From the cleaning person to the physician, the working conditions of the personnel in many health care institutions are absolutely poor, especially in public hospitals. They are working under unsafe and unhygienic circumstances. In most cases, the personnel is unaware of the many biological, physical, chemical and social risks they are running every day. By this the percentages of occupational accidents and illnesses are relatively high in this sector.

	A cleaning person shows his puncture wound that he got from handling a plastic refuse bag in which also used needles were discarded. Photo: Huize Aarde
	Employees of a hospital have to lift heavy and open containers (with possibly contagious body parts and fluids) very high to empty them into the incinerator. Photo: Huize Aarde
	This employee of the laundry is sorting freshly with blood contaminated linen from the surgery in the corridor of the hospital. Photo: Huize Aarde
	A physician and a lab assistant of the pathological laboratory doesn’t have any means to avoid contact with hazardous fluids and gases. They doesn‘t possess exhaust chambers and safety showers. Photo: Huize Aarde
	As previous picture: all kinds of hazardous chemicals are stored unsafely and after their use they are dumped into the sewer. Photo: Huize Aarde
	Environmentally very toxic photo chemicals are only partly recycled and partly drained into the sewer system. Photo: Huize Aarde
	This nurse (at the right) has to prepare anti cancer medicines without sufficient personal protection. She has only reused gloves to her disposal. Chemotherapy chemicals belong to the most toxic substances, used in the hospital. Photo: G. Koren, MST.
	Equipment for air conditioning makes much noise, contains hazardous chemicals and is without maintenance. The loose electric wires are causing short cuts and therefore are a fire hazard. Photo: Huize Aarde
	As previous picture. Photo: Huize Aarde
	Also in the laundry most of the equipment is not functioning due to lack of maintenance. This photo, taken behind a large washing machine, shows that the equipment is not cleaned regularly. Photo: Huize Aarde