Gap Analysis of Occupational Safety and Health Regulation and Implementation for Non-Healthcare Workers in Healthcare Facilities

Vollständiger Abstract

Worum geht es in dieser Arbeit?

This study analyzes the gap between regulation and implementation regarding occupational health and safety (OHS) protections for non-medical workers (e.g., cleaning staff, security personnel, and administrative staff) in healthcare facilities, grounded in universal labor protection principles. Employing a normative-juridical approach and a systematic literature review, the study examines the legal framework, empirical studies, and academic discourse concerning OHS in the healthcare sector. The findings indicate that despite the existence of comprehensive and universal OHS regulations, implementation remains uneven and tends to marginalize non-medical personnel—particularly outsourced workers—who often lack access to safety training, personal protective equipment, and incident reporting mechanisms. Outsourcing practices emerge as a primary structural factor causing a fragmentation of responsibility between hospitals and service providers, thereby undermining accountability. Challenges identified include weak managerial commitment, a safety culture focused predominantly on clinical aspects, and limited oversight of outsourced personnel. The study recommends strengthening OHS provisions in outsourcing contracts, enhancing labor inspections, and integrating all workers into hospital safety management systems. Furthermore, it introduces the concept of "silent vulnerability" to characterize the marginalization of non-medical workers within healthcare safety systems, thereby enriching academic scholarship in the fields of occupational health and labor law.