Abstract

Background: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are the cornerstone of any health system, yet they regularly face occupational hazards that may compromise their physical, psychological, and emotional well-being. In primary healthcare centers (PHCs) across Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, there has been limited comprehensive assessment of the risks HCWs face, their familiarity with safety policies, and the effectiveness of current occupational health and safety (OHS) measures.
Objectives: This study aimed to explore the occupational hazards experienced by HCWs in PHCs, assess their familiarity with and perceptions of OHS policies, and identify factors associated with their awareness and attitudes toward workplace safety.
Methods: A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted among 370 HCWs working in PHCs under three health clusters in Riyadh. Data were collected on demographic and work characteristics, exposure to workplace hazards, OHS training, access to safety resources, and perceptions of OHS policies. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 28, and chi-square tests were applied to identify significant associations (p < 0.05).
Results: The most commonly reported occupational exposures among healthcare workers (HCWs) in Riyadh PHCs were to infectious diseases (35.1% sometimes), poor air quality (35.7% sometimes), and work-related stress (32.4% sometimes; 15.1% very often). Notably, burnout or emotional exhaustion was experienced very often by 15.1% of participants, making it the highest among psychosocial risks. Regarding awareness, only 11.9% of HCWs reported being extremely familiar with occupational health and safety (OHS) policies, while 35.7% were moderately familiar. As for perceptions of OHS policy effectiveness, only 10.5% rated the policies as extremely effective, and 35.4% considered them moderately effective. This suggests a generally cautious or lukewarm attitude toward current workplace safety protocols.
Conclusion: Healthcare workers in Riyadh’s primary healthcare centers face many occupational risks, with unsatisfactory familiarity with safety policies and variable access to protective resources. While training coverage is generally strong, sustained improvements in policy engagement, hazard mitigation, and institutional support are essential to enhance workplace safety and resilience.

Key words: Occupational health, healthcare workers, primary healthcare centers, workplace safety, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, policy perception, hazard exposure.