Occupational Health and Safety Training: Perceptions of Barriers and Needs Among Municipal Urban Cleaners and Their Supervisors/Managers; A Qualitative Study Across 5 European Countries

Municipal Urban Cleaners (MUCs) perform an essential yet hazardous work, but evidence on how to design Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) training that truly reflects their real-world barriers, risks, and learning needs remains limited. This qualitative study, conducted as part of the MUC-Training for Health initiative, explored barriers, occupation-attributed health implications, perceptions, and attitudes toward OHS, and training needs. Ten focus groups were held with 74 MUCs and their supervisors/managers across 5 European countries, and the data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Participants identified substandard working facilities, insufficient or unsuitable equipment, understaffing, inconsistent safety practices, limited knowledge of protective measures, and inaccurate information as major barriers. Both psychosocial and physical risks were frequently emphasized. Across all settings, tailored, practical, and motivating face-to-face training was viewed as essential. Designing effective OHS training requires a nuanced understanding of MUCs' daily realities, occupational risks, and preferences to ensure engagement, accessibility, and relevance.