AN investigation of Queensland hospitals has found shocking and dangerous conditions for patients and staff.

Key hazards uncovered include: infectious waste in public areas; pregnant women exposed to defect-causing viruses; staff endangered by cancer-causing chemicals and communicable diseases; syringes disposed of in laundry.

The Workplace Health and Safety report also raises security concerns, including baby-snatching fears.

As a result of the investigation, two of Brisbane's largest hospitals are likely to be examined next year.

Investigators went through seven central Queensland hospitals with a fine-toothed comb.

They found many problems were not being dealt with because the people in charge were overworked.

Workplace Health and Safety director Gary Chaplin said: "We're confident the report would be an indicator of problems in all hospital environments."

The hospitals audited were the Rockhampton Base and Mater, Mackay Base and Mater, Gladstone, Barcaldine and Longreach.

The findings include a litany of alarming instances of infection risk and general danger to health-care workers and patients.

No hospital had infection control guidelines for pregnant women. But the report raised concerns about their exposure to the herpes-like disease cytomegalovirus, which can cause birth defects, and chickenpox, which can be fatal for non-immune pregnant women.

Staff, particularly in housekeeping, were found to be at risk of exposure to drugs with carcinogenic properties through poor handling procedures.

Facilities in one ward were shut down immediately as a result of the investigation.

Pharmacy workers were not aware of proper handling procedures, warning labels were left off in some cases and housekeeping and laundry staff were exposed to contaminated linen.

One hospital suggested protection against biological hazards was a matter of choice for workers.

Five of the hospitals stored clinical waste in public areas.

At one hospital, some staff were uncertain about isolation procedures when faced with a suspected case of tuberculosis.

Catering staff unnecessarily risked exposure to infection.

The Queensland Nurses Union said the report backed its long-term complaints, which were being addressed.

Occupational Health and Safety Officer Amanda Richards said the Health Department was preparing a response to the report.