Occupational Safety: PPE Use and Hazard Experiences among Welders in Valencia City, Bukidnon

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the significant difference on occupational hazards and the use of personal protective equipment when respondents are grouped according to their length of service and type of training undertaken among welders in Valencia City, Bukidnon. The study employed a quantitative approach utilizing a descriptive-comparative research design. Using non-probability sampling, 46 formally trained welders and another 51 informally trained welders in Valencia City, Bukidnon, were chosen as the respondents for this study. In the demographic profile, the findings showed that the majority, or 54%, of the respondents had 0 to 5 years of experience in terms of their length of service. Based on the statistical data, it was revealed that the level of experience in occupational hazards for both formally trained and informally trained welders was low. Additionally, the level of use of personal protective equipment (PPE) for formally trained welders was high, while for informally trained welders, it was moderate. When the test of difference was executed, the finding showed that the experience of occupational hazards does not differ when grouped according to the types of training undertaken. This denotes that formally and informally trained welders equally experience welding-related occupational hazards. Moreover, another finding showed that the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) differed according to the type of training undertaken. This finding suggests that formally trained welders are more likely to adhere to prescribed safety protocols and utilize recommended PPE, indicating a stronger awareness of occupational hazards and a deeper understanding of the importance of protective measures. Furthermore, the finding revealed that welders’ experience of occupational hazards differs by length of service. This denotes that veteran welders encounter a higher level of occupational hazards compared to their less-experienced counterparts. Subsequently, the last finding revealed that there is no significant difference in the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) among the welders when grouped according to length of service. The researchers recommend that the emphasis on PPE compliance might be ingrained uniformly across all levels of experience, reflecting a robust culture of safety consciousness and an understanding of the indispensable role of protective gear in mitigating occupational risks.