Abstract
IntroductionThe present study investigated the effect of interventions aiming to improve attitudes toward the use of respiratory protective equipment (RPE), knowledge of RPE and the use of RPE in the Norwegian smelter industry.MethodThe surveys received 567 respondents to baseline and 240 respondents 2 weeks after the intervention. Participants were invited to either a fit-testing of respirators [Group 1] or a fit-testing combined with a lecture on exposure [Group 2], health effects and RPE. The control group [Group 3] received no training. Questionnaires containing measures of subjective knowledge, attitudes and behavior regarding RPE use were assessed.ResultsTesting indicated an improvement in knowledge of RPE and a reduction in perceived inconveniences regarding the use of RPE for both intervention groups. Group 1 showed an improvement in attitudes and organizational support, while intervention Group 2 showed an improvement in subjective norms related to RPE use. Intention to use or rate of respirator use was not shown to change significantly for any group using paired testing. Regression analysis indicated that participation in either intervention influenced intention to use respirators. The effect was significant for Group 1 and was marginally significant for intervention Group 2.ConclusionThe results indicate that interventions can increase workers’ knowledge and attitudes, and reduce perceived inconvenience regarding the use of respiratory protective equipment. However, even though some variables seemed to positively change, reported respirator use did not improve for either groups participating in the study. It may be that physical barriers with regards to using RPE, such as fogging of protective goggles, sweating, breathing and communication issues outweigh individual attitudes, intentions and social pressure to use respirators.Practical ApplicationsThe tailored course and practical training in RPE use in the current intervention can be applied in the smelting industry to provide up to date information on dust exposure, health effects and protective equipment. Some adjustments may be warranted for the content to fit specific risks and exposures of other industries. However, the general pedagogical framework of the educational material regarding health effects and RPE should be useful for most heavy industries.
Highlights
The present study investigated the effect of interventions aiming to improve attitudes toward the use of respiratory protective equipment (RPE), knowledge of RPE and the use of RPE in the Norwegian smelter industry
The overall goal of this study was to improve the rate of RPE use in the Norwegian smelter industry through a tailored knowledge-based intervention comprising a seminar on dust exposure and health effects and/or RPE fit-testing
The present study investigated the efficacy of a knowledgebased intervention containing two treatments aimed to increase workers’ knowledge and their general attitudes toward respiratory protective equipment (RPE) and their use
Summary
The present study investigated the effect of interventions aiming to improve attitudes toward the use of respiratory protective equipment (RPE), knowledge of RPE and the use of RPE in the Norwegian smelter industry. Depending on the end product and production processes, these exposure factors vary both qualitatively and quantitatively between smelters, but the respiratory risk they represent is of general concern for the industry. 98% of the employees at Norwegian smelters reported that they were exposed to one or more respiratory health risk factors more than once a week (Hegseth et al, 2018). According to the hierarchy of controls, the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) should be the final solution to end respiratory challenges. Some exposure cannot be controlled by engineering or administrative solutions, making personal protective equipment a necessity. All Norwegian smelters have included the use of respiratory protective equipment (RPE) in their health and safety regulations. Sub-optimal RPE use has been reported in other professions such as nursing, farming, mining, construction and nuclear energy (Salazar et al, 2001; Carpenter et al, 2002; Bryce et al, 2008; MacFarlane et al, 2008; Mitchell and Schenker, 2008; Tam and Fung, 2008; Han and Kang, 2009; Guseva Canu et al, 2013)
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