Use Of Personal Protective Equipment Research Articles

Turning crisis into opportunity: A comprehensive review on the application of personal protective equipment (PPE) waste in asphalt pavement construction for sustainable development

The widespread outbreak of diseases such as COVID-19 has significantly increased use and disposal of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Plastic-based PPE wastes, including masks, gloves, and gowns, have caused severe environmental pollution. Recycling PPE waste in asphalt pavement construction is a promising solution for advancing sustainable development strategies. This study reviews significant findings from existing literature concerning the utilisation of PPE wastes in bitumen and asphalt. The review encompasses several aspects: (1) Clarification of the research background and current challenges; (2) Examination of disinfection processes for PPE wastes; (3) Assessment of recycling methods for incorporating PPE wastes into bitumen and asphalt; (4) Evaluation of the effect of incorporating PPE wastes on the performance of bitumen and asphalt mixture; (5) Discussion of the current research limitations and recommendations for future studies. Compelling evidence from this review suggests that PPE wastes are viable and sustainable construction materials for asphalt pavement applications.

A Study on the Use of Personal Protective Equipment among Construction Workers in Türkiye

This study examines the habits and attitudes of construction sector employees in Türkiye regarding the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). A comprehensive face-to-face survey was conducted with 398 randomly selected employees from small- and medium-sized construction companies across various regions of Türkiye. The survey aimed to identify the frequency of PPE usage and the factors influencing its use and to provide actionable suggestions for improving PPE compliance. The results indicate that while a majority of workers recognize the importance of PPE, actual usage rates are inconsistent. Key factors affecting PPE use include the ergonomics and comfort of the equipment as well as worker perceptions and attitudes. Notably, the study found that the discomfort associated with PPE and the belief that it slows down work pace are significant barriers to its regular use. Additionally, the research highlights the need for a robust punishment–reward system to enforce PPE compliance and suggests that more stringent legislative measures are required to enhance occupational health and safety (OHS) standards in the construction industry. This study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by providing a detailed analysis of PPE usage in the Turkish construction sector and offering practical recommendations for policymakers and industry stakeholders. Implementing these suggestions can lead to improved worker safety and reduced occupational accidents.

Respiratory signs and symptoms due to dust exposure in wheat mill workers

Objective: Describe the respiratory signs and symptoms presented in workers exposed to dust in a wheat mill in Venezuela. Methods: Descriptive, field, non-experimental and cross-sectional design; SNOT-22, ATS-DLD-78A questionnaire and physical examination were applied. Results: The identified symptoms consisted of sneezing, subsequent rhinorrhea, wheezing and dyspnea, however, they predominated in the positions with lower exposure to dust (p-value <0.05). The use of personal respiratory protective equipment and joint exposure to chemical vapors imply the presence of anterior rhinorrhea; and wheezing episodes two or more times a year occurred with a greater number of hours exposed to dust (p-value=0.028). Conclusion: The level of exposure did not have statistical significance with upper respiratory manifestations except in cases where there was joint exposure to chemical vapors; however, recurrent wheezing was related to the hours of exposure to dust.

HUBUNGAN KEPATUHAN PENGGUNAAN APD DAN PERILAKU K3 MENINGKATKAN KINERJA KARYAWAN

This study aims to determine the relationship between compliance with the use of Personal Protective Equipment(PPE) and K3 behavior on employee performance at PT. Enam Prakarsajaya Mandiri. The research method used is quantitative research with a cross-sectional approach. The population used is employees of PT. Enam Prakarsajaya Mandiri, the sample used by 123 respondents through the sampling method used, namely the sampling technique with certain considerations. The analysis technique used is SPSS 25. The results of this study show that there is a relationship between K3 behavior and compliance with PPE use on employee performance. This research will be an input for PT. Enam Prakarsajaya Mandiri continues to be committed to improving the quality of K3 training and facilities to achieve good K3 behavior and compliance with the use of PPE. Because of the high behavior of K3 and compliance with the use of good PPE will improve employee performance which is the ticket to the success of all businesses.

Analysis of Skin Disorders Among Traditional Fishermen in Tanjung Balai, Asahan District

<div><table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="left"><tbody><tr><td align="left" valign="top"><p><em>Skin disorders are diseases often found in the community caused by fungi, bacteria, viruses, and marine life characterized by rashes, itching, and others. Traditional fishermen are a group of people at high risk of skin disorders due to exposure to seawater, unhygienic working environment conditions, incomplete behaviour of using fishermen's protective equipment when working and personal hygiene behaviour classified as harmful. This study aims to analyze skin disorders among traditional fishermen in Tanjung Balai, Asahan District. The research employs a quantitative, analytical survey with a cross-sectional design. The study was conducted in Tanjung Balai, Asahan District, from August 2023 to March 2024. The research population consisted of all traditional fishermen, totalling 110, 110 traditional fishermen, with the sample taken based on the total population of 110 fishermen in Tanjung Balai, Asahan District. The sampling technique used was total sampling. Data collection was conducted using using questionnaires that have been tested for validity, reliability, and observation. Data analysis involved two steps: univariate analysis using descriptive statistics and frequencies and bivariate analysis using the chi-square test with a significance level of 95% (p-value ≤ 0.05). The statistical analysis results indicated significant associations between skin disorders and factors such as duration of work (p=0.001), use of personal protective equipment (p=0.038), and fishermen's hygiene (p=0.014). It is recommended that traditional fishermen use complete personal protective equipment and maintain better personal hygiene after working to prevent the occurrence of skin disorders.</em></p><p><em> </em></p></td></tr></tbody></table></div><p><strong><em>Keywords: Skin disorders, traditional fishermen</em></strong></p>

Assessment of airborne infection control practices at health care facilities of Tumkur District, Karnataka: A descriptive study

IntroductionTuberculosis (TB) is a major health hazard in India and is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Airborne transmission of infectious disease is a major public health concern. Adherence to the airborne infection control (AIC) is crucial to prevent spread of TB among patients who visit health care facilities and among the health care staff. ObjectivesTo assess the airborne infection control practices at health care facilities of Tumkur Methodology: This descriptive study was conducted in 85 public health institutes in 5 TB units of Tumkur. Data was collected using pre-tested; semi-structured questionnaire through personal interview, verification of records and inspection using WHO check-list. ResultsThe present study showed infection control committee and infection control plan were present in 97.65% and 90.59%, clinical staff underwent periodic TBIC training in 91.76% of PHIs. Waiting area and sputum sample collection area were well-ventilated in 97.65% & 97.65% of PHIs. Health workers practiced hand hygiene in 90.59%, PPEs were available in 85.06% PHIs. ConclusionThe study concludes that, airborne infection control measures which includes administrative, environmental, and use of personal protective equipment were satisfactory among the PHIs but still there is scope for improvement.

Prevalence and burden of asthma among US working adults by industry and occupation—United States, 2020–2021

Objectives Assess the prevalence of current asthma, asthma attacks/episodes, and asthma-related emergency room (ER) visits by industry and occupation and estimate the proportion of current asthma cases associated with employment during 2020–2021. Methods The 2020–2021 National Health Interview Survey data for persons aged ≥18 years who were employed at any time during the 12 months prior to the interview were analyzed. Results An estimated 12.7 million US working adults had current asthma. Of those, 40% had an asthma attack/episode and 8.6% had an asthma-related ER visit. Prevalence varied by sociodemographic characteristics, industry, and occupation. Highest asthma prevalence was among workers in the administrative, support, waste management, and remediation industry and the community and social services occupation. Nearly half of workers with current asthma in the arts, entertainment, and recreation industry and arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media occupations reported having an asthma attack/episode. Workers in the accommodations and food services industry and food preparation and serving related occupation had the highest asthma-related ER visits. The proportion of current asthma cases attributable to employment was estimated to be 9.2% by industry and 12.2% by occupation. Conclusion An estimated 1.2–1.5 million asthma cases among workers might be attributable to employment by industry and occupation. Disparities in asthma prevalence, asthma attacks/episodes and asthma-related ER visits among workers exist. These findings underscore the importance of early identification of asthma cases in relation to work and implementation of targeted interventions (including, training and education, personal protective equipment use, health surveillance, workplace policies), especially among workers employed in industries and occupations with elevated asthma prevalence.

Reducing personal protective equipment waste in the emergency department of a large regional hospital: codesign informed by system science

BackgroundThis study aimed to bring together health workers from an emergency department (ED) and broader health system changemakers to cocreate a system-oriented understanding of the drivers of single-use personal protective...

Simulation-Based Enhancement of Patient Safety During Intrahospital Transport of Trauma Patients With COVID-19: A Helipad Scenario.

Trauma resulting from accidents, violence, or war claims over five million lives annually, with traffic accidents and falls being predominant causes. The COVID-19 pandemic has posed unprecedented challenges in trauma care. Even though the number of injuries decreased during the lockdown period, the transportation of trauma patients became even more challenging due to concerns aboutinfection control and the need for enhanced protective measures. This simulation workshop was conducted in a controlled environment to test and refine protocols for the safe transport of trauma patients with COVID-19. Our goal was to develop comprehensive guidance on the intrahospital transportation of these patients, ensuring the highest level of patient care and safety. We detail a five-step approach from preparation to the pre-landing, initial assessment, patient transfer, and patient handover phases, emphasizing adherence to protocols, equipment readiness, and personal protective equipment (PPE) use. The primary issues we encountered were related to time management, the decision-making process for applying lifesaving procedures in an open environment, and the risk of cross-infection. The workshop underscored the importance of swift and coordinated care, balancing life-saving interventions with efficient transport to a definitive care facility.

Comparing the Pulmonary-Spirometry In Laboratory Workers Who Wear Acchadana® and KN95® Masks

BACKGROUND : The upper respiratory tract is susceptible to inflammation caused by exposure to airborne contaminants, particularly chemical irritants. Inhaled irritant gases can lead to various symptoms and adverse reactions in the respiratory tract. Laboratory workers are at a high risk of respiratory tract inflammation due to exposure to volatile chemicals. The use of personal protective equipment (PPE), such as masks, is essential to prevent inflammation and protect the respiratory tract. Lung function tests using spirometry, including Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Forced Expiratory Volume in One Second (FEV1.0), and Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF), can help identify abnormalities in lung function. AIMS : The primary objective of this investigation is to juxtapose the pulmonary conditions of laboratory workers before and after the utilization of KN95® masks and Acchadana® masks. METHOD : The study design was a Randomized Control Trial, and the subjects were divided into two groups: the control group wearing KN95 masks and the treatment group wearing Acchadana® herbal masks. Spirometry measurements were taken before and after using the masks, and statistical analysis was conducted to compare the results. RESULT : The results showed that both mask groups experienced improvements in lung function parameters after using the masks. However, the KN95 mask group showed better lung conditions compared to the Acchadana® mask group. CONCLUSION : Spirometry tests conducted on lab workers revealed improved lung function metrics (including FVC, FEV1.0, and PEF) following the usage of KN95 masks and Acchadana® herbal masks. The KN95 mask users exhibited superior respiratory health compared to the other group in this investigation.

Risk Management in Palm Fruit Harvesting Activities using the Hirarc Method PT. Prima Artha Dynamics

Risk Management in Palm Oil Fruit Harvesting Activities Using the Hirarc PT method. Prima Artha Dynamics. This research is motivated by a source of danger in oil palm fruit harvesting activities with the risk of work accidents in oil palm fruit harvesting activities. Therefore, the aim of this research is to analyze the main causes of the risk of work accidents in oil palm fruit harvesting activities, to analyze the severity of the risk of work accidents in oil palm fruit harvesting activities, To determine the steps taken to control the risk of work accidents in oil palm fruit harvesting activities. This research uses the HIRARC (Hazard Identification Risk Assessment Risk Control) method, namely by identifying sources of danger, analyze the level of risk and risk control efforts. Data was obtained through interviews with 18 harvest employees. From the results of this research, there are main causes that are a source of danger and risk for oil palm fruit harvesting activities, namely slippery land, palm fruit bunches, sharp objects, palm fronds, snake droppings/powder, centipedes and wasps. The main causes that are the source of danger and the occurrence of risks have a mild level of risk, namely falling/slipping, being hit by fruit when removing fruit to TPH, being hit by fronds during harvest, falling into the eyes of droppings, being stung by centipedes and being stung by wasps and for moderate risks, namely being injured/injured by sharp objects. Efforts to control the risks of oil palm fruit harvesting activities include the use of complete Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), upaya lain yang dilakukan adalah pembersihan lahan yang semak agar tidak menjadi sarang ular.

Identification of Potential Hazards in Occupational Safety and Health Among Rice Milling Workers at UD. Lestari

Occupational health and safety (OHS) is crucial for safeguarding workers' well-being and preventing workplace accidents and diseases. This study explores OHS hazards at UD Lestari, an informal sector rice milling operation in Semarang City, Indonesia. The research employed a descriptive qualitative approach, conducting interviews, observation, and measurements from April to May 2024. The aim of this study was to identify various OHS hazards present in UD. Lestari's rice milling operations. This research found that all respondents experienced respiratory problems (100%) and 3 people (50%) experienced hearing problems, attributed to inadequate use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and smoking habits. Dust levels inside the production area exceeded permissible limits (8.04 mg/m3), posing risks of respiratory diseases. Similarly, noise levels surpassed recommended thresholds (93.26 dB), increasing the likelihood of hearing loss. This study contributes valuable insights into enhancing workplace safety and underscores the importance of ongoing efforts to safeguard worker health in informal sector industries. Future research should explore additional factors influencing OHS outcomes to further enhance workplace safety practices and employee well-being.

Faktor yang Berhubungan dengan Kepatuhan Penggunaan Alat Pelindung Diri pada Pekerja Bengkel Las di Kecamatan Kota Soe

Welding workshops operating in Soe City District on average employ around 4-6 people with a minimum education of elementary school-graduate level. The welding process using electric power exposes workers directly to the dangers in the workplace. It is necessary to have Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) worn by workers while working and while in the workplace environment. The aim of this research is to determine factors related to compliance with the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) among welding workshop workers in Soe City District. Sampling in this study used simple random sampling with a sample size of 94 people. Analysis of this relationship uses the chi square test as an alternative test. The research results show that there is a relationship between knowledge (p value=0.004), attitude (p value=0.001), availability of personal protective equipment (p value=0.008), and there is no relationship between education (p= value= 0.642), age (p value=0.294), and work accidents (p value=0.483) with compliance with the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) among welding workshop workers in Soe City District.

Regional variation in the interpretation of contact precautions for multi-drug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria: a cross-sectional survey

Contact precautions are recommended when caring for patients with carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE), carbapenemase-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CPPA), and extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales (ESBL-E). Our aim was to determine the interpretation of contact precautions and associatedinfection prevention and control (IPC) measures in the non-ICU hospital settingfor patients with CPE, CPPA or ESBL-E in 11 hospitals in the Southwest of the Netherlands. A cross-sectional survey was developed to collect information on all implemented IPC measures, including use of personal protective equipment, IPC measures for visitors, cleaning and disinfection, precautions during outpatient care and follow-up strategies. All 11 hospitals were invited to participate between November 2020 and April 2021. The survey was filled together with each hospital. All hospitals installed isolation precautions for patients with CPE and CPPA during inpatient care and day admissions, whereas 10 hospitals (90.9%) applied isolation precautions for patients with ESBL-E. Gloves and gowns were always used during physical contact with the patient in isolation. Large variations were identified in IPC measures for visitors, cleaning and disinfection products used, and precautions during outpatient care. Four hospitals (36.4%) actively followed up on CPE or CPPA patients with the aim of declaring them CPE- or CPPA-negative as timely as possible, and two hospitals (20.0%) actively followed up on ESBL-E patients. Contact precautions are interpreted differently between hospitals, leading to regional differences in IPC measures applied in clinical settings. Harmonizing infection-control policies between the hospitals could facilitate patient transfers and benefit collective efforts of preventing transmission of multi-drug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria.

Characterization and assessment of exposure risks of healthcare personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Healthcare personnel have the right to decent, healthy, and safe working conditions during COVID-19. Despite our best efforts to safeguard them against SARS-CoV-2 infection, a substantially large number of healthcare personnel fell ill and succumbed to COVID-19. This study aimed to characterize the SARS-CoV-2 exposures among healthcare personnel and determine the risk level of those events, thereby identifying and focusing on the key areas that influence workplace safety. A pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect data from healthcare personnel on the type of exposure, place, and use of preventive measures, along with demographic and occupational data. Exposure events were categorized into low, moderate, and high-risk by using a risk categorization protocol. Doctors were primarily found to be involved in the aerosol-generating procedure, which had 94 times higher odds (95% CI: 43.9926-201.17) for high-risk exposures than other activities. In contrast, nurses were more likely to experience close-contact exposures (OR: 2.77, 95% CI: 1.44-5.33). Both critical care units and operation theaters were identified to have higher odds (OR: 2.34, 95% CI: 1.33-4.23 and OR: 2.31; 95% CI: 0.99-5.42, respectively) than the wards for high-risk exposures. Use of personal protective equipment was poor, with breaches reported in 10.2% of all exposure events. The lacunae in practice were addressed by repeated training and counseling and by ensuring the adequacy of resources in required areas. The assessment was beneficial for safeguarding healthcare personnel and assuring a safer workplace during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Penerapan 5r Area Produksi Paving Blok di PT. Duta Beton Mandiri Purwosari

Duta Beton Mandiri is a Duta Bangsa Group company based in Pasuruan Regency. PT. Duta Beton Mandiri is a manufacturing company that was founded in 2008 and operates in the building materials or concrete industry. We implement 5R (Care, Neat, Clean, Diligent, Concise) and work safety (K3) at the PT paving stone production site. Duta Beton Mandiri is a strategic initiative to increase production efficiency while maintaining a safe and healthy work environment. The aim of this research is to evaluate the implementation of the 5R and K3 principles and to conduct an audit to determine compliance with applicable K3 standards. Research methods include direct observation of production sites, interviews with employees, and analysis of relevant materials. Research shows that implementing the 5R principles reduces waste and optimizes resource use. In addition, efforts to implement K3 have increased awareness of risk factors and reduced work accidents. However, there is still much room for improvement, especially in terms of increasing the use of personal protective equipment and machine maintenance.

Assessing personal protective equipment usage and its correlation with knowledge, attitudes, performance, and safety culture among workers in small and medium-sized enterprises

BackgroundThe use of personal protective equipment (PPE) should be a culture of a workplace, and deeply rooted in worker behavior and attitude during their practice. According to the recent studies only 64% of the workers use PPE properly. The present study aims to investigate the utilization of PPE among workers in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and its relationship with knowledge, attitude, performance, and safety culture among workers.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was carried out using a questionnaire tool across SMEs in Kashan city in year 2023. The used tool included three questionnaires: demographic, safety culture, and knowledge, attitude and performance. Study papulation was 529 SMEs. Totally, the sample size was 369 persons and questionnaires were distributed among the workers of SMEs. Finally, SPSS software was used for statistical analysis and structural equation modeling. Various statistical tests including T-Test, ANOVA, RMSEA, CFI, TLI, and the chi-square ratio were employed.ResultsThe mean values (standard deviation) of age and work experience were 35.19 (12.33), and 15.60 (1.69) years, respectively. Among the 369 participants, 267 participants (72.4%) indicated that they use some PPE, although not all types. However, 102 individuals (27.7%) do not employ any PPE. The lowest score for safety culture dimension was attributed to safety training at 1.58. The results of the final model indicate that the assumed relationships between variables, as outlined in the study objectives, were well established, with all connections proving statistically significant.ConclusionIt can be concluded that the missing of inadequate legal supervision for small industries exists. Therefore, it can be inferred that if supervision and regulation are enhanced for safety training and implementation that may lead to increased usage of PPE.

Occupational health problems among waste collectors in a metropolitan city: a cross-sectional study

Waste collectors are often exposed to various occupational problems. This study aims to assess occupational health problems of waste collectors and personal protective equipment use in Kathmandu Metropolitan City. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2022 among 158 household waste collectors. Data was collected using a self-constructed questionnaire through face-to-face interviews from April to September 2022. Twelve wards were randomly chosen among all thirty-two wards, and all workers from the selected wards were included in the study. Data entry was done in Epi-data, and analysis was in the SPSS version 25. The chi-square test measured the association between demographic and occupational diseases. Occupational diseases such as musculoskeletal disorders (65.2%), physical injuries (61%), gastrointestinal tract infections (18.4%), and skin allergies (32.9%) were reported. Almost all workers used masks and gloves. Sociodemographic factors such as age and musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) showed significant association (p-value=0.001). Additionally, variables like sex showed a significant association with occupational health problems, such as disease faced by waste collectors (P-value of 0.049). Similarly, other variables like educational status and using separate clothing at work (p-value 0.004), changing clothes daily (p-value, <0.01), work experience and bathing daily after work (p=0.01), and changing clothes (p=0.003) also showed a significant association. Our study showed that almost all workers experienced occupational diseases. These findings highlighted the need to emphasize occupational health within municipal solid waste management to develop a safer and healthier work environment for waste collectors.

The Effectiveness of Occupational Health and Safety Practices in Public Technical Training Institutes

The study aimed to evaluate the extent of occupation-related injuries and accidents, the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) training, and awareness and implementation of OHS policy among Technical Training Institutes (TTIs). The study used qualitative and quantitative methods to analyze data from 99 final-year trainees, including 47 auto mechanics, 24 electricians, 16 welders, and six OHS focal persons. Data was collected through self-administered questionnaires and in-depth interviews and analyzed using SPSS-16 and MAXQDA-2020. The study revealed a commendably low rate of hazards in training institutes (TTIs), with a mere 10.26% and a mean score of 2.1. This positive outcome, a testament to the high awareness of OHS and PPEs, should give reassurance about the current state of OHS practices in TTIs. The training system was a resounding success, with a mean rating of 4.09 for trainees' understanding and use of PPEs. However, the study also identified areas for improvement, particularly the urgent need for improved monitoring and management support. This need for immediate action is crucial for sustaining and enhancing these standards, and it should make the audience feel the urgency of the situation. [Abstract continued in PDF]

TV medical dramas: assessing the portrayal of public health in primetime.

The influence of medical dramas could extend beyond the realm of entertainment and potentially strengthen/orient the knowledge, attitudes and hopefully practice of health professionals and the public, despite often depicting unrealistic medical outcomes and scenarios. This study examined the portrayal of public health issues in two popular international medical series, "Grey's Anatomy" and "House, MD," selected for their awards and viewership ratings. Individual episodes were double-rated by clinicians for patient characteristics, public health issues, and infection risk management. 94 episodes with 286 clinical cases were analyzed. A wide range of conditions and pathologies were depicted, with a focus on acute clinical events, trauma and mental disorders, which contrasts with real-life causes of hospitalization and highlight the dramatization in these series. Public health issues such as organ donation and substance abuse were frequently addressed, but prevention and health promotion received little attention. Proper use of personal protective equipment was mostly observed, although hand hygiene was underrepresented. The study highlights the dual role of medical dramas as an entertainment medium and a potential educational tool. While they can raise awareness and encourage healthier behavior, their portrayal of medical practices and patient care often deviates from reality and can create unrealistic expectations. The influence of these dramas also extends to viewers' perceptions of healthcare and medical professionals, underscoring the need for accurate and responsible portrayal of health issues in the media.