Original Research Article
Year: 2020 | Month: January | Volume: 7 | Issue: 1 | Pages: 21-26
Compliance in the Use of Personal Protective Equipment by Welders in Delta State, Nigeria
Obarhoro O.I1, Nwufo C.R1, Nworu B1, Ibe S.N.I1, Iwuala C.C1, Ede A1, Ebirim C.I.C1, Iwuoha G1, Azuamah Y.C2
1Department of Public Health, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria
2Department of Optometry, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria
Corresponding Author: Obarhoro O.I
ABSTRACT
Welders are exposed to physical and chemical hazards that can lead to injuries. This study was carried out in Delta State, Nigeria to investigate the compliance of welders toward the use of personal protective equipment required for their work. The study was a descriptive study carried out in Delta State, Southern Nigeria. The multi-stage sampling technique was used to select the subjects used for this study. A well-structured questionnaire was used to obtain information from the welders. Data collected was uploaded into the Statistical package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21 and analysis was done using the chi-square at 0.05 level of significance. A total of 390 welders were interviewed in this study. Results on the compliance of welders with recommended guidelines for enforcement of the use of personal protective equipment showed that 244 (62.6%) were aware of the compliance guidelines on the use of personal protective equipment, 146(37.4%) were not; 200(82%) of the welders complied with the recommended guidelines on the use of personal protective equipment. On the barrier to the use of PPE, 140(35.2%) reported lack of training on the use of PPE, followed by inadequate quantity of PPE with 80(20.5%). For the PPE used, 225(57.7%) said they used eye goggles, 70(17.9%) said coverall and the least was nose mask with 10(2.6%). The data was analyzed with chi-square test and showed that there is statistically significant relationship (X2 = 233.893a; DF = 3; P < 0.05) between age group and use of personal protective equipment among welders. It also showed significant relationship (X2 = 233.893a; DF = 3; P < 0.05) between level of education and use of personal protective equipment among welders. In conclusion, there is low level of knowledge among welders due to their poor educational background on the use of personal protective equipment. Health education on welding and its health effects was recommended for welders.
Keywords: Welders, Personal Protective Equipment, Hazards, Compliance, Guidelines
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