Exploring Cues to Action as Motivators to Increase PPE Compliance among Wastewater Workers

1032 

Professional Poster 

T Wright¹

¹Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA

Dr. Tamara Wright, Dr.P.H., M.P.H.  
Georgia Southern University

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is a significant factor that can reduce or decrease the probability of an accident from hazardous exposures to chemicals and microbial contaminants. Researchers have suggested that one of the best techniques to improve health outcomes is through the use of health behavior theories. Several studies have utilized health behavior models to develop interventions to increase PPE compliance. The focus of this study was to determine if a construct from the Health Belief Model (HBM), titled cues to action (i.e., safety posters throughout the facility, reminders from supervisors to wear PPE) could be predictors that can increase PPE compliance among wastewater workers. Several studies have been conducted to promote health behavior models within the workplace, to date, there has not been a study that has explored cues to action to increase PPE compliance among wastewater workers until now. This study sought to examine wastewater worker's beliefs and practices on wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) and to determine if cues to action are predictors to increase PPE compliance.

Wastewater workers are exposed to several occupational hazards which include: physical (i.e., excessive noise levels, repetitive movements), chemical (i.e., exposure to sodium bisulfite, chlorine), and biological hazards (i.e., Bloodborne pathogens). Long-term exposures to these hazards put wastewater workers at a higher risk of contracting an occupational illness through a viral infection as well as being at a higher risk of developing cancer. To protect wastewater workers from these occupational hazards, compliance with personal protective equipment (PPE) guidelines is very imperative. Despite its importance to reduce wastewater workers from occupational hazards, oftentimes, wastewater workers may be reluctant to wear PPE.

In 2018, a sample of wastewater workers was acquired through internet search and contact with the facilities managers via email or telephone. For participants in GA, the questionnaire was administered in person, and for areas outside of GA, the survey was administered through SurveyMonkey. All participants agreed to the informed consent before participating in the study (n=272). A 51-item self-administered questionnaire assessed wastewater workers practices and beliefs on wearing PPE. The questionnaire asked questions in 4 sections which included: knowledge of occupational exposures and PPE at their facilities (Section 1), HBM constructs on wearing PPE and contracting an occupational illness (Section 2), management's decisions on enforcing PPE (Section 3), and demographics (Section 4). The dependent variable is PPE compliance and the independent variables (predictors of PPE compliance) is the items from the cues to action section of the questionnaire.

The Statistical Analysis System (SAS), version 9.414 was used to analyze all data. Cronbach's Alpha was conducted to test for internal consistency of the variables that were being measured. Frequency distributions were conducted to characterize all the variables through PROC SURVEYFREQ. A multiple linear regression model was constructed to examine cues to action as predictors to increase PPE compliance through PROC SURVEYREG. P-values < 0.05 were considered as statistically significant. This study yielded a low response rate (25%) that was calculated by dividing the number of wastewater workers that completed the questionnaire by the overall number of wastewater workers from each facility. Since this study was self-administered, social desirability may have biased the responses. Additionally, this study used a convenience sample, so precaution should be exercised when generalizing these results.

We discovered that 5 out of 9 items were significantly associated with PPE compliance: 1) a reminder from the supervisor every day about wearing PPE; 2) a supervisor checking on the employee to ensure they are wearing PPE; 3) the supervisor setting the example by wearing PPE; 4) posters serving as reminders to wear PPE; and 5) seeing others wearing PPE. Considering the findings from this research, behavior change interventions should focus on determining the effect that safety posters throughout the facility, co-workers wearing PPE, and supervisors exemplifying the importance of wearing PPE, will encourage wastewater workers to wear PPE. Regarding safety trainings, more engaging methods should be utilized, by emphasizing the importance of cues to action to address preventative measures and addressing the risk of contracting an occupational illness if wastewater workers are noncompliant with PPE regulations. Future research should also focus on determining which specific cues to action are proven to be the most successful so that they can be implemented within the wastewater industry to increase PPE compliance.

Protective Clothing and Equipment/Respiratory Protection

Communication and Training

Safety Management