Utilization of Personal Protective Equipment and Associated Factors among Building Construction Workers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 2019

Abstract BackgroundPersonal Protective Equipment (PPE) is a material, device, equipment or clothing which is used or worn by a worker to protect them from exposure or contact with any harmful material or energy which may cause injury, disease or even death. The use of personal protective equipment is a universal legal requirement to protect workers against occupational injuries and illnesses in their workplace. The international labor office estimates that every year there are some 125 million work-related accidents, 220, 000 of them are fatal. This study assessed personal protective equipment utilization and associated factors among building construction workers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 2019.MethodsInstitution based cross-sectional survey was conducted on the selected construction sites in April 2019. Data was collected by using pre-tested Amharic questioner from 206 study subjects with a response rate of 100% via face to face interviews. Epi info version 7.1 and SPSS version 25 were used for data cleaning and analysis respectively. Independent variables with P<0.2 were transformed from bivariate to multivariate logistic regression. P<0.05 and was declared as an associated factor.ResultsThis study showed that (38.3%) of construction site workers were used at least one personal protective equipment. Presence of safety training, safety brief before commencing work and the availability of governmental visits were associated factors for utilization of personal protective equipment. Regarding, the type of injuries that occur on a majority of workers were abrasion (35%) and climbing at high was the common cause of injury. ConclusionsPPE utilization and safety measure in construction industries is insignificant and construction site workers are not adapted to take care of themselves as it manifested by low use of PPE. An effort for occupational safety assurance should be put in practice to avoid accidents on building a site with an unconditional commitment to all the projects. Riddance of hazards and deterrence of accidents on-site should be within the proficiency of each site. The client should be involved in safety management coupled with having a great craving for safety.