An evaluation of factors affecting hazardous waste workers' use of respiratory protective equipment

The purpose of this study was to describe the perceptions of a group of hazardous waste workers about their workplace hazards and to understand their beliefs and attitudes about the use of respiratory protective equipment (RPE). There were two phases of data collection: (1) interviews to identify factors that influence respirator use and (2) a written survey to evaluate the importance of these factors. This article describes the findings from the written survey completed by 255 eligible respondents (return rate = 46.5%, 255/548). Subjects used a weighting system to score 18 identified factors that influence the use of RPE. Scores were compared according to type of respirator, frequency of use, and associated health symptoms. The factors that had the most positive influence on respirator use were concern about work exposure, fit-testing, and training. The most negative influences were communication, personal comfort, effect on vision, structural environment, and fatigue. More frequent users (once per month or more) were significantly more likely to view fit-testing, health effects, and effects on vision negatively than were less frequent users. Persons who reported health symptoms associated with respirator use had more negative scores than persons without health symptoms. Workers categorized as laborers were more likely to be frequent respirator users and to wear supplied-air respirators, and were significantly more likely to view vulnerability to disease negatively, than were other worker groups. The findings from this study indicate that respiratory protection programs must extend beyond training and education; to be maximally effective, health professionals must be responsive to the specific concerns of the workers.