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Piloting a personal protection equipment distribution program among Chicago day laborers
Elizabeth Contreras1, Susan Buchanan
1Division of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health, 2121 West Taylor Street, Chicago, IL 60607, USA.
American Journal of Industrial Medicine
|December 14, 2011
Summary
Providing personal protective equipment (PPE) and training increased its use among day laborers, potentially reducing occupational injuries. This intervention showed high usage rates for most PPE items.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Workplace Safety Interventions
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Efficacy
Background:
- Day laborers face high occupational injury rates, up to 31%.
- Inadequate use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is a significant factor in these injuries.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the impact of providing PPE and training on its use among day laborers.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a PPE intervention in a high-risk occupational group.
Main Methods:
- Distribution of nine essential PPE items in duffel bags to Chicago day laborers.
- Provision of training on the correct use of PPE.
- Follow-up surveys conducted 4-8 weeks post-distribution to assess PPE usage.
Main Results:
- Of 117 participants, 42 completed follow-up surveys.
- Gloves, safety glasses, and respirators were the most frequently used PPE items.
- Hardhats, coveralls, and earplugs were the least utilized PPE.
Conclusions:
- The distributed PPE was used in 94% of jobs, with all nine items seeing some use.
- Hearing protection (earplugs) was underutilized.
- Providing PPE with training can enhance its use among day laborers, likely preventing workplace injuries.
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