Personal protective equipment: Strategies and recommendations for increased use through adaptation to users

Research Project, 2020 – 2022

Inappropriate use or non-use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) causes many work-related injuries and health problems. The injuries that could have been prevented by the correct use of PPE continue to occur. This highlights limitations in earlier research which was mainly done in work environments different from today's Swedish conditions. This project includes an in-depth analysis of the reasons behind inappropriate use or non-use of PPE by different user groups in Swedish organizations, and develops strategies, guidelines, and recommendations for increased use through adaptation to the users, tasks, and contexts.

To do so, conditions, perceptions and behaviours towards PPE use will be studied through empirical studies in the construction and shipbuilding industry. Data collection will be done by observations, interviews and focus groups. In the analysis, a design driven HTO perspective (Human, Technology, and Organization) is applied to identify generalizable findings. Expected results include in-depth insights into non-use or inappropriate use of PPE within the Swedish work context.

The results from the empirical study will be used to develop feasible strategies for organizations.  These strategies will help organizations to increase the use of suitable PPE in different work conditions. Such strategies are expected to improve the appropriate use of PPE which can consequently reduce occupational injuries and accidents.