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Die ontwikkeling van ’n veiligheidsmodel ten opsigte van die gebruik van persoonlike beskermende toerusting in die beroepsveiligheidsomgewing
Author(s)
Schoeman, Johann Petrus
Date Issued
2013
Type
Thesis
Publisher
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Abstract
The economical impact of occupation-related diseases and injuries places an immense financial
burden on the inhabitants of a country and its industry. There is little doubt that the human factor
is the single most important contributing factor to critical work-related accidents. Safety measures
in the field of occupational health and safety are normally implemented according to a specific
hierarchy, whereby the use of personal protective equipment is seen as the last outcome to
protect workers against accidents and disease. However, there is little doubt that the correct use
of personal protective equipment can protect a worker against injury and even death.
The purpose of this research was to address a limitation through the development of a risk
model that is specifically aimed at the application of personal protective equipment in the field of
occupational health and safety. This model informed the factors influencing the use of personal
protective equipment, and is instrumental in the prevention of unsafe behaviour at work.
This documented method of research analysed various risk models from previous research studies
in order to develop a new model, the Factor Integration Model (FIM). This model consists of
five components each with its own specific elements that are interrelated. Each element has a
specific value that was determined by 20 local and international experts in the field of occupational
health and safety.
The 54 elements of the model were used to create an electronic Excel®-based questionnaire,
namely the Electronic Risk Categorising Package (ERK). The ERK can be utilised to categorise
the worker`s use of personal protective equipment into a low, low medium, high medium and
high risk scale. The utilisation and efficiency of ERK were tested at six different industries by
comparing the categorisation of ERK with that of the supervisors. In order to prevent research
bias, neither the researcher nor the supervisors were familiar with each other’s categorisations.
The results were compared and the ERK showed a correct categorisation of the use of personal
protective equipment in 75% of the cases. It was further found that in the cases where the prediction
was not 100% correct, the ERK noted the borderline cases and the human factor of
wrong prediction by the supervisor had to be considered.
The research concluded that the use of personal protective equipment is influenced by various
factors and should not be seen in isolation. The role of both management of a company and
human behavioural change should never be underestimated. The ERK is a useful aid to predict
risk behaviour as well as the use of personal protective equipment in the occupational health
and safety field.
burden on the inhabitants of a country and its industry. There is little doubt that the human factor
is the single most important contributing factor to critical work-related accidents. Safety measures
in the field of occupational health and safety are normally implemented according to a specific
hierarchy, whereby the use of personal protective equipment is seen as the last outcome to
protect workers against accidents and disease. However, there is little doubt that the correct use
of personal protective equipment can protect a worker against injury and even death.
The purpose of this research was to address a limitation through the development of a risk
model that is specifically aimed at the application of personal protective equipment in the field of
occupational health and safety. This model informed the factors influencing the use of personal
protective equipment, and is instrumental in the prevention of unsafe behaviour at work.
This documented method of research analysed various risk models from previous research studies
in order to develop a new model, the Factor Integration Model (FIM). This model consists of
five components each with its own specific elements that are interrelated. Each element has a
specific value that was determined by 20 local and international experts in the field of occupational
health and safety.
The 54 elements of the model were used to create an electronic Excel®-based questionnaire,
namely the Electronic Risk Categorising Package (ERK). The ERK can be utilised to categorise
the worker`s use of personal protective equipment into a low, low medium, high medium and
high risk scale. The utilisation and efficiency of ERK were tested at six different industries by
comparing the categorisation of ERK with that of the supervisors. In order to prevent research
bias, neither the researcher nor the supervisors were familiar with each other’s categorisations.
The results were compared and the ERK showed a correct categorisation of the use of personal
protective equipment in 75% of the cases. It was further found that in the cases where the prediction
was not 100% correct, the ERK noted the borderline cases and the human factor of
wrong prediction by the supervisor had to be considered.
The research concluded that the use of personal protective equipment is influenced by various
factors and should not be seen in isolation. The role of both management of a company and
human behavioural change should never be underestimated. The ERK is a useful aid to predict
risk behaviour as well as the use of personal protective equipment in the occupational health
and safety field.
Additional information
Thesis (DTech (Omgewingsgesondheid))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2013
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