The Impact of Facility Modernization on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Compliance among Workers

ABSTRACT

Background: In various industries like healthcare, pharmaceuticals, construction, agriculture, food and beverage, the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is essential. The primary reason for the use of PPE is to safeguard workers from potential risks, protect them from workplace hazards that could lead to injuries or health issues.
Objective: This research investigated the impact of facility modernization on compliance with PPE use among workers within a manufacturing setting. The study aimed to determine how changes in infrastructure, training programs, management support, and the availability of PPE affected workers’ behaviour towards safety practices.
Method: A mixed-methods approach was used for the study. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected from 2023(pre-upgrade) and 2024(post-upgrade). The data collected was to evaluate changes in behaviour, effectiveness of training, the level of management support, and the availability of PPE. Both correlation and regression analyses were conducted to determine the relationships between these variables and compliance with PPE uses.
Result: The results obtained showed that despite improvements in infrastructure, training, and supply, non-compliance rose from 70.14% to 73.96%. Correlation and regression analyses showed that increased availability and training alone did not lead to behaviour change, as weakened management enforcement and reduced risk perception played larger roles. Regression results (R² = 0.88) confirmed that perceived risk and management support explained a significant portion of compliance variability. Thematic analysis of open-ended responses identified comfort concerns, inconsistent PPE distribution, and weak supervisory oversight.
Conclusion: Findings highlighted that upgrades to physical infrastructure must be coupled with behavioural strategies, strong leadership commitment, and targeted training programs in order to achieve lasting improvements in PPE compliance.

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