Friends, Kindly give reasons for people not using required personal protective equipment at work or otherwise ? Regards. Kesava Pillai
From India, Kollam
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256From India, Kollam
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Dear Sir,
The reasons behind the non-usage of PPEs are as follows:
1. Overconfidence
2. Provision of inferior quality PPEs by employers to their workers
3. Inadequate training
4. Lack of enforcement from management
5. Insufficient supervision
6. Work pressure
7. Availability of resources
These are the reasons that come to mind at the moment. I hope to learn more about the technical reasons from you!
With regards,
Dipil
From India
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The reasons behind the non-usage of PPEs are as follows:
1. Overconfidence
2. Provision of inferior quality PPEs by employers to their workers
3. Inadequate training
4. Lack of enforcement from management
5. Insufficient supervision
6. Work pressure
7. Availability of resources
These are the reasons that come to mind at the moment. I hope to learn more about the technical reasons from you!
With regards,
Dipil
From India
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Dear Dipil. Thanks for your attempt. You are in the right track though your answer is incomplete. Let us wait for few more days. I assure you to post the right answer. Regards, Kesava Pillai
From India, Kollam
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From India, Kollam
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Hi,
Let me add some points as well:
1. As rightly said by Dipil, overconfidence.
2. Not feeling comfortable.
3. Supervisors not providing them.
4. Feel it as a burden and useless because they argue, "Does wearing a helmet guarantee that my head is safe?" - with stupid excuses like "I just removed it."
5. Lack of knowledge about correct PPEs and procedures to use.
6. Behavior.
Regards,
Hansa
From India, Udaipur
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Let me add some points as well:
1. As rightly said by Dipil, overconfidence.
2. Not feeling comfortable.
3. Supervisors not providing them.
4. Feel it as a burden and useless because they argue, "Does wearing a helmet guarantee that my head is safe?" - with stupid excuses like "I just removed it."
5. Lack of knowledge about correct PPEs and procedures to use.
6. Behavior.
Regards,
Hansa
From India, Udaipur
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Dear kesava sir & dipil. Really i m despirate to know the reasons. this will help us to know about there way of thinking & help in finding out root causes. Regards, Hansa
From India, Udaipur
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From India, Udaipur
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I would like to address something more on my commend:
The lack of supervision is itself the prime reason. The supervisor only allows a person to start the work without the required quality PPE's. Further, if the supervisor puts enforcement in place, then the non-use of PPE may not even occur.
Secondly, if the worker is new to the industry or from a village, they may not be used to wearing the PPE's. This also can be one of the contributory reasons.
With regards,
Dipil
From India
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The lack of supervision is itself the prime reason. The supervisor only allows a person to start the work without the required quality PPE's. Further, if the supervisor puts enforcement in place, then the non-use of PPE may not even occur.
Secondly, if the worker is new to the industry or from a village, they may not be used to wearing the PPE's. This also can be one of the contributory reasons.
With regards,
Dipil
From India
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Dear Dipil,
You have some good points, and your approach is on the right track, but it is incomplete. What we need here is a safetyman's perfect or near-perfect answer. Often, others look at safety people only for advice. He is supposed to have the last word in safety, and he should be equipped with it. We can wait a little more time to close it.
Regards,
Kesava Pillai
From India, Kollam
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You have some good points, and your approach is on the right track, but it is incomplete. What we need here is a safetyman's perfect or near-perfect answer. Often, others look at safety people only for advice. He is supposed to have the last word in safety, and he should be equipped with it. We can wait a little more time to close it.
Regards,
Kesava Pillai
From India, Kollam
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Dear Sir,
Awaiting your post with the perfect answer...
Adding one more point to my answer, please:
Lack of understanding the responsibility towards safety may be another reason. Most workers think that looking after safety and making the job safe is the job of safety officers, supervisors, and engineers. In this case, the workers fail to understand the concept that safety is an individual's responsibility. By providing quality PPEs to the employees, the employer is on the safe side; now it's their responsibility to make the right use of it. Simply put, the concept of "Accountability" should be percolated down to the worker level. I think we have discussed the concept of accountability in this same forum as a reply to another post of yours.
With regards,
Dipil Kumar V
From India
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Awaiting your post with the perfect answer...
Adding one more point to my answer, please:
Lack of understanding the responsibility towards safety may be another reason. Most workers think that looking after safety and making the job safe is the job of safety officers, supervisors, and engineers. In this case, the workers fail to understand the concept that safety is an individual's responsibility. By providing quality PPEs to the employees, the employer is on the safe side; now it's their responsibility to make the right use of it. Simply put, the concept of "Accountability" should be percolated down to the worker level. I think we have discussed the concept of accountability in this same forum as a reply to another post of yours.
With regards,
Dipil Kumar V
From India
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Dear Friends, Attached please find the factors responsible for non-usage of ppe. Regards, Kesava Pillai
From India, Kollam
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From India, Kollam
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Basically, it is attitude. People feel that it is for the company. The major cause is that the superiors don't want to be role models; they will ignore, and they want the juniors to comply.
In my career, I have seen one great leader in a Pharma company. Every individual entering the work spot needs to wear the uniform along with the cap. The chief is very aggressive. One day, he entered the work spot without a cap. Most of the people observed but were unable to tell him. One employee straight away went and told him that he was without a cap in the work spot. Everybody felt that this guy would be fired, but to the surprise of all, he went out and returned back with a cap on his head. At 5 pm in the evening, there was a gathering, and in the meeting, the boss tendered apologies to all for entering the work spot without a cap and gave one small gift (procured with his own money) to the employee who had reminded him. I have not seen him without a cap anymore in the work spot, and neither have the supervisors. Finally, it is the commitment of the superiors for implementing, and the punishment system should also be very stringent in the Indian scenario.
Regards - Kameswarao
From India, Hyderabad
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In my career, I have seen one great leader in a Pharma company. Every individual entering the work spot needs to wear the uniform along with the cap. The chief is very aggressive. One day, he entered the work spot without a cap. Most of the people observed but were unable to tell him. One employee straight away went and told him that he was without a cap in the work spot. Everybody felt that this guy would be fired, but to the surprise of all, he went out and returned back with a cap on his head. At 5 pm in the evening, there was a gathering, and in the meeting, the boss tendered apologies to all for entering the work spot without a cap and gave one small gift (procured with his own money) to the employee who had reminded him. I have not seen him without a cap anymore in the work spot, and neither have the supervisors. Finally, it is the commitment of the superiors for implementing, and the punishment system should also be very stringent in the Indian scenario.
Regards - Kameswarao
From India, Hyderabad
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Dear kraos, Good job done by ur company.this kind of motivation will you to build safety culture. Keep it up. Regards, hansa vyas
From India, Udaipur
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From India, Udaipur
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Hi Vyas,
The best thing you need to do is to form a safety committee. The committee members will be provided with pink slips (should be 1 + 1), and all the committee members will carry the slips with them while on duty. Whenever they find a violation, they will issue a slip to the respective person, regardless of their position (from the Head of the unit to contract labor). On a daily basis, they will send a report to the safety officer with a copy to HR.
The Safety Head should propose actions in consultation with the safety committee members once a month. The Security team is also empowered to verify if employees are wearing safety shoes. If not, they should not be allowed to work. Alternatively, safety shoes spares should be provided at the gate.
The HR, HOD, and Safety Incharge need to calculate the non-compliance ratio of each employee and recommend appropriate measures at the year-end. When non-compliance affects employees financially, everyone will adhere to safety requirements. Apart from taking action against non-compliant individuals, rewards and recognition should be considered for employees who consistently use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Announce gifts for employees who regularly use PPE on the annual safety day.
Implementing the above steps may enhance PPE usage. HR plays a significant role in implementing new processes within the organization.
Regards - Kameswarao.
From India, Hyderabad
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The best thing you need to do is to form a safety committee. The committee members will be provided with pink slips (should be 1 + 1), and all the committee members will carry the slips with them while on duty. Whenever they find a violation, they will issue a slip to the respective person, regardless of their position (from the Head of the unit to contract labor). On a daily basis, they will send a report to the safety officer with a copy to HR.
The Safety Head should propose actions in consultation with the safety committee members once a month. The Security team is also empowered to verify if employees are wearing safety shoes. If not, they should not be allowed to work. Alternatively, safety shoes spares should be provided at the gate.
The HR, HOD, and Safety Incharge need to calculate the non-compliance ratio of each employee and recommend appropriate measures at the year-end. When non-compliance affects employees financially, everyone will adhere to safety requirements. Apart from taking action against non-compliant individuals, rewards and recognition should be considered for employees who consistently use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Announce gifts for employees who regularly use PPE on the annual safety day.
Implementing the above steps may enhance PPE usage. HR plays a significant role in implementing new processes within the organization.
Regards - Kameswarao.
From India, Hyderabad
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Dear Friends,
There is no magic. While I was working on construction projects, I found no one entering the site without mandatory PPE. Everyone will strictly use other PPE too as and when required. Please see the attached PPT. You will understand the reason.
Again, check the "MANAGERIAL STRATEGIES ADOPTED FOR LAPSES ON THE PART OF WORKERS FOR NOT USING PPE." You will identify the issue and then suggest a cure too.
Regards,
Kesava Pillai
From India, Kollam
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There is no magic. While I was working on construction projects, I found no one entering the site without mandatory PPE. Everyone will strictly use other PPE too as and when required. Please see the attached PPT. You will understand the reason.
Again, check the "MANAGERIAL STRATEGIES ADOPTED FOR LAPSES ON THE PART OF WORKERS FOR NOT USING PPE." You will identify the issue and then suggest a cure too.
Regards,
Kesava Pillai
From India, Kollam
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Dear Sir,
Please comment on rank order as well. Providing relevant replies to the queries will maintain the interest of the participants in the discussions. Since you are willing to share your expertise, kindly give relevant responses to the queries to ensure we can sustain the rhythm in the discussions.
Now, I would like to hear your comments on the following issue:
The site has a speed limit of 20 km/hr. How would you suggest implementing this?
1. Installing speed breakers at various locations within the plant.
2. Implementing a stringent accountable system?
With regards,
Dipil Kumar V
From India
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Please comment on rank order as well. Providing relevant replies to the queries will maintain the interest of the participants in the discussions. Since you are willing to share your expertise, kindly give relevant responses to the queries to ensure we can sustain the rhythm in the discussions.
Now, I would like to hear your comments on the following issue:
The site has a speed limit of 20 km/hr. How would you suggest implementing this?
1. Installing speed breakers at various locations within the plant.
2. Implementing a stringent accountable system?
With regards,
Dipil Kumar V
From India
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Dear Dipil and Hansa Vyas,
In psychological research we use rank order. This is to show the order of priority or importance, maximum to minimum, highest to lowest and so on.
In order to rate the importance of perceived reasons through research we have to consider many factors. The adopted factor in this particular study is the “reasons expressed by maximum to minimum number of employees and staff interviewed for not using ppe.” Close agreement was found between the priorities assigned by two different reasons and thus fall under the same ranking but split.
Our rank order shows the “perceived reason expressed by maximum number of subjects as Sl.# -1and minimum of personnel as Sl.#-16.
Hope this clarifies your doubt.
Regards,
Kesava Pillai
From India, Kollam
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In psychological research we use rank order. This is to show the order of priority or importance, maximum to minimum, highest to lowest and so on.
In order to rate the importance of perceived reasons through research we have to consider many factors. The adopted factor in this particular study is the “reasons expressed by maximum to minimum number of employees and staff interviewed for not using ppe.” Close agreement was found between the priorities assigned by two different reasons and thus fall under the same ranking but split.
Our rank order shows the “perceived reason expressed by maximum number of subjects as Sl.# -1and minimum of personnel as Sl.#-16.
Hope this clarifies your doubt.
Regards,
Kesava Pillai
From India, Kollam
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Dear Mr. Keshav Pillai,
According to the Rank Order Concept, Rank Order 16 states the NON-USE OF PPE BY SUPERVISORS/MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL. This issue is identified as the primary reason for the lack of personal protective equipment usage among individuals.
Please feel free to provide any corrections or feedback.
Best regards,
Dipil Kumar V
From India
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According to the Rank Order Concept, Rank Order 16 states the NON-USE OF PPE BY SUPERVISORS/MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL. This issue is identified as the primary reason for the lack of personal protective equipment usage among individuals.
Please feel free to provide any corrections or feedback.
Best regards,
Dipil Kumar V
From India
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Dear Keshav Pillai,
Please provide your comments on the following:
The site has a speed limit of 20 km/hr. What would you suggest for its implementation?
1. Installing speed breakers at various locations inside the plant.
2. Establishing a tight and accountable system where everyone must adhere to plant safety rules.
Please note that the site's safety standards are based on Behavioral-Based Safety.
With regards,
Dipil Kumar V
From India
Acknowledge(0)Amend(0)
Please provide your comments on the following:
The site has a speed limit of 20 km/hr. What would you suggest for its implementation?
1. Installing speed breakers at various locations inside the plant.
2. Establishing a tight and accountable system where everyone must adhere to plant safety rules.
Please note that the site's safety standards are based on Behavioral-Based Safety.
With regards,
Dipil Kumar V
From India
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Another point I may add is “Culture”
The Culture in general sense, what we adopt from surroundings. (Co- others / Management Staff and line supervisors). Even a worker who has been regularly using PPE in his earlier establishment, comes and join this unit where no one bothers about PPE and every one talks about production / numbers, after few days he also change his behavior of not wearing PPE.
To reinforce the behavior of using appropriate PPE by workmen at site, is to give positive appreciation by every one from top mgt, supervisor and co worker, whenever passing through the side of the workmen, for using appropriate PPE for the appropriate work stations. This positive appreciation after some time changes the entire culture of using PPE inside. Make sure that appropriate type / size of PPE are made available for all workmen for any time.
I strongly believe that any at risk behavior by any workmen in side the shop floor, is basically due to wrong / enforcement of system and procedure for which Management is responsible. In fact I put my argument with the management in one occasion ‘when one of the alleged misappropriations of cash, by a clerk in accounts department was reported’ I said it is the total system and procedure negligence / failure in accounts department, for which the Manager- Accounts responsible. The Manager- Accounts was fired.
Babu Alexander
9940 689889
From India, Madras
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The Culture in general sense, what we adopt from surroundings. (Co- others / Management Staff and line supervisors). Even a worker who has been regularly using PPE in his earlier establishment, comes and join this unit where no one bothers about PPE and every one talks about production / numbers, after few days he also change his behavior of not wearing PPE.
To reinforce the behavior of using appropriate PPE by workmen at site, is to give positive appreciation by every one from top mgt, supervisor and co worker, whenever passing through the side of the workmen, for using appropriate PPE for the appropriate work stations. This positive appreciation after some time changes the entire culture of using PPE inside. Make sure that appropriate type / size of PPE are made available for all workmen for any time.
I strongly believe that any at risk behavior by any workmen in side the shop floor, is basically due to wrong / enforcement of system and procedure for which Management is responsible. In fact I put my argument with the management in one occasion ‘when one of the alleged misappropriations of cash, by a clerk in accounts department was reported’ I said it is the total system and procedure negligence / failure in accounts department, for which the Manager- Accounts responsible. The Manager- Accounts was fired.
Babu Alexander
9940 689889
From India, Madras
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Dear Sir,
I agree with your point. I personally know people who come from MNCs where the culture dictates that even for climbing staircases, one should use the hand railing after wearing the provided hand gloves from their PPE kit. Even if one holds the handrail without wearing the hand gloves, it seems to be a violation. Those who come from such an environment may not even use handrails while descending or ascending. This highlights the power of "culture."
Thanks and keep on sharing your expertise with us.
Best regards, [Your Name]
From India
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I agree with your point. I personally know people who come from MNCs where the culture dictates that even for climbing staircases, one should use the hand railing after wearing the provided hand gloves from their PPE kit. Even if one holds the handrail without wearing the hand gloves, it seems to be a violation. Those who come from such an environment may not even use handrails while descending or ascending. This highlights the power of "culture."
Thanks and keep on sharing your expertise with us.
Best regards, [Your Name]
From India
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Personal Protective Equipment.zip
Personal Protective Equipment.pdf
Performance Test Reports of Respiratory Personal Protective Equipment as per BIS Standard.docx