Determinants of Employee use of Personal Protective Equipment, the Case of Spedag Interfreight Uganda Limited, Kampala

Author(s): Mildred Ayikoru, Christopher Ddamulira, David R Mutekanga

In organizations where neglect of safety gears is common, there are high risks of work-related accidents which can be catastrophic. It is against this backdrop that this study was conducted to assess the determinants of use of personal protective equipment (PPE) at the global interfreight clearance agency SPEDAG based at their premises in Kampala, Uganda. Specifically the study was to establish the level of utilization and the determinants for use of such PPE. The study collected quantitative data using questionnaires from a random sample and qualitative data from purposively selected members of top management (Key informants). The results show a relatively high level (70.1%) use of PPEs, a high positive attitude (95%) towards PPE use and a high (95%) availability of guidelines or policies regarding use of PPEs. The results show that the use of the PPE is taken as pertinent and necessary among the employees. These results were confirmed by the qualitative results from the key informants. The authors concluded that continuous sensitization and sustained availability of guidelines and policies must be strongly supported to maximize use of PPEs. The major recommendation is that policy makers in consultation with work safety practitioners should design policies that are sensitive to the perceptions of the users for effective improved use of PPE.