One of the problems connected with the use of personal protective equipment

(PPE) at the workplace is frequent lack of its acceptance by its users. This is usually
because this equipment causes various kinds of problems. With regard to PPE against
falls from a height, these are dynamic spine loads during fall arresting, with regard to eyes
and face protectors and respiratory system protection—a reduction of the visual field and
perception of visual signals while using spectacles, goggles, and full-face masks. It is vital
for protective clothing, shoes, and gloves to eliminate difficulties connected with sweat
evaporation and heat abstraction, movement restriction, and dexterity. Acceptance of all
protectors by their users mainly depends on the weight, shape, and size of the protectors,
which should be carefully chosen; elasticity of fabrics, their flexibility, and comfort
experienced by the users. That is why when designing PPE, it is so important consider
not only properties determining optimal protection level against selected factors, but also
ergonomic aspects ensuring comfort when this equipment is used (Koradecka,2009).
In addition, work accidents can be caused by many factors such as older age,
working period is not long, working time exceeds the load, less knowledge and
noncompliance use of personal protective equipment (PPE) (Suma’mur, 2014). As the
last resort of prevention, when no other approach is feasible, or when the degree of safety
achieved by other options is considered inadequate, personal protective equipment (PPE)
can be used by exposed workers as means of prevention of exposure to hazards (Alli,
B.O., 2008). Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) entails reliance on active
cooperation and 8 compliance by the worker (Alli, B.O.,2008). Therefore, it is cardinal that
the workers are aware of the health hazards present in their work environment and the
reason why they should protect themselves. In addition, for PPE to be effective, it is
important to ensure that the workers know the right type of PPE to be used and that it is
used in the correct way for the periods when the worker is exposed to harmful substances
or situations (International Labour Office, Overview and Philosophy of Personal
Protection, 2011).
Furthermore, literature has shown that welders in small scale enterprises lack the
knowledge on proper use of protective measures and are least aware of health effects
emanating from the activities and materials in their work environments (Adewoye, K.R.,
et al. 2013, Kumar, S.G., A. Dharanipriya, and K. S.S., 2013). Notwithstanding that
personal protective equipment is considered as the last resort for control of hazards in a
workplace, to be used only when other possible engineering and management controls
have been put in place, it stands out as the most decent measure of protection for welders
in small enterprises where conventional occupational safety control principles remain a
challenge to implement (International Labour Office, Overview and Philosophy of
Personal Protection, 2011). Awareness of proper use of PPE, occupational hazards being
avoided and the related health effects is therefore cardinal among the welders, lack of
which may have an influence on the effectiveness of the PPE.
Welders are exposed to a variety of occupational hazards with untoward health
effects. (Sabitu K, Iliyasu Z, Dauda M., 2009). In order to minimize exposure and
consequently the health risk, the World Health Organization (WHO) (Goldstein G, Helmer
R, Fingerhut M., 2001) and the ILO suggest the use of Personal Protective Equipment
(PPE): overalls, gloves, goggles, and boots (Takala J., 2005; Feola G, Binder CR., 2010)
The high rate of injuries in Nigeria has been reported to be due to low or non-use of PPE
as only a small percentages of welders were reported to use PPE when working. Safety
standards which guide welding occupation are either lacking or not adhered to in most
parts of the country (Omolase C, Mahmoud A., 2007). There is therefore need for health
and safety education programs that focus on prevention of the hazards of welding, since
awareness and attitude towards these hazards are important factors in their prevention.
It has been reported that most Nigerian workers learn knowledge and skills regarding
safety from co-worker’s and employers which implies that most workers are not trained
or educated on the health hazard associated with the jobs, how to manage the risk and
use of personal protective equipment at the point of entry at work (Bankole AR., 2010).
Welders are exposed to a variety of occupational hazards with untoward health
effects and awareness of these hazards and the attitude towards them are important
factors in the prevention of these hazards (Sabitu K, Iliyasu Z, Dauda M., 2009).
Therefore, to minimize the economic loss and personal tragedies, priority should be given
to prevention of occupational related injuries through education (Omolase C, Mahmoud
A., 2007). Health education brought about a significant increase in awareness and use of
PPE. Regular health education needs to be given to all cadres of workers in their
workplaces on the use of PPE to reduce occupational related injuries. (Umoren, Q. M.,
Ekanem, U. S., Johnson, O. E., & Olugbemi, M. O., 2016)