Problems encountered by Foskor mine workers with the use of personal protective equipment

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to find out problems encountered by Foskor Mine workers in Phalaborwa with the use of personal protective equipment and also to find out how these problems can be prevented or solved. A quantitative research study was done using a questionnaire as a data gathering tool on workers who are exposed to occupational injuries and illnesses and who use personal protective equipment for their protection. The findings revealed that even though workers were using personal protective equipment they still got occupational injuries and illnesses. They also had problems with their protective equipment like incompatible types of personal protective equipment, such as weight where heavy personal protective equipment like boots were issued and very hot or cold personal protective equipment incompatible with the temperature of the environment. Some personal protective equipment like gloves were of a wrong size and caused allergy. In some instances unavailability of or unsuitable personal protective equipment posed challenges to these workers.