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having trainees read about these procedures or Provide Refresher Training
merely listen to a description. Films and
demonstrations are useful in modeling the
desired behavior, but it is important to have
the trainee actively replicate what was just
witnessed.
Allow Time for Adjustment
Wearing a respirator for the first time can be
a strange and even traumatic experience for
the new user, particularly if the user is given
a respirator and immediately put to work.
The barriers of respirator usage noted earlier
(such as labored breathing and impaired
vision) coupled with the demands of the job
may be too great for many first-time users,
increasing their intolerance to the respirator
and reducing the likelihood of future
compliance.
Allow the user to gradually adjust to the
respirator by wearing it for short periods in a
relaxed, non-work setting. Tell new users
that it is normal to feel a little strange and
frightened the first time they wear a
respirator. This information lets them know
that their initial adverse reaction does not
indicate a chronic personal intolerance to
respirators and that their tolerance will
improve. Once users become accustomed to
the physical and psychological effects of
wearing a respirator, it will be easier for them
to perform their normal work routine.
Provide Feedback
Give feedback to workers during the initial
training and in the workplace to tell them what
they are doing right or wrong. The feedback
should always be positive, constructive, and
specific. Thus comments such as “keep up the
good work” or “good job” (although compli-
mentary) provide little information. Instead say
“good job in replacing your filter” or “John, you
need to remember to check your seal every time
you put on your respirator.” The point is not to
criticize or punish the individual but to provide
corrective instruction.
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Establish a schedule for periodically evaluating
on-the-job performance and providing re-
fresher training when indicated. Such training
is needed because unfortunately, the effects of
training do not last forever. Forgetting or re-
lapse occurs over time—especially if the behav-
iors are not frequently practiced or rehearsed
(that is, respirators are worn only occasionally),
if the behavior is costly and complex (for ex-
ample, inspection and maintenance), and if
continuous monitoring and corrective feedback
are not provided.
Tips For Reducing Resistance And
Tips For Reducing Resistance And
Promoting Safety Behaviors
Promoting Safety Behaviors
No matter how much time and effort are put
into developing a respiratory protection
program, it is doomed to fail if workers do not
wear the equipment properly under the
prescribed conditions. Workers fail to wear
respirators for a number of reasons, and it is
nature of this
important to understand the
resistance to overcome it. The following are
the most frequently cited reasons for not
wearing respirators:
1) They are hot and uncomfortable.
2) They produce “pain spots” if poorly
fitted.
3) They interfere with communication
and performance.
4) They are not easily accessible when
you need them.
5) They put the burden of safety on the
wearer rather than the company.
6) They make the wearer look “funny,”
alarmist, not macho, or unattractive.