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wear a respirator, the worker must see that the ben-
7) They produce labored breathing, efits of respirator use outweigh the barriers. The
increased heart rate, and perspiration. first step in this direction is the training program,
which describes workplace hazards, their conse-
8) They impair vision and can actually quences, and the role of respirators in reducing
be a safety hazard. these hazards. Although different models exist for
presenting this information, one of the most popular
9) They produce feelings of claustro- is the Health Belief Model developed by Becker
phobia and anxiety. [1974]. To use this model to foster respirator use, a
worker must:
In addition to these numerous barriers to
working while wearing a respirator, the Feel susceptible to the disease or
benefits (that is, the avoidance of disease) may condition related to the hazard
seem remote. Furthermore, since air contam- The worker must understand that the disease is
inated with infectious droplet nuclei have no related to exposure, and that symptom onset
over-whelming noxious properties or physical may be delayed. In explaining TB, tell the
effects, there is no immediate consequence for worker how the inhaled droplet nuclei from an
not wearing a respirator except that the user infectious person’s cough or sneeze lodge
feels better without it. Therefore, the program themselves in the alveoli of the lungs, where
manager must work hard to overcome worker infection begins. No immediate symptoms will
resistance to wearing respirators and promote occur as the infection spreads to other areas in
full compliance with the respiratory protection which TB is most likely to develop. The immune
program. system usually intervenes within 2 to 10 weeks
after infection and halts the multiplication of
Safety Management
tubercle bacilli. Approximately 10% of those
For a worker to behave safely, three conditions infected will develop the disease. The other 90%
must be met: (1) the worker must have the nec- will remain infected but free of disease for the
essary knowledge, skills, and ability; (2) the rest of their lives. Many workers do not feel
worker must be properly motivated; and (3) susceptible because they have no firsthand
the worker must receive the necessary environ- experience with TB and do not understand how
mental and organizational supports. it develops. Cause and effect must be established
in a straightforward, concrete fashion.
The first condition is addressed by the train-
ing program, the second by supervisory Believe the illness poses serious
practice, and the third by organizational cli- consequences to health and well-being
mate and policy. The first factor is addressed
in the preceding section (Tips for Training) In addition to feeling susceptible to TB, workers
and the latter two factors are considered must also understand its consequences to health
briefly as follows. and well-being. Training programs often de-
scribe the illness in abstract medical terms or
use scare tactics to exaggerate the symptoms.
Supervisory Practices
Instead, describe the disease in a realistic and
Motivating workers to behave safely is a major imaginable fashion. Describe the impact of the
responsibility of the supervisor or program ad- illness on life-style factors such as family inter-
ministrator. Workers must not only know how actions, hobbies, and recreational activities.
to maintain and wear respirators, they must Use case histories, testimonies from illness vic-
actually wear them when working in a haz- tims, and illness simulations to help workers
ardous environment. To convince a worker to identify with the impact of the disease on
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