Dust Hazard Risk Perception and Protection Behaviors among Ceramic Factory Workers - การรับรู้ภาวะเสี่ยงอันตรายจากฝุ่นและพฤติกรรมการป้องกันของคนงานโรงงานเซรามิก

Abstract

        The descriptive study was designed to describe dust hazard risk perception, protection behaviors, and to examine the association between dust hazard risk perception and protection behaviors among ceramic factory workers. Data collection was conducted during September - October, 2007. This study included random samples of 412 workers working in a production line of a large ceramic factory, Lampang province and met the inclusion criteria. The research instrument was an interview form. The major results revealed that 84.22 percent of the study samples had overall dust hazard risk perception at a high level. The aspect of dust hazard risk perception including knowledge of health hazard from dust exposure, awareness of dust exposure prevention, and cause of dust were also reported at a high level (67-85%). With regard to protection behaviors, 82.75 percent of the samples had overall protection behaviors at a moderate level. Regarding each aspect of protection behaviors, 74.27 percent of the study samples had work practice at a moderate level while 58.25 percent of the sample used personal protective equipment at a high level. In addition, it was found that overall dust hazard risk perception showed positive significant relationship with overall protection behavior at a low level (rs 0.20, p < 0.01). Each aspect of dust hazard risk perception was also found to be positive significant relationship with overall protection behavior at a low level (rs 0.09, rs 0.10, p < 0.05 and rs 0.26, p < 0.01). The findings of this study indicate awareness of safety at work as well as promote protection behavior from dust hazard among ceramic workers should be raised. Such protection behaviors should emphasize work practice along with regular use of personal protective equipment, anticipated to reduce the risk of dust exposure and create safety at work among high risk workers.

Key words: risk perception, dust hazard, protection behaviors, workers, ceramic factory