ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to try different techniques to see in which manner we can lead workers to use safety protections. A sample of 100 operators was divided into 5 groups. The first was the control group and the other four were submitted each one to a different procedure to encourage them to use PPE: (1) the simple distribution of a safety booklet; (2) the distribution of the same booklet followed by questions about operators’ work and security; (3) the distribution of the booklet followed by injunctive questions; and (4) the distribution of the booklet supplemented by a social influence (based on a free submitted compliance). Results show that the main factor determining a better integration of the safety instructions by the operators (measured by observing the use or the lack of use of safety protections) concerns the free and public commitment of the operators in relation to safety. Others procedures did not produce any effect. Furthermore, the group of operators who simply received the safety booklet does not differ from the control group. Finally, results underline the idea that the use or non-use of PPE depends also on work situations, i.e. real activity and work constraints, and on the ergonomics characteristics of the workplaces.
