Assessment of Personal Protective Equipment Utilisation Among Solid Waste Workers in Osogbo, Nigeria

Abstract

The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is critical for safeguarding solid waste management workers against occupational hazards, particularly in tropical environments where heat and humidity may limit compliance. This study assesses the availability, utilisation, and challenges associated with PPE use among solid waste management workers in Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional descriptive research design was adopted, and data were collected from 111 respondents using structured questionnaires and field observations. Descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation analysis were employed to analyse the data. The findings revealed that although 79.3% of respondents reported being provided with PPE, utilisation was generally low: only 35.0% reported consistent use, 54.2% reported infrequent use, and 10.8% never used PPE. Basic items such as gloves and face masks were readily available, whereas critical PPE, including protective clothing, safety boots, goggles, and earmuffs, was largely unavailable. Behavioural factors such as discomfort, lack of awareness of the importance of PPE, and low risk perception were the major reasons for non-utilisation. A significant positive relationship was found between tropical climate conditions and PPE usage (r = 0.67, p = 0.032), while years of work experience showed no significant relationship with PPE use (p = 0.488). Heat and discomfort from PPE usage and unavailability emerged as the most significant challenges. The study concludes that climatic conditions, inadequate provision, and usability challenges constrain PPE utilisation among solid waste management workers in Osogbo. It recommends adopting climate-adapted PPE, ensuring a regular and comprehensive supply of PPE, providing targeted safety training, and designing PPE in a gender-sensitive way to improve compliance and reduce occupational health risks in tropical urban settings.