Project information
Project members
Cecilia Österman and Per Nilsson, Kalmar Maritime Academy, Linnaeus University
Anna-Lisa Osvalder, Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden (project manager)
Jonas Borell, LTH Faculty of Engineering, Sweden
Participating organisations
Linnaeus University, Sweden; Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden; LTH Faculty of Engineering, Sweden
Financiers
AFA Insurance
Timetable
1 April 2020–31 March 2022
Subject
Maritime science (Kalmar Maritime Academy, Faculty of Technology)
More about the project
Today, personal protective equipment (PPE) may not be used at all or used incorrectly, which causes many work-related injuries and health problems. Previous research, mainly done in working environments that differ from today's Swedish conditions, has failed to reach sufficient insights, shown by the fact that injuries that could have been prevented through the proper use of PPE continue to occur. This project will deeper analyze the reasons why PPE is not used properly or not at all by different user groups in Swedish organizations, and develop strategies, guidelines and recommendations for increased use through adaptation to user, task and context.
Through empirical studies in the construction and shipping industries, working conditions, perceptions and behaviors with regard to PPE will be studied. Data collection is done through observations, interviews and focus groups. The analysis applies a design and HTO perspective (human, technology and organization) to identify generalizable findings. Expected results are deeper insight into why personal protective equipment is not always used adequately, in the Swedish context.
Based on the results of the empirical study, practical proposals for strategies for how organizations can act to increase the use of the right PPE in different types of work will be developed. In the long run, this is believed to contribute to increased proper use of PPE, thereby reducing work injuries and accidents.
The project is part of the research in the Maritime science research group.
