Personal protective equipment in the seafaring labour force

Helen Devereux, Emma Wadsworth

Research output: Book/ReportOther report

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Abstract

Introduction
This study on personal protective equipment in the seafaring labour force was supported by CHIRP Maritime and Nautilus International. The aim of the study was to explore seafarers’ experiences and perceptions of PPE. The research findings derive from an online self-administered questionnaire with one hundred and six seafarers. The numerical questionnaire data was analysed in SPSS and the responses to the open-ended questions were thematically coded using NVivo.

Findings
The findings revealed that problems with PPE in the seafaring industry are widespread. Over one third of respondents stated that they had experienced a problem with PPE during their most recent tour of duty. Whilst the problems were not solely experienced by female workers, female participants were significantly more likely to report that they had experienced a problem with PPE during their entire employment at sea than males (94% of female respondents and 70% of male respondents).

Conclusions
There are clear problems with PPE in the seafaring industry. In particular, PPE is provided that is not of an appropriate size for the individual utilising it. Furthermore, some items of PPE are of poor quality and more consideration needs to be given to the quality of the PPE that is provided. It is important that workers and their representatives are suitably consulted and involved in all decisions regarding PPE. There is also a need to ensure that adequate reporting systems are in place so that seafarers can report any issues they do experience with items of PPE.
Original languageEnglish
Place of PublicationSouthampton
PublisherSolent University
Number of pages18
Publication statusPublished - 16 Nov 2023

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