Objective To evaluate the shortcomings of respiratory protective equipment for dust-exposed workers and the effectiveness in preventing pneumoconiosis through an on-site evaluation protocol.
Methods According to the elements derived from Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment (GB/T 18664-2002) and Respiratory protective equipment-non-powered air-purifying particle respirator (GB 2626-2006), an integrated evaluation method was developed. A questionnaire survey and a field investigation were carried out among 243 workers in three dusty workshops of an enterprise in Shanghai.
Results The enterprise did not develop or implement respiratory protection plans. The qualified rates of respiratory protective equipment types and monthly issuance in the enterprise were only 43.21% and 21.49% respectively; while the qualified rate of wearing protective equipment reached 84.36%. The basically qualified rate of respiratory protective equipment was 19.34%, and other 80.66% were disqualified. The workers with pneumoconiosis diagnosed by high KV chest radiography or under observation showed a significantly lower rate of basically qualified respiratory protection than the control group (P<0.05) (OR=8.66, 95% CI: 1.059-70.735). Unqualified respiratory protection was a risk factor for “pneumoconiosis or under observation”.
Conclusion Using the respiratory protective equipment correctly is an effective measure to protect workers in dusty working environment.
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