USE OF PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT IN OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND AWARENESS AND APPLICATION TRENDS OF CONSTRUCTION WORKERS, LEGAL OBLIGATIONS AND COMPLIANCE

Abstract

The construction industry is one of the areas where occupational accidents occur at the highest rates, and most of these accidents can be prevented with the correct and constant use of personal protective equipment (PPE). However, employees' awareness level and application tendencies regarding using PPE are not at the desired level. This situation poses a great risk to occupational health and safety in the construction industry. This study aims to determine the factors affecting the use of PPE by analyzing the awareness levels of employees in the construction sector in Turkey regarding the use of PPE, as well as their attitudes and application trends on this issue.

While the research details the contribution of PPE use to occupational safety, it also addresses employees' lack of knowledge about PPE use, their motivation, and the role of managers in occupational safety culture. The study examined how construction workers' attitudes towards PPE affect PPE usage rates and the role of this situation in preventing work accidents. In particular, it has been determined that regular training and inspections on the use of PPE need to be improved, and employees' motivation and safety culture to increase the use of PPE is low.

In this context, suggestions are presented within the study's scope to encourage the use of PPE and spread the occupational safety culture in the construction sector. This research aims to develop scientific solutions to eliminate the deficiencies in the use of PPE in the sector and draw attention to the measures that should be taken to prevent occupational accidents.

As a result, this study raises awareness about using PPE and encourages more effective measures to ensure occupational safety. It has been concluded that to strengthen the safety culture in the construction sector, employees should be trained, managers should take the lead in using PPE, and encouraging methods should be applied.