AUTHOR=Robertsen Øystein , Siebler Frank , Eisemann Martin , Hegseth Marit N. , Føreland Solveig , Vangberg Hans-Christian B. 

TITLE=Predictors of Respiratory Protective Equipment Use in the Norwegian Smelter Industry: The Role of the Theory of Planned Behavior, Safety Climate, and Work Experience in Understanding Protective Behavior

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Psychology

VOLUME=9

YEAR=2018

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01366

DOI=10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01366

ISSN=1664-1078

ABSTRACT=<p>Previous research has revealed a higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms in Norwegian smelter workers compared to average population controls. Nevertheless, respiratory protective equipment (RPE) is not always used, even in situations with high exposure risk. A questionnaire was distributed to workers in the Norwegian smelting industry to investigate the relationship between psychological factors and self-reported use of RPEs. Response rate was 567/1,253. A scale measuring <italic>attitudes toward behavior</italic> (<italic>ATT</italic>), <italic>subjective norms</italic> (<italic>SN</italic>), <italic>perceived behavioral control</italic> (<italic>PBC</italic>), and <italic>behavioral intention</italic> (<italic>BI</italic>) was constructed based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (<italic>TPB</italic>). Reliability and Confirmatory Factor Analyses partially supported the theoretical structure of the <italic>TPB</italic>-based scale, the Work Experience Measurement Scale (WEMS) and the Short Scale for Safety Climate (SC). A model explaining the relationship between observed variables, latent constructs from <italic>TPB</italic>, WEMS and SC was developed by SEM-analysis. Significant influence on <italic>BI</italic> from <italic>ATT</italic> (β = 0.31 <italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.01)<italic>, SN</italic> (β = 0.36 <italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.01), and <italic>SC</italic> (β = 0.19, <italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.01) emerged. Among the observed variables included, relationship status (β = −0.12 <italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.05), education level (β = 0.09, <italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.05), previously completed respirator fit-testing (β = −0.09, <italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.05) and average hours spent in exposed areas (β = −0.09) <italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.05) had significant influence on behavioral intention. The model explained 48% of the variance in <italic>BI. BI</italic> and <italic>PBC</italic> significantly predicted <italic>PB</italic>, with β = 0.65 and β = −0.06, respectively. Results of this investigation can help facilitate further work and development of health &amp; safety routines within industrial settings.</p>