Assessing the Needs of Greenhouse and Farm Workers Engaged in Pesticide Application for Improved Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Design

摘要

Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is a basic risk mitigation tool that provides an effective barrier to humans engaged in pesticide application. To validate this concept, a multi-method approach was adopted to record user issues and functional limits to the effective performance of PPE. Eight greenhouse pesticide applicators (4 males and 4 female) and eight farm workers (4 males and 4 female) from upstate New York participated in the study. Information was collected regarding (1) participants' demography (2) work dynamics and work environment, and (3) issues and concerns related to the use of the PPE. Findings of this study highlighted four key issues related to the existing PPE (i) heat stress (ii) mobility (iii) integrity of the interface and contamination and (iv) behavioral responses.