EFFECTIVENESS OF ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT USED BY INFORMAL SECTOR ARC WELDERS IN MACHAKOS TOWN, KENYA

Abstract

The study  objective was  to  evaluate suitability  of ultraviolet light  (UVL) personal  protective  equipment  (PPE) used by informal sector arc  welders. Primary data were collected through field survey and laboratory test of the  UVL  PPE’s  filter  plates.  The  study  involved  workplaces  owners  and  their  staff  operating  within  Kenya Industrial  Estates  sheds,  Masaku  Jua  Kali  Association  sheds  and  individual  welders  along  Machakos  Town streets. Through snowball sampling technique, 103 welders were accessed since cases were affiliated through links  that could be exploited.  The survey  involving respondent  with  formal education  all  except one  aged  18 years  and  above  identified  nine  types  of  UVL  PPE  used  by  the  study  group.  Identification  was  through  the distinct  feature  in  the  PPE’s  filter  plate  used  to  source  them.  Absorbance  of  the  filter  plates  at lmax in  the ultraviolet range of the electromagnetic spectrum was determined using UV-VIS 8000 Spectrophotometer for calculation  of their  Shade  Number  (SN)  which  were  found to  be SN  12, 11, 9 and 8. According  to  the  study, 63.1%  of  the  welders  used  SN  8  and  9  both  below  the  minimum  suggested  SN  for  arc  welding  in  the  lense selection guide. Effectiveness of the UVL PPE was influenced by respondent’s highest level of education, age and  experience  (p  <  0.05).  The  study  conclusion  was  that  the  activities  constituting  arc  welding  in  informal sector requires modified goggles scientifically proven effective and not hand held welding shield or the welding helmet.  Close  collaboration  between  PPE  designers  and  users  is  recommended  so  as  to  come  up  with acceptable PPE including arc welding UVL PPE.Key  words: Personal  protective  equipment,  arc  welder,  informal  sector,  ultraviolet  light, shade  number  and filter plate