Workers of foreign-owned firms are significantly more likely to wear Personal protective equipment (PPE) than their local counterparts.

That is one of the findings of a study by the CSIR-Building and Road Research Institute and the KNUST School of Public Health, Kumasi.

The study captured in the Ghana Science Association book of abstracts recruited 389 workers actively working on site. They were unobtrusively observed to capture whether or not they wore the appropriate PPE.

“The PPE of interest were a hard hat, goggles, shoes, nose masks, hearing protection, gloves and reflective vest”, lead researcher and Occupational Hygienist, Isaac Kofi Yankson elaborated.

Onsite posted PPE signage was also checked.

The researchers attributed it to the resourcefulness and constant supply of PPE by most foreign firms and workers’ refusal to wear them, attracting sanctions.

The study also found posted PPE signage was not common at all construction sites, whether foreign or locally-owned.

Mr Yankson admonishes road construction managers to place a premium on safety issues by hiring safety managers.

The Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital and the University of Washington, Seattle were also part of this study.