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.