ROLE OF PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE) IN ENCHANCING HOUSEKEEPING SAFETY PROTOCOLS

Abstract

Housekeeping personnel are frequently exposed to workplace hazards, including toxic cleaning chemicals, airborne pollutants, and sanitation-related risks. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is vital in mitigating these hazards and promoting occupational safety. However, despite its recognized importance, compliance with PPE protocols remains inconsistent across many housekeeping settings. This study aims to investigate the availability, usage, and perceived effectiveness of PPE in housekeeping safety procedures, while also exploring workers’ perceptions and identifying the factors that influence adherence to safety standards. This study utilized a quantitative research design and involved a survey of 25 housekeeping staff. A structured questionnaire was used to gather data on their perceptions regarding the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). The responses were analyzed through weighted mean and ranking techniques to determine the level of PPE compliance and to identify the factors affecting adherence to safety protocols. The findings reveal that although housekeeping staff understand the significance of PPE in reducing health hazards and ensuring hygiene, their level of compliance is relatively low. Contributing factors include inconsistent enforcement of safety policies, inadequate training, and discomfort associated with PPE use. The proper implementation of PPE protocols received the lowest rating, indicating deficiencies in both policy execution and employee engagement. Overall, the responses reflect a lack of consistent adherence to PPE guidelines among housekeeping staff. The study recommends enhancing the enforcement of PPE protocols through stricter policy implementation, regular and comprehensive training sessions, and the introduction of incentive-based initiatives to encourage compliance. Strengthening these measures is essential to improving overall workplace safety and minimizing occupational health risks among housekeeping personnel.