Abstract
Hearing protective devices (HPDs) play an important role in protecting individuals against
potentially damaging noise levels, which can result in noise induced hearing loss (NIHL).
Construction industries are among those industries with the highest number of workers
exposed to hazardous noise that could lead to NIHL. Exposing workers to excessive noise
has negative consequences, such as increased job dissatisfaction, performance errors, loss
of productivity, and increased risk of workplace accidents. Engineering and administrative
controls are used to eliminate noise and HPDs are used in addition to these controls to reduce
the effect of noise on hearing. Commonly used HPDs are earmuffs, earplugs, and semiearplugs.
Construction employers must follow the Occupational Health and Safety Act (No. 85
of 1993) and construction regulations in protecting employee against NIHL.
The purpose of this study was to determine what factors motivate construction workers to use
HPDs consistently within a specific Pretoria/Johannesburg area, and to formulate
recommendations for occupational health nurses to motivate construction workers to
consistently use HPDs.
The research design was quantitative, non-experimental and descriptive. Data were collected
through a self-report questionnaire and analysed using the Statistical Package for Social
Science (SPSS). Data were analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics.
Validity and reliability were adhered to throughout the research. Ethical principles of informed
consent, confidentiality and anonymity, protection from harm, and the right to fair treatment
were also applied throughout the study. The outcome of the study will be used to propose
recommendations for occupational health nurses to motivate construction employees to use
HPDs.