Table 2 Work-place characteristics and behavioural factors of the paper and water bottling factory workers (N = 411)

Work experience (in year)

 < 5

5–9

 ≥ 10 Mean (± SD)

102 (49.5)

45 (21.9)

59 (28.6)

7.9 (± 7.2)

188 (91.7)

17 (8.3)

0

3 (± 1.7)

 < 0.001^a

 < 0.001^b

Working hours per day

 ≤ 8

 > 8

Mean (± SD)

187 (90.8)

19 (9.2)

8.33 (± 1.2)

0 (0)

205 (100)

10.87 (± 0.9)

 < 0.001^a

 < 0.001^b

Working days per week

 ≤ 5

 > 5

Mean (± SD)

12 (5.8)

194 (94.2)

6.19 (± 0.5)

0

205 (100)

6.8 (± 0.4)

 < 0.001^a

 < 0.001^b

Exposure in previous employments

Yes

No

28 (13.6)

178 (86.4)

15 (7.3)

190 (92.7)

 < 0.05^a

Work section

Recycle paper cutting

Bell machine compactor and loader

Pulp and recycle paper milling

Roll paper production

Paper and carton production

Cone production

40 (19.4)

11 (5.3)

9 (4.4)

23 (11.2)

96 (46.6)

27 (13.1)

Bio-fuel energy use

Yes

No

141 (68.5)

65 (31.6)

90 (43.9)

115 (56.1)

 < 0.001^a

Cigarette smoking behavior

Current smoking past smoker

Never smoker

4 (1.9)

3 (1.5)

199 (96.6)

5 (2.4)

0

200 (97.6)

 < 0.21^a

Use/wear of PPE

Yes

No

16 (7.8)

190 (92.2)

Type of PPE used

Mask respiratory

Full face pieces respiratory

Breathing apparatus

13 (6.3)

0

3 (1.5)

Reasons for not using PPE

Not available

Not comfortable for work

Not provided by institution

The dust is not harmful

6 (2.9)

4 (1.9)

175 (97.6)

5 (2.4)

OHS training

Yes

No

79 (38.4)

127 (61.7)

139 (67.8)

66 (32.2)

 < 0.001^a

Supervision on OHS issues

Yes

No

48 (23.3)

158 (76.7)

84 (41)

121 (59)

 < 0.001^a