A Matter of Fit: End-user Acceptance of Powered Respiratory Protection
Tracks
Room 1
| Wednesday, December 2, 2026 |
| 1:50 PM - 2:10 PM |
| Plenary Room - Grand Central |
Overview
Prof Anjum Naweed
Speaker
Professor Anjum Naweed
CQUniversity Adelaide
A Matter of Fit: End-user Acceptance of Powered Respiratory Protection
Abstract
Aims
Powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs) are increasingly being introduced into high-risk industries to improve respiratory protection; however, successful implementation depends not only on technical performance, but also on how well such technologies align with the realities of work. This study explored the human and organisational factors shaping end-user acceptance of powered respiratory protection in the Australian quarrying sector.
Methods/Approach
A qualitative study was conducted across two Australian quarry sites where half-mask powered air-purifying respirators were in active use. Participants (n = 23) including workers, supervisors, managers, and contractors, participated in interviews and focus groups. Data were analysed using content analysis guided by the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), focusing on performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, and facilitating conditions.
Results
Participants generally viewed powered respiratory protection positively, particularly in relation to perceived protection from airborne contaminants, ease of use, and reduced breathing burden compared with traditional masks. However, barriers to acceptance included discomfort during prolonged wear, communication difficulties, interference with other personal protective equipment, and concerns regarding battery reliability. Organisational and social factors strongly shaped acceptance and ongoing use. Consistent supervisory support, visible leadership engagement, worker consultation during rollout, and integration into existing safety systems facilitated uptake, while inconsistent policy enforcement, uneven training practices, and limited equipment availability hindered implementation.
Discussion/Implications
Findings suggest that successful implementation of powered respiratory protection is not solely a matter of device design or physical fit, but also of organisational fit within existing work systems, leadership practices, and safety culture. Effective uptake may therefore require participatory implementation approaches, consistent organisational support, and attention to the operational realities of work. The study highlights the importance of viewing respiratory protection as a sociotechnical systems issue rather than a purely technical intervention.
Powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs) are increasingly being introduced into high-risk industries to improve respiratory protection; however, successful implementation depends not only on technical performance, but also on how well such technologies align with the realities of work. This study explored the human and organisational factors shaping end-user acceptance of powered respiratory protection in the Australian quarrying sector.
Methods/Approach
A qualitative study was conducted across two Australian quarry sites where half-mask powered air-purifying respirators were in active use. Participants (n = 23) including workers, supervisors, managers, and contractors, participated in interviews and focus groups. Data were analysed using content analysis guided by the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), focusing on performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, and facilitating conditions.
Results
Participants generally viewed powered respiratory protection positively, particularly in relation to perceived protection from airborne contaminants, ease of use, and reduced breathing burden compared with traditional masks. However, barriers to acceptance included discomfort during prolonged wear, communication difficulties, interference with other personal protective equipment, and concerns regarding battery reliability. Organisational and social factors strongly shaped acceptance and ongoing use. Consistent supervisory support, visible leadership engagement, worker consultation during rollout, and integration into existing safety systems facilitated uptake, while inconsistent policy enforcement, uneven training practices, and limited equipment availability hindered implementation.
Discussion/Implications
Findings suggest that successful implementation of powered respiratory protection is not solely a matter of device design or physical fit, but also of organisational fit within existing work systems, leadership practices, and safety culture. Effective uptake may therefore require participatory implementation approaches, consistent organisational support, and attention to the operational realities of work. The study highlights the importance of viewing respiratory protection as a sociotechnical systems issue rather than a purely technical intervention.
Biography
Anjum Naweed is a Professor of Human Factors and Operational Readiness at the Appleton Institute, the Adelaide campus of CQUniversity Australia. He is a current Australian Research Council Future Fellow with over 20 years’ experience in rail and earned his PhD in Psychology from the University of Sheffield in 2011. His research focuses on transport safety, complex decision-making, systems thinking, and simulation, exploring the interplay between people, technologies, tools, environments, and systems. More broadly, he is committed to the practical translation of research into real-world impact. Anjum has co-edited books, published over 175 peer-reviewed articles, and secured more than $7.5 million in research funding. He serves as Scientific Editor for Applied Ergonomics, and his work has received numerous accolades, including two Vice-Chancellor’s Awards for Outstanding Researcher of the Year. Most recently, he was awarded Simulation Australia’s Lifetime Membership for his outstanding contributions to science, technology, and education.
