Methodology

Questionnaires were mailed to a random selection of 1,500 readers drawn on an Nth name basis from the circulation of OHS Canada Magazine. The package received by the respondents contained the questionnaire, a letter explaining the purpose of the survey, a return envelope and a loonie coin as an incentive to participate in the study. In total, 517 completed questionnaires were returned and processed, representing a 35% response rate. 

This report contains a summary of the findings along with summary tables which provide a breakdown of the responses for each question. A copy of the questionnaire along with accompanying letter has been appended to this report.

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS 

5. Purchase Authority and Involvement 

5.1 Approximately one-half of the respondents have authorized or influenced the purchase of over $10,000 worth of workplace health and safety equipment and services over the last 12 months. 

5.2 The majority of respondents (92%) prefer to either contact an advertiser directly or visit an advertisers' web site when gathering information for their purchases. 

5.3 In the questionnaire, respondents were shown a list of oh & s products and services. They were asked to indicate their involvement in the purchase of each item. The summary table (#24) provides the percentage of companies using various products and services as well the percentage of respondents within those companies who are involved in the purchase of those items. 

6. Awareness, Consideration and Purchase of OH & S Equipment

6.1 In this section of the questionnaire, respondents were provided with a list of manufacturers and brands of various categories of safety equipment. The respondents' task was to indicate awareness, brands considered and purchase of items in these categories. 

Within the category of eye protection, two manufacturers dominate awareness and purchase: Uvex and in second place, North Safety.

6.2 In the protective apparel category, Dupont dominates awareness and purchase. Kimberly-Clark is the second best known and purchased manufacturer.

6.3 Within the category of fall protection, North Safety and Miller / Dalloz Fall, are the two most recognized and purchased products. 

6.4 Within regards to respiratory protection, the dominant manufacturers are 3M and Dalloz Safety.

6.5 Draeger, Industrial Scientific and MSA are the three most widely known and purchased manufacturers of gas detection instrumentation. 

6.6 In the final question in this section, respondents were asked to indicate which distributors they use when purchasing oh & s products and services. Acklands Grainger was the most frequently mentioned distributor (52%). Forty-four percent say they use a local distributor. Other dominant distributors include: Levitt-Safety (39%), Seton (33%) and Fisher Scientific (Safety) 21%. Twenty percent of respondents indicated that they did not use a distributor.

23. Please indicate your involvement in the purchase of each of the following products. If you are not involved in the purchase of a particular item or if your company does not use that product or service, please circle the appropriate number.
 

24. If you are involved in the purchase of Eye Protection, which manufacturers - a) are you aware of, b) have you considered purchasing from, c) have you purchased from in the last 6 months, and d) have you purchased from in the last 12 months? 
 

25. If you are involved in the purchase of Protective Apparel, which manufacturers - a) are you aware of, b) have you considered purchasing from, c) have you purchased from in the last 6 months, and d) have you purchased from in the last 12 months?
 

26.  If you are involved in the purchase of Fall Protection, which manufacturers - a) are you aware of, b) have you considered purchasing from, c) have you purchased from in the last 6 months, and d) have you purchased from in the last 12 months?
 

27. If you are involved in the purchase of Respiratory Protection, which manufacturers - a) are you aware of, b) have you considered purchasing from, c) have you purchased from in the last 6 months, and d) have you purchased from in the last 12 months?
 

28. If you are involved in the purchase of Instrumentation - Gas Detection, which manufacturers - a) are you aware of, b) have you considered purchasing from, c) have you purchased from in the last 6 months, and d) have you purchased from in the last 12 months?

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