The main purpose of this study was to investigate whether a difference existed between attitudes, subjective norms, and behavioral intentions of employees regarding self reported use or nonuse of PHPD. The study also investigated if there was a difference between selected demographic variables and the attitudes, subjective norms, and behavioral intentions of employees regarding use or nonuse of PHPD. Fishbein and Ajzen's (1975) Theory of Reasoned Action was the theoretical framework for this study. A convenience sample of 250 employees at two automotive component manufacturing plants located in the Midwest completed the demographic sheet and Employee Use of PHPD questionnaire.Cronbach's alpha coefficient was used to determine the internal consistency of the questionnaire subscales, and the alpha scores ranged from 0.66 to 0.81. Findings revealed a significant difference in attitudes between the self reported use and nonuse groups (F=93.34, df, 1, p<.0001). A significant difference in subjective norms between the use and nonuse groups (F=52.14, df, 1, p<.0001). Findings also revealed a significant difference in behavioral intentions between the self reported use and nonuse groups (F=128.54, df, 1, p<.001). A significant difference was found between age, gender, and self reported use or nonuse ofPHPD. Younger female respondents used PHPD more frequently than male middle aged respondents.Despite the fact that this study found evidence of positive attitudes and subjective norms, the findings did not support behavioral intentions. Most of the respondents (86.4%) supported the use of PHPD as an important part of responsible work safety, but their self reported use of PHPD was only 33.4%. More than half (65.6%) of the respondents reported never or almost never using PHPD. The findings were not consistent with the constructs of TRA, that attitudes and subjective norms are predictive of behavioral intention and thus behavior. / School of Nursing