EFFECTIVENESS OF GLUE ODOR AS A WARNING SIGNAL

This study evaluated glue warnings provided to undergraduates. Experim ent 1 tested four warning conditions: (1) no warning, (2) a strong odo ur (naphthalene and camphor added to the glue), (3) warning text, and (4) warning text and odour. Subjects performed three different tasks: (I) to glue plastic objects representing departments in a factory onto a floor layout plan, (2) to write instructions on how to perform this task, and (3) to rate the glue on its safety, among other factors. On ly 1 of the 38 subjects complied with the warning by attempting to ven tilate the work area. However, the glue was rated as less safe when it contained an odour and the odour was noticed by 85% of the subjects. In experiment 2, the warning text and odour plus warning text conditio ns were further evaluated in an experiment modified to increase both s ubject authority and the odour level. Although rated propensity to com ply increased, none of the 23 subjects actually complied.