[Temporary work disability among firemen employed in rescue and fire brigades]

Workers of rescue and fire brigades participating in actions are exposed to harmful effect of toxic substances, chemicals or physical factors. They also experience enormous emotional shock evoked by direct threat or contact with victims of disasters and fires. The aim of the study was to define the pathology which increases the risk of temporary work disability among firemen. The study covered 150 firemen employed during the years 1994-97 in rescue and fire brigades selected at random. The data on the number of days and cases of work disability during the period of four years for each firemen covered by the study were analysed. In the group under study a mean annual number of work disability due to sickness accounted for 1443 days per 100 employed. The major causes of work disability were as follows: diseases of the respiratory system (22% of total sickness absenteeism); diseases of the nervous system and sense organs (19%); diseases of the musculoskeletal system (18%), diseases of the circulatory system (13%); mental disorders (8%); and diseases of digestive system (7%). Sickness absenteeism among workers of rescue and fire brigades was lower by 30% on average than that among men employed in the national economy. But in the 50-59 age group, it was higher by 68%. In this age group, the highest level of sickness absenteeism was associated with mental disorders (15 times higher than in other male occupational groups); diseases of the musculoskeletal system (higher by 53%); diseases of the respiratory system (2 times higher); neoplasms (7 times higher); diseases of the nervous system (higher by 46%). It should be stressed that the study revealed increased work disability due to lung (by 33%), bladder (6 times higher) and brain (over 3 times higher) cancers. The results of this study find their confirmation in many other epidemiological studies of this occupational group.