Work-related injuries among firefighters: sites and circumstances of their occurrence

The aim of the present study was to determine the injury ratio, causes and duration of temporal work disability from on-duty injuries among firefighters, taking into account the site and circumstances of their occurrence. The study was performed on a representative sample of 1503 firefighters from 29 fire stations who were employed between 1994 and 1997. Subject to investigation were data on the number of days and cases of work disability due to on-duty injury, personal data (age, work duration) and data on the circumstances of injury during emergency operations, taking part in compulsory physical training, performing maintenance and repair works, on duty at the fire station, and when commuting to or from work. The analysis of work-related causes and circumstances of injuries among firefighters revealed that the majority of injuries (40%) occurred during compulsory physical training, being responsible for 41% of post-injury absence at work. The workers employed for less than one year were at highest risk of injury. Injuries during emergency operations made 25% of all injuries and accounted for 24% of post-injury absence. The analysis of data showed that the frequency of injuries was not significantly aged-dependent, however, the duration of work disability was found to increase by 20% with increasing age of workers. The results indicated the need for undertaking preventive interventions to minimize occupational hazards to those involved in firefighting.