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Related Experiment Videos

Fire service instructors' working practices: A UK survey.

Emily R Watkins1, Mark Hayes1, Peter Watt1

  • 1Environmental Extremes Laboratory, Sport and Exercise Science and Medicine (SESaME) Research Group, Welkin Laboratories, University of Brighton, Denton Road, Eastbourne, UK.

Archives of Environmental & Occupational Health
|April 6, 2018
PubMed
Summary

Fire Service Instructors (FSI) face significant health risks, with many not following safety guidelines. Increased Breathing Apparatus exposures correlate with new health symptoms in FSI.

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Area of Science:

  • Occupational Health
  • Firefighter Safety
  • Environmental Medicine

Background:

  • Fire Service Instructors (FSI) require analysis of working practices and health to mitigate risks like heat illness, cardiovascular events, and immunological stress.
  • Current practices may not adequately address the cumulative health impacts of frequent live fire exposures.
  • Understanding these risks is crucial for developing targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the working practices and health status of UK Fire Service Instructors (FSI) and Firefighters (FF).
  • To identify specific occupational exposures and health outcomes in FSI.
  • To assess the adherence to and effectiveness of current health and safety guidelines.

Main Methods:

  • Online surveys distributed to 130 FSI (age 43 ± 7) and 232 FF (age 41 ± 8) in the UK.
Keywords:
Fire serviceHeat exposuresOccupational health

Related Experiment Videos

  • Data collected on live fire exposures, Breathing Apparatus (BA) use, hydration, cooling methods, and self-reported new symptoms of ill health.
  • Statistical analysis, including calculating odds ratios for health symptoms based on exposure levels.

    • Main Results:

    • FSI experienced 2-10 live fires weekly, with 45% reporting no management limits on exposures.
    • Few FSI adhered to hydration or cooling guidelines.
    • 41% of FSI and 21% of FF reported new symptoms of ill health.
    • FSI with ≥11 BA exposures/month were 4.5 times more likely (95% CI 1.33-15.09) to experience new symptoms.

    Conclusions:

    • A significant proportion of FSI develop new health issues during their careers.
    • Inconsistent adherence to exposure limits, hydration, and cooling protocols poses a substantial health risk.
    • Guidelines need universal implementation and enforcement to protect FSI health and reduce future illness.