Firefighters' Health Risks

Occupational Health Issues Of Firefighters

Occupational Health Issues Of Firefighters

Introduction

The fire and other emergencies take thousands of lives every year. Fire fighters perform this cumbersome task of protecting people against these accidents. Firefighters, also known as fire brigade in some countries are the rescuers who are broadly trained to put out hazardous fires. Over the last few years, due to the increase of potential long term health risk for fighters, the occupational health and safety programs have acquired a significant attention. The firefighters not only face the physiological stress but are also prone to the chronic physical job related issues. The workers are exposed to many toxic substances for instance carbon monoxide, asbestos, benzene, particulate, hydrogen chloride, and cyanide. Beside this, they are subject to physical hazards caused by heat and noise. The cardiovascular disease, pulmonary disease, cancer, and noise-induced hearing loss are common outcomes of fire exposure. The medical care for firefighters all around the world is striving to monitor and solve these long term health risks. This essay details out the safety and occupational health issues and the measures undertaken to prevent them

Discussion

Over the last few years, due to the increase of potential long term health risk for fighters, the occupational health and safety programs have acquired a significant attention. The firefighters not only face the physiological stress but are also prone to the chronic physical job related issues. The workers are exposed to many toxic substances for instance carbon monoxide, asbestos, benzene, particulate, hydrogen chloride, and cyanide. Beside this, they are subject to physical hazards caused by heat and noise. The cardiovascular disease, pulmonary disease, cancer, and noise-induced hearing loss are common outcomes of fire exposure. The medical care for firefighters all around the world is striving to monitor and solve these long term health risks.

Occupational Health Issues And Safety Measures

Heart attack

Heart attack is the major health risk that firefighters come across. They have been known as the major reason of a firefighter's death during the job. Examining the firefighters' general death record, it is found that the risk is highest when firefighters are working at the fire scene with an increased possibility ranging from 10 to 100 times the normal risk of heart attack. On the other hand, the chances of risk are increased when firefighters are responding to an alarm, returning from an alarm, or when they are engaged in physical training. The fire fighters ...