Review article
Assessment of workplace hazards of firefighters – the shortcomings of existing legislation, remarks and suggestions for alterations, based on scientific evidences
Mensur Ferhatović
; Javna vatrogasna postrojba grada Rijeke, Rijeka, Hrvatska
Dario Bognolo
; Veleučilište u Rijeci, Rijeka, Hrvatska
Abstract
The work of firefighters is characterized in exposure to all forms of physical, chemical and biological threat of life and health. Firefighters perform profession duties in peacetime for most but are also active in interventions caused by war period. A modern way of life requires the use of newer type of chemicals, newer materials with different properties, the behavior in the process of burning and the use of new technology, so it is very difficult to predict and plan all kinds of interventions. As a result of induced, immediate, short-term (mechanical, physical, chemical action) or a sudden changed position and an unexpected load of the body also, the injury to the body is caused. Weight injury is determined in relation to several factors: the risk to life, damage to the organs, organs function and working ability. In line with this development comes to an occupational disease that is caused by long-term and direct influence of working conditions on health. However, for admission to this highly responsable and arduous office, the candidate must fulfill several conditions, among others things that his health is determined by pshycophysical ability for the firefighter jobs based on the specialist medical examination at the medical work in accordance with the Regulations on jobsrequiring special working conditions (Official 5/84), article 3, item 14. According to the Regulations, the firefighters are sent to regular medical examinations in a period of 24 months. Nevertheless, with inspection and monitoring of processed medical reports it is evident that as a consequence of the fire department work can lead to a variety of damage and disruption of health status and work ability of firefighters. One of the factors of their working enviroment, which is not much explored, and medical examinations prove the negative impact on their health and working ability, is the high frequency noise. Harmful effects of the noise on firefighters have not been investigated, althought there are indications and evidence that it is present and adversely affects the health of firefighters. Noise exposure of firefighters is increasing because of the growing number of fire intervention. When designing firefighter equipment and vehicles as well as personal protective equipment was not seen significant progress in finding better solutions todecreasing the production of noise and its detrimental effect on the health of firefighters. Analyzing the work of firefighters and their work environment leads to the fact that the noise exists as a factor in the decline of health and that in certain situations it exceeds the permitted level. Therefore, through study of working conditions of firefighters, apropos finding the optimum materials and equipment used in firefighting, which will in relation to noise, lead to a gradual reduction or complete elimination of noise, the risk of occupational diseases of the organs of hearing is reduced to the lowest possible level. Consequently the results of the scientific research a need is imposed, with the statutory legislation, to determine and prescribe the mandatory use of personal protective equipment for each firefighter on interventions and also that the design of equipment and vehicles moves toward solutions that would reduce the emission of noise to the allowed level. In addition, there is a need to change the Regulations on jobsrequiring special working conditions (Official 5/84) primarily due to defining the complexity and quality of the firefighters inspection. Thus, it should be determined by Regulations that the firefighter hearing is examined annually and not only when the profession/employer requires. If through the existing scientific indications, but evidences also, the problem of conscious destruction of hearing at which firefighters are exposed throughout years of service continues to be neglected, the profession will have considerable problems with chronical and irreversible consequences on the health of firefighters.
Keywords
firefighter; hazard; health; working ability; legislation
Hrčak ID:
103621
URI
Publication date:
20.7.2012.
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