Occupational Health & Safety Practices for Firefighters

Initial Email Enquiry –

The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety have put together the following which I thought was well worth sharing:

Firefighter's jobs, by their very nature, are laden with hazards. These professional and volunteer workers respond to fire alarms, accidents, building collapses and natural disasters. They rescue victims from these dangerous situations, control fires, administer first aid, and provide safety education to the public. While fire-fighters fulfil their task of protecting and saving people from danger, they often endanger their own lives.

An average of 105 fire-fighters in the United States and 14 in Canada die in the line of duty each year. Work-related deaths among fire-fighters are due to asphyxiation, burns, drowning, motor traffic collisions and other traumas such as structural collapse or a fireworks explosion.

To mark the occasion of "Fire Safety Month" this October, we are highlighting the fire fighting profession to stress how firefighters, like all other workers, have a right to make it home safely when the workday is done.

Occupational health and safety practices apply to everyone. Even in an inherently dangerous job like that of a firefighter, there are ways to prevent injury, illness or death. And the simplest solutions can often prevent the gravest dangers.

Wearing PPE is an important way to prevent heat and cold stress and exposure to toxic substances. Some studies suggest that firefighters may be at increased risk of occupational diseases from exposure to chemical and biological substances encountered in a fire situation. Firefighters receive WHMIS training to become familiar with the various chemicals they might encounter on the job.

Staying physically fit and training in ergonomics will help firefighters reduce the likelihood of physical injury due to repetitive tasks, awkward postures and overexertion from lifting, reaching or carrying. A job's physical demands are even greater when a person is wearing heavy equipment, such as a self-contained breathing apparatus and other personal protective equipment and apparel. Working under these conditions requires skill and special training.

Training in the safe use of ladders can prevent potentially serious falls.

Universal health precautions such as hand-washing and wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) are important for preventing exposure to infections, blood borne pathogens and diseases such as AIDS, hepatitis B and hepatitis C. Firefighters are often exposed to blood when rescuing fire or accident victims and need protection.

"Working-alone" procedures - especially those that ensure that no one works alone - give firefighters the assurance that a co-worker will always be on-hand in case of danger.

Working a reasonable shift schedule and getting plenty of rest are necessary for firefighters to be strong, quick and alert in the face of danger.

After a particularly traumatic event, some find it helpful to conduct debriefing sessions to address the emotional stress that firefighters experience on the job.

These and other safe work practices and precautions can save lives. We need and appreciate fire-fighters, and in honour of Fire Safety Month we remind them and their employers that just as fire-fighters protect the public, they must be protected as well.

OSH Answers Fire Fighter Safety

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Author’s identities are concealed for privacy and security reasons. Further information on the information contained in this topic can be directed to the JOIFF secretariat.