Fact Sheet Fire Fighting
(Germany/ stand 2016)
General structure
- Description of work environment and exposures (= risk assessment)
The environment is multiple hazardous. Fire Fighters often don’t know all risks when they are on an emergency call. While fighting fire hey may be exposed to exceptional heat, burning environment, chemical, biological substances. They have to rescue persons from burning environment and to perform First Aid and BLS/ALS. - Personal protective devices
The personal protection devices have an extra weight between 28 kg up to almost 50 kg, including a breathing apparatus. It can also be necessary to wear a chemical protection device. - Health demands
No relevant disorder of
Lung function ability
cardiovascular system ability
hearing ability
physical or mental system
skin
metabolic system
body weight - Medical examination
a. mandatory and periodically recurrent: physical and mental aptitude and prevention examination
b.no post exposition examination - Medical examination methods
clinical examination
spirometry
ECG and ergometry
air-conduction audiometry
otoscopy
blood samples
chest x-ray (if anamnestic necessary) - Occupational medical expertise and advice
Improvement of work environment
Not possible
Improvement of personal behavior
Physical and mental fitness - Re-Integration (return to work) management of long term sick employees
If at all, often possible only at special work places where skills and routine is necessary with less physical demands but still with physical and mental stress, i.e. emergency call center - Work place health management options
Not possible