Evaluating the physical demands when using sled-type stair descent devices to evacuate mobility-limited occupants from high-rise buildings.

The physical demands on evacuators were investigated when using different types of sled-type stair descent devices designed for the emergency evacuation of high rise buildings. Twelve firefighters used six sled-type stair descent devices during simulated evacuations. The devices were evaluated under two staircase width conditions (1.

Evaluating the physical demands on firefighters using track-type stair descent devices to evacuate mobility-limited occupants from high-rise buildings.

The physical demands on firefighting personnel were investigated when using different types of track-type stair descent devices designed for the emergency evacuation of high rise buildings as a function of staircase width and evacuation urgency. Twelve firefighters used five track-type stair descent devices during simulated urgent and non-urgent evacuations. The devices were evaluated under two staircase width conditions (1.

A structural equation modelling approach to predicting adoption of a patient-handling intervention developed for EMS providers.

Patient-handling tasks are integral to Emergency Medical Service (EMS) work as are the musculoskeletal injuries associated with these tasks. The aim of this study was to develop and test a structural equation model that describes the interactions between previously identified factors that contribute to the adoption of a specific ergonomics intervention designed for EMS work. EMS responders (n = 187), from six different organisations, participated in a 2-month longitudinal study following the introduction of a foldable patient transfer-board (slide-board) designed to assist with lateral patient transfers.

Evaluating the physical demands on firefighters using hand-carried stair descent devices to evacuate mobility-limited occupants from high-rise buildings.

The physical demands on firefighting personnel were investigated when using different types of hand-carried stair descent devices designed for the emergency evacuation of high rise buildings as a function of staircase width and evacuation urgency. Twelve firefighters used three hand-carried stair descent devices during simulated urgent and non-urgent evacuations. The devices were evaluated under three staircase width conditions (0.

Identification of factors that affect the adoption of an ergonomic intervention among Emergency Medical Service workers.

This study explored factors contributing to intervention adoption decisions among Emergency Medical Service (EMS) workers. Emergency Medical Service workers (n = 190), from six different organisations, participated in a two-month longitudinal study following the introduction of a patient transfer-board (also known as slide-board) designed to ease lateral transfers of patients to and from ambulance cots. Surveys administered at baseline, after one month and after two months sampled factors potentially influencing the EMS providers' decision process.

Designing ergonomic interventions for EMS workers: concept generation of patient-handling devices.

Fire service personnel and private ambulance paramedics suffer musculoskeletal injuries as they lift and carry patients while performing emergency medical services (EMS). Engineering changes, such as the design of new EMS patient-handling devices, offer a potential intervention opportunity for combating this problem. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to generate beginning ideas for the design of new EMS patient-handling devices that were framed within the contextual reality of the end user firefighter/paramedics.

Designing ergonomic interventions for emergency medical services workers--part III: Bed to stairchair transfers.

The objective of the current work was to test interventions aimed at reducing the low-back musculoskeletal loads experienced by firefighters/paramedics (FFPs) providing emergency medical services (EMS) that involve transferring a patient between a bed and a stairchair. The interventions, developed or selected using focus groups, were a prototype Drew People Movertrade mark, and a Transfer Sling. These interventions changed the coupling between the EMS worker and the patient.

Designing ergonomic interventions for EMS workers - part II: lateral transfers.

The objective of the current work was to test ergonomic interventions aimed at reducing the low back musculoskeletal loads experienced by firefighters/paramedics (FFPs) providing emergency medical services (EMS) when performing lateral transfers between a bed and a stretcher or between a stretcher and a hospital gurney. The interventions, developed using focus groups, were a bridgeboard to reduce the frictional force resisting the lateral sliding of the patient, the use of rods along each side of the patient to facilitate the grasping and handling of the bedsheet on which the patient is typically transferred, and a single rod that, when rolled in the bedsheet, resulted in the task being changed from a lifting task to a pulling task. Eleven two-person teams laterally transferred a 75 kg dummy with each intervention between a bed and simulated stretcher.

Designing ergonomic interventions for EMS workers, Part I: transporting patients down the stairs.

The objective of the current work was to test ergonomic interventions aimed at reducing the magnitude of trunk muscle exertions in firefighters/paramedics (FFPs) providing emergency medical services (EMS) when transporting patients down the stairs. The interventions, developed using focus groups, were a footstrap to prevent the patient from sliding down on the backboard, a change in the handle configuration on the stairchair, and 2 devices, the "backboard wheeler" and a tank tread-like device (descent control system, DCS) for a stretcher, that change the backboard and stretcher carrying tasks into rolling and sliding tasks. Eleven two-person teams transported a 75 kg dummy with each intervention and its corresponding control condition down a flight of steps.

Cardiovascular risks in firefighters: implications for occupational health nurse practice.

Limited cardiovascular risk data are available for firefighters. This cross sectional study of data collected during annual physical examinations described the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors among firefighters (N = 200) and examined relationships between body mass index (BMI) and other cardiovascular risk factors. Evidence based guidelines were used to determine prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and Framingham risk scoring was used to estimate probability of coronary heart disease (CHD).