Is musculoskeletal pain putting the wellbeing and careers of firefighters at risk?

New research will assess the musculoskeletal health of UK and European firefighters in a bid to better understand prevalence of this kind of injury and the knock-on impact on the fire service.

Luxfer Gas Cylinders, a world-leading provider of reliable, durable, high-performance cylinders that can endure the most extreme conditions firefighters are working in, is undertaking the study (available here). 

Musculoskeletal injury refers to damage of muscular or skeletal systems, which is usually due to a strenuous activity, and can affect bones, muscles, ligaments and tendons. At its most serious, the condition can cause pain so severe it is disabling, with those affected unable to perform daily tasks.

Existing peer-reviewed research includes:

• A study in Poland where one in four firefighters who became classed as disabled or who had to retire through ill-health cited musculoskeletal problems as the cause
• In a US study, more than 40% of injuries sustained during one year of research were caused by musculoskeletal issues.

But little research exists in the UK on this topic.

Luxfer is polling serving firefighters across Europe to find out if they have suffered musculoskeletal problems in the line of duty. Research could help the company shape future innovations in this area, with the weight of SCBA cylinders a key consideration.

The research will also help capture:

• The level of musculoskeletal pain experienced
• Which areas of the body it has most affected
• What support they have received to treat their condition

Jeff Book, Marketing Manager at Luxfer Gas Cylinders, explains: ‘Luxfer has an international reputation for supplying millions of cylinders for use by firefighters worldwide, and we hope this research will give us valuable insights to help better understand the current needs of firefighters.

‘We know equipment has to be reliable, durable and safe to operate in extreme environments. Technology is now allowing us to pioneer, applying improved materials that deliver the same high performance but without placing a weight burden on the firefighter that could lead to health issues. Existing studies have identified that musculoskeletal injuries are a significant factor that affect firefighter health at work. Understanding the extend of this problem is critical to ongoing innovation in our SCBA applications, so we can make a positive difference to the day-to-day lives of firefighters.’

Firefighters in the UK or Europe are invited to complete the study www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/firefighterhealthresearch

All respondents can be entered into a draw to receive a £100 Amazon voucher.

 

More details on existing research studies:

Poland: A study identified musculoskeletal conditions as major contributors to firefighters retiring or being classed as disabled.

Based on a sample of 1503 firefighters, employed between 1994 and 1997 in 29 fire stations, the study found diseases of the circulatory system (26%) and diseases of musculoskeletal system (25%) were the main causes of sick absence among firefighters classed as disabled. Diseases of the musculoskeletal system (26%), nervous system and sense organs (24%) and digestive system (13%) were cited among those retiring.

USA: A 1994 study found 41,795 musculoskeletal injuries were reported in 1992 (Karter, 1993). This number represents 42.7% of the total number of injuries in that year. The percentage has remained fairly consistent from year to year, with musculoskeletal injury the most frequent type of injury.

Canada: A study found 70% of active firefighters said they had experienced at least some pain in their arms, legs and back during a 13-month span. Of 294 respondents, 42% experienced pain in multiple sites: shoulders, knees, back and/or neck. Firefighters older than the median age of 42, and/or with more than the 15 years of service, experienced greater incidence of pain and more severe pain.

 

References

IOM, Strategic Consulting Report: P530 March 2010, Occupational health risks in firefighters, Graveling RA, Crawford JO

IOM, Consulting Report: 603-00595a August 2011, Scoping study: Review of aging and the demands of firefighting, Dr Richard Graveling FIEHF Principal Ergonomics Consultant Head of Human Sciences Honorary Senior Lecturer, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Aberdeen, Dr Joanne Crawford MIEHF Senior Ergonomics Consultant Non-cancer occupational health risks in firefighters

Occupational Medicine, J.O. Crawford and R.A. Graveling Institute of Occupational Medicine, Research Avenue North, Riccarton, Edinburgh EH14 4AP, UK. Correspondence to: J.O. Crawford, Institute of Occupational Medicine, Research Avenue North, Riccarton, Edinburgh EH14 4AP, UK. e-mail: joanne.crawford@iom-world.org

Ahmed Negm et al. Prevalence and distribution of musculoskeletal disorders in firefighters are influenced by age and length of service, Journal of Military, Veteran and Family Health (2017). DOI: 10.3138/jmvfh.2017-0002

 

About Luxfer Gas Cylinders

Luxfer Gas Cylinders is the world’s largest manufacturer of high-pressure composite and aluminium cylinders. More than 70 million Luxfer cylinders in service around the world have an exemplary record for dependability and safety in a variety of applications, including firefighter and first-responder life support, medical, fire extinguishers, alternative fuel, specialty gas, beverage, aerospace, inflation, scuba and performance racing. An operating company of Luxfer Holdings PLC (NYSE:LXFR), Luxfer Gas Cylinders is based in Riverside, California, and has manufacturing facilities in the US, England, Canada, China and India.

For more information on Luxfer Gas Cylinders, please visit: www.luxfercylinders.com