Visibilization of hidden characteristics of firefighting tasks and factors predictive of firefighters’ work-related musculoskeletal disorders

Mohammed Aminu Sanda, Justice Kwabena Kodom-Wiredu

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

Based on the notion that the Fire-service profession is a strenuous and hazardous occupation, this study explored and identified the hidden characteristics of firefighting tasks, and factors predictive of firefighters’ work-related musculoskeletal disorders in the Ghana Fire Service. Quantitative data was collected from three hundred and six firefighters and analyzed using both factor and correlation analysis. It was found that the firefighters experience several traumas characterized by exposure to human entrapment and loss in fires accidents, and personal terrible sensory experiences, the enormity of which increase with increasing years of firefighting-task performance. The firefighters are also exposed to several WMSDs whose enormity is felt irrespective of years of task performance. It is concluded that the identified hidden aspects of the firefighting-task characteristics provide insights into the enormity of trauma and WMSD associated with the task performance, which could be used to optimize the future design and management of the firefighting-task.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAdvances in Safety Management and Human Factors - Proceedings of the AHFE 2018 International Conference on Safety Management and Human Factors, 2018
EditorsPedro Miguel Arezes
PublisherSpringer Verlag
Pages382-393
Number of pages12
ISBN (Print)9783319945880
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2019
Externally publishedYes
EventAHFE International Conference on Safety Management and Human Factors, 2018 - Orlando
Duration: 21 Jul 201825 Jul 2018

Publication series

NameAdvances in Intelligent Systems and Computing
Volume791
ISSN (Print)2194-5357

Conference

ConferenceAHFE International Conference on Safety Management and Human Factors, 2018
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityOrlando
Period21/07/1825/07/18

Keywords

  • Firefighters
  • Firefighting
  • Firefighting task characteristic
  • Ghana fire service
  • Work-Related musculoskeletal disorder

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