EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES WORKERS

Emergency Medical Services Workers: How Employers Can Prevent Injuries and Exposures
NIOSH Publication No. 2017-194
Employers need to understand why injuries occur in order to prevent them. Fewer injuries can result in a healthier workforce and decreased costs to the agency. This fact sheet highlights results from a four-year study capturing data from EMS workers treated in emergency departments and provides recommendations for prevention.

Occupational injuries and exposures among emergency medical services workers
Prehospital Emergency Care January 2017 / :[Epub ahead of print]
This study used emergency department surveillance data to identify injured EMS workers and telephone interviews to collect additional details on the worker demographics, employment, and injury event circumstances.

The association between weekly work hours, crew familiarity, and occupational injury and illness in emergency medical services workers
American Journal of Industrial Medicine December 2015 / 58(12):1270-1277
This retrospective cohort study used historical shift schedules and occupational injury and illness reports to assess the influence of extended weekly work hours on injuries and illnesses.

An observational study of shift length, crew familiarity, and occupational injury and illness in emergency medical services workers
Occupational and Environmental Medicine November 2015 / 72(11):798-804
This study examined the relationship between shift length and occupational injury while controlling for relevant shift work and teamwork factors.

Teammate familiarity and risk of injury in emergency medical services
Emergency Medicine Journal November 2015 / 33(4):280-285
This study investigated the association between teammate familiarity and workplace injury in the emergency medical services setting.

Farm mapping to assist, protect and prepare emergency responders: Farm MAPPER
Journal of Agromedicine: June 2014 / 19(2): 90-95
This project performed usability tests on a Web-based farm-mapping application optimized for tablets and accessible via easily accessible on-site matrix barcodes, or quick response codes (QR codes), to provide emergency responders with hazard and resource information to agricultural operations.

Treating posttraumatic stress disorder in first responders: a systematic review
Clinical Psychology Review: July 2012 / 32(5): 370-380
This paper describes a systematic review of the PTSD treatment literature (English and non-English) in order to evaluate such treatment proposals based on what is known about treating PTSD in first responders.

Fatal and nonfatal injuries among emergency medical technicians and paramedics
Prehospital Emergency Care: October-December 2011 / 15(4): 511-517
This study described fatal and nonfatal injuries occurring to EMTs and paramedics. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) and the occupational supplement to the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS-Work) were analyzed for the period 2003-2007.

Occupational injuries among emergency responders
American Journal of Industrial Medicine: January 2010 / 53(1):1-11
This study characterized injuries among emergency medical services, firefighting, and police occupations by using data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System – Occupational Supplement (NEISS-Work) for injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments in 2000-2001.

Emergency Responder Health Monitoring and Surveillance System
U.S. National Response Team (NRT): January 26, 2012
The purpose of this document is to provide a recommended health monitoring and surveillance framework for emergency responders involved in disaster response. This guidance document builds on systems and practices currently in use, and should prove useful to persons or organizations who are responsible for, or design tools for, responder registration, credentialing, training, health screening, health monitoring, exposure assessment, safety, surveillance, and treatment.

World Trade Center-related physical and mental health burden among New York City Fire Department emergency medical service workers
Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2016 Jan; 73(1):13-20
This observational cohort study described the health burden among Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) emergency medical service (EMS) workers and examined its association with work at the World Trade Center (WTC) disaster site.

Post-September 11, 2001, incidence of systemic autoimmune diseases in World Trade Center-exposed firefighters and emergency medical service workers
Mayo Clinic Proceedings 2016 Jan; 91(1):23-32
This study estimated the incidence of selected systemic autoimmune diseases (SAIDs) in approximately 14,000 male rescue/recovery workers enrolled in the Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program and compared FDNY incidence to rates from demographically similar men in the Rochester Epidemiology Project (REP), a population-based database in Olmsted County, Minnesota.

A story of impact: NIOSH research recommendations are incorporated into national standards to enhance protection for EMS responders
NIOSH Publication No. 2010-161: October 2010
Researchers at NIOSH, along with external partners, conducted a series of investigations as the basis for recommending specific mission-based criteria for protecting EMS responders during medical operations.

Management practices and risk of occupational blood exposure in U.S. paramedics: needlesticks
American Journal of Industrial Medicine: September 2010 / 53(9):866-874
The purpose of this study was to present risk estimates for needlesticks in U.S. paramedics and estimated risk ratios for selected management practices.

Preventing exposures to bloodborne pathogens among paramedics
NIOSH Publication No. 2010-139: April 2010
A national survey of 2,664 paramedics contributed new information about their risk of exposure to blood and identified opportunities to control exposures and prevent infections.

The national study to prevent blood exposure in paramedics: rates of exposure to blood
International Archives of Environmental and Occupational Health: February 2010 / 83(2):191-199
Data from a survey on blood exposure were analyzed to present incidence rates of exposure to blood among paramedics in the United States by selected variables and to compare all percutaneous exposure rates among different types of healthcare workers.

Management practices and risk of occupational blood exposure in U.S. paramedics: non-intact skin exposure
Annals of Epidemiology: December 2009 / 19(12):884-890
This study was conducted to estimate the risk of blood exposure to non-intact skin in U.S. paramedics and to estimate risk ratios for selected management practices.

Circumstances surrounding occupational blood exposure events in the National Study to Prevent Blood Exposure in Paramedics
Industrial Health: March 2009 / 47(2):139-144
A mail survey was conducted to describe blood exposure events among U.S. paramedics.

Provision and use of personal protective equipment and safety devices in the National Study to Prevent Blood Exposure in Paramedics
American Journal of Infection Control: December 2008 / 36(10):743-749
This study examined how often paramedics were provided with personal protective equipment (PPE), sharps containers, and selected safety devices by their employers; the frequency with which paramedics used sharps containers and these safety devices; and paramedics’ attitudes regarding this equipment.

The national study to prevent blood exposure in paramedics: exposure reporting
American Journal of Industrial Medicine: March 2008 / 51(3):213-222
This survey was conducted to provide national incidence rates and risk factors for exposure to blood among paramedics. The analysis assessed reporting of exposures to EMS employers.

Blood exposure among paramedics: incidence rates from the national study to prevent blood exposure in paramedics
Annals of Epidemiology: September 2006 / 16(9):720-725
The aim of the study was to estimate incidence rates of occupational blood exposure by route of exposure (needlesticks; cuts from sharp objects; mucous membrane exposures to the eyes, nose, or mouth; bites; and blood contact with nonintact skin) in US and California paramedics.

Blood-borne pathogens among firefighters and emergency medical technicians
Prehospital Emergency Care: April-June 2005 / 9(2):236-247
The authors conducted a literature review of occupational blood exposures, the seroprevalence of blood-borne pathogens among firefighters and EMS workers, and the seroprevalence of blood-borne pathogens among the patients they serve.

Ambulance Crash Test Methods: Keeping Emergency Medical Services Workers Safe on the Job [PDF – 637 KB]
NIOSH and the Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Directorate partnered with other federal agencies and the ambulance manufacturing industry to conduct ambulance crash testing to reduce and eliminate crash-related injuries and deaths to EMS workers in the patient compartment. This infographic highlights ten published crash test methods, and includes a link to a 7-part video series.

NIOSH Continues Research to Improve Safety for Ambulance Service Workers and EMS Responders
NIOSH Publication No. 2011-190
Researchers at NIOSH set out to reduce ambulance crash–related injuries and deaths among EMS workers. Research addressed the layout and structural integrity of ambulance compartments, design of hardware, and occupant restraints. NIOSH researchers continue to work with the Ambulance Manufacturers Division of the National Truck Equipment Association, the General Services Administration, manufacturers, and federal agencies on other recommendations to improve occupational safety for EMS workers.

SAE Surface Vehicle Recommended Practice J2956 for Occupant Restraint and Equipment Mounting Integrity – Side Impact System-Level Ambulance Patient Compartment
SAE (2011)
This SAE Recommended Practice describes the test procedures side impact occupant restraint and equipment mounting integrity tests for ambulance patient compartment applications. Its purpose is to describe crash pulse characteristics and establish recommended test procedures that will standardize restraint system and equipment mounting testing for ambulances. Descriptions of the test set-up, test instrumentation, photographic/video coverage, and the test fixtures are included.

Assessing the performance of various restraints on ambulance patient compartment workers during crash events
International Journal of Crash worthiness: October 2010 / 15(5):517-541
The inability of emergency medical service (EMS) workers to remain safely restrained while treating patients in the patient compartment of a moving ambulance was identified as a key impediment to EMS worker safety in North America. Results indicated that the inclusion of restraint systems offering mobility have the potential to improve worker safety under many working conditions in this unique work environment.

SAE (2010). SAE Surface Vehicle Recommended Practice J2917 for Occupant Restraint and Equipment Mounting Integrity – Frontal Impact System-Level Ambulance Patient Compartment
This SAE Recommended Practice describes the test procedures for conducting frontal impact occupant restraint and equipment mounting integrity tests for ambulance patient compartment applications. Its purpose is to establish recommended test procedures that will standardize restraint system and equipment mounting testing for ambulances. Descriptions of the test set-up, test instrumentation, photographic/video coverage, and the test fixtures are included.

Crash testing of ambulance chassis cab vehicles
SAE 2007 Transactions Journal of Commercial Vehicles. Warrendale, PA: SAE International, 2008 Apr;1-19.
NIOSH, with partners, conducted a test program to evaluate the capability of mobile restraint systems to protect occupants in the patient compartment of an ambulance. This paper focused on the vehicle chassis behavior and acceleration pulses as seen in each test conducted to support the program.

Ambulance Crash-Related Injuries Among Emergency Medical Services Workers – United States, 1991-2002
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report: February 28, 2003 / 52(8): 154-156
EMS workers are most at risk when transporting patients, or responding to or returning from emergency calls. This report highlighted the risk of death or serious injury for EMS workers riding in ambulances.

Your Safety First: Railroad Crossing Safety for Emergency Responders
NIOSH Publication No. 2003-121
Reports fatalities of emergency responders struck and killed by trains at railroad grade crossings. Discusses safe driving at rail crossings, awareness of signs and warning devices, and how to react if a vehicle stalls on the tracks. Developed by NIOSH in cooperation with the Federal Railroad Administration and Operation Lifesaver, Inc.

Identification of factors that affect the adoption of an ergonomic intervention among emergency service workers
Ergonomics: November 2012 / 55(11): 1362-1372
This study explored factors contributing to the adoption of a patient transfer-board (also known as a slide-board) that was designed to facilitate lateral transfers of patients to and from ambulance cots.

Designing ergonomic interventions for EMS workers: concept generation of patient-handling devices
Applied Ergonomics: November 2008 / 39(6):792-802
The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to generate ideas for the design of new EMS patient-handling devices that were framed within the contextual reality of the end user firefighter/paramedics. Guided by an ecological model of musculoskeletal injuries in the fire service, focus groups were conducted with 25 firefighter/paramedics from 13 suburban fire departments.

Designing ergonomic interventions for emergency medical services workers – part III: bed to stairchair transfers
Applied Ergonomics: September 2007 / 38(5):581-589
The objective of this work was to test interventions aimed at reducing the low-back musculoskeletal loads experienced by firefighters/paramedics providing emergency medical services that involve transferring a patient between a bed and a stairchair.

Designing ergonomic interventions for EMS workers – part II: lateral transfers
Applied Ergonomics: March 2007 / 38(2):227-236
The objective of this work was to test ergonomic interventions aimed at reducing the low back musculoskeletal loads experienced by firefighters/paramedics providing emergency medical services when performing lateral transfers between a bed and a stretcher or between a stretcher and a hospital gurney.

Designing ergonomic interventions for EMS workers, Part I: transporting patients down the stairs
Applied Ergonomics: January 2007 / 38(1):71-81
The objective of this work was to test ergonomic interventions aimed at reducing the magnitude of trunk muscle exertions in firefighters/paramedics providing emergency medical services when transporting patients down the stairs.

Protecting emergency responders. Volume 4. Personal protective equipment guidelines for structural collapse events. (2006)
This monograph serves as a technical source for National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health incident commander guidelines for emergency response immediately following large structural collapse events. It characterizes response activities and expected hazards, and develops guidelines for selecting appropriate personal protective equipment.

Protecting emergency responders, Volume 3. Safety management in disaster and terrorism response. (2004)
During and after large scale disaster events, responders face the risk of physical injury, traumatic stress, and hazardous exposures. Effectively addressing such risks requires bringing together the capabilities of a range of response organizations from all levels of government, nongovernmental organizations, and the private sector. This study provides recommendations for preparing for response to such disasters and other large-scale incidents.

Protecting emergency responders, Volume 2. Community views of safety and health risks and personal protection needs. (2003)
The authors examined the hazards that emergency responders face and the personal protective technology needed to contend with those hazards. The findings are intended to help define the protective technology needs of emergency responders and develop a comprehensive personal protective technology research agenda for the nation.

Protecting Emergency Responders. Volume 1. Lessons learned from terrorist attacks.(2002)
This monograph was written following a December 2001 conference that discussed terrorist attacks and ways to improve the health and safety of emergency workers who respond to large-scale disasters. This book is intended to help managers and decision makers understand the unique working and safety environment associated with terrorist incidents, understand the equipment needs of emergency workers, and improve education and training programs and activities directed at the health and safety of emergency responders.

To address the continuing problem of national occupational fire fighter fatalities, NIOSH conducts independent investigations of fire fighter line of duty deaths through its Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program (FFFIPP). This includes investigations of fire fighters who were serving in the capacity of an EMS worker. It distinguishes between deaths related to cardiac events and deaths related to traumatic events. The FFFIPP web page provides access to NIOSH fire fighter investigation reports and other fire fighter safety resources.

* The reports listed below were selected based on the identification of EMT, paramedic, or medical response in the report title.

* The reports listed below were selected based on the identification of EMT, paramedic, or medical response in the report title.

Also, NIOSH has investigated deaths of emergency medical services workers involved in motor vehicle crashes through the Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) program. The purpose of these investigations is to better understand the circumstances that resulted in the EMS workers’ motor vehicle injury deaths. Each report includes a summary of the event resulting in the EMS worker’s death, and recommendations that employers and others can take to prevent future similar deaths.

NIOSHTIC-2 is a searchable bibliographic database of occupational safety and health publications, documents, grant reports, and journal articles supported in whole or in part by NIOSH.

NIOSHTIC-2 search results on Emergency Medical Service Workers are based on keywords related to EMS workers. FACE reports were removed from this unique search as all EMS worker specific reports in this program are listed in the Fatality Investigations section.