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Fire Fighting Ergonomics
Eric F Shaver, PhD
ericshaver.com @ericshaver

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Overview
• Goals of the Presentation
• Overview of HFE
• CTD Fundamentals
• Why is Ergonomics Important for Fire Fighting?
• Fire Fighting Ergonomics Program

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Goals of the Presentation
• Understand the importance of ergonomics to fire
fighting.
• Learn about CTDs (e.g., what they are; types;
symptoms, etc.).
• Know the process for reporting ergonomic risk factors
& CTDs.
• Understand the importance of implementing an
Ergonomics Program.

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Introduction to
Human Factors & Ergonomics

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What is HFE?
Human factors & ergonomics (HFE) is a unique
scientific discipline that systematically applies the
knowledge of human abilities and limitations to the
design of systems with the goal of optimizing the
interaction between people and other system
elements to enhance safety, performance, and
satisfaction.
In simpler terms, HFE focuses on designing the world to
better accommodate people.

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What is HFE?, cont.
• Notice I refer to it as “human factors & ergonomics”
instead of just ergonomics.
• Both terms are used interchangeably. I prefer to
combine them.
• Ergonomics is a Greek word meaning:
• Ergo = “work”
• Nomos = “law”
• In a literal sense, it means “work laws.”

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What is HFE?, cont.
Human factors are relevant anywhere people work
with systems, whether they are social or technical in
nature.
The breadth of these sociotechnical systems include
situations and circumstances where individuals
interact with other system elements including:
• People
• Technology
• Tasks
• Organizations
• Environments

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Origins of HFE
Human
Factors &
Ergonomics
Psychology
Anthropology
Applied
Physiology
Environmental
Medicine
Engineering
Computer
Science
Statistics
Operations
Research
Industrial
Design

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Origins of HFE, cont.
• In the U.S., HFE is generally considered to have
originated during WWII.
• But, advances that contributed to its formation can
be traced to the turn of the 20th century.
• HFE started in the military, but expanded into most
industries, including fire fighting (wildland &
structural).

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Industries Benefiting from HFE
• Aerospace
• Automotive
• Chemical
• Computer
• Consumer products
• Construction
• Defense
• Forestry
• Health care
• Manufacturing
• Mining
• Nuclear
• Petroleum
• Telecommunications
• Textile

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What Value Does HFE Add?
• Increased
• Safety & health
• Quality
• Productivity
• Ease of learning & use
• Satisfaction, trust &
loyalty
• User experience &
engagement
• Sales & market share
• Decreased
• Deaths, injuries & illnesses
• Accidents
• Error rates
• Absenteeism & turnover
• Training time
• Development costs
• Need for redesign & recall
• Support & services costs
• Equipment damages
• Maintenance costs

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Fundamentals of
Cumulative Trauma Disorders

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Overview
• What are CTDs
• Types of CTDs
• Symptoms of CTDs
• Ergonomic Risk Factors for CTDs
• Reporting Suspected CTDs

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What are CTDs?
• Cumulative Trauma Disorders
• Work-related disorders and diseases of the musculoskeletal
system that develop overtime as a result of repeated
stresses.
• Also, goes by:
• WMSD (Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders)
• RMI (Repetitive Motion Injury)
• RSI (Repetitive Stress / Strain Injury)
• OOS (occupational Overuse Syndrome)

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Where can CTDs Develop?
• Often occur in the upper body, but can manifest
anywhere.

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Types of CTDs
• Tendon-related:
• Tendinitis: inflammation of a tendon
• Tenosynovitis: inflammation of the lining of the sheath
that surrounds a tendon
• Trigger Finger (or Thumb): fingers or thumb to catch or
lock in a bent position due to tendon inflammation

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Types of CTDs, cont.
• Nerve-related:
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: median nerve entrapment that
causes pain, tingling, and numbness of the hand
• Digital Neuritis: Inflammation of the nerves in the fingers
caused by repeated contact or continuous pressure
• Joint-related:
• Osteoarthritis: “wear and tear” arthritis; Degenerative
Joint Disease

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Types of CTDs, cont.
• Muscle-related:
• Sprain: an injury to a joint (e.g., shoulder, knee, etc.)
• Strain: an injury to a muscle or tendon (e.g., back)
• Myalgia: muscle pain due to overuse or being over-
stretched
• Tension Neck Syndrome: soreness due to static loading or
tenseness of neck muscles.

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Types of CTDs, cont.
• Circulatory/Vascular-related:
• Raynaud’s Syndrome: a.k.a., vibration-induced white
finger; discoloration of the fingers due to extreme
vasoconstriction.
• Bursa-related:
• Joint Bursitis: inflammation of the fluid-filled sac (bursa)
that lies between a tendon and skin, or between a tendon
and bone

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Symptoms of CTDs
• Muscle tightness & fatigue
• Soreness, pain, and discomfort
• Joint stiffness / popping & cracking
• Limited range of motion
• Numbness / tingling sensations
• Burning sensations
• Swelling & redness
• Weakness / loss of strength
• Coordination problems / clumsiness

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Ergonomic Risk Factors for CTDs
• Heavy Weights / Forceful Exertions
• Awkward Postures
• Contact Stress (Localized)
• High Repetition / Prolonged Activities
• Excessive Vibration (Part or Whole Body)
• Insufficient Recovery Time
• Environmental Stressors

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Heavy Weights / Forceful Exertions
• Heavy weights are physically taxing & potentially
damaging to the body.
• Forceful exertions are often used to overcome the
inability of normal muscular strength to move or
dislodge a large object.
• Can lead to sprains, strains, soft tissue contact
injuries.

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Awkward Postures
• Awkward postures are those that move the body
away from vertical position. These postures include:
• Lateral bending or twisting at the waist (e.g., twisting to
lift an object or avoid an obstacle);
• Movement of the hands and arms above shoulder level
(e.g., lifting, moving or holding);
• Loads on the hands when the arms are extended (e.g.,
holding or moving objects at arm length);
• Positions of the head not aligned with the body (e.g.,
overhead work, low or high monitors, etc.); and
• Bent hand/wrist positions.

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Awkward Postures, cont.
• These postures can be:
• Static (e.g., bent over holding a hose)
• Dynamic (e.g., lifting or moving objects)
• Static postures create mechanical and metabolic
loads.
• Mechanically, static loads:
• Strain muscle and connective tissue
• Metabolically, static loads:
• Reduce or exclude blood flow
• Produce local muscle fatigue

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Contact Stress (Localized)
• Examples
• Contact with unpadded, sharp edge
• Grasping small diameter tools requiring high forces
• Using body part as a striking tool
• It can:
• Reduce blood flow
• Compress body tissue
• Increase body friction
• Promote tissue inflammation

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High Repetition / Prolonged Activity
• Repetition often combines with other risk factors.
• Highly repetitive tasks affect the mechanical parts of
the body (e.g., muscles, tendons, ligaments) and the
body’s physiologic functions.
• Higher rates of work require more muscle activity,
force and recovery time.

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Excessive Vibration
• Two types:
• Partial Body: typically originates in the hand or arm
• Whole Body: originates from the feet (standing work) or
buttocks/back (seated work)
• Assessed by:
• Level (m/s)
• Frequency (Hz)
• Exposure duration

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Excessive Vibration, cont.
• Whole Body
• < 1Hz = Seasickness
• 1 and 100Hz (especially between 4 & 8 Hz)
• Chest pain
• Difficulty breathing
• Low back pain
• Impaired vision
• Partial Body
• 8 and 1000Hz
• Reduction in finger sensitivity and dexterity
• Muscle, joint, and bone disorders
• Vibration-induced white finger

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Insufficient Recovery Time
• Examples
• Short or no rest breaks
• Lack of sleep
• Continuous days of work without day(s) off
• Injuries & illnesses not being allowed to properly heal
• Results
• Fatigue
• Re-injury
• Errors (slips, lapses, & mistakes)

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Environmental Stressors
• Types:
• Excessive noise
• Extreme heat or cold
• Chemicals
• Inappropriate illumination

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Why is Ergonomics Important for
the Fire Fighting Profession?

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Ergonomics & Fire Fighting
• Ergonomic hazards can be present during:
• Fire fighting operations
• EMS calls
• Training & drills
• Physical exercise
• Station activates
• One potential solution is to design, develop, and
deploy a quality ergonomics program.

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Fire Fighting Ergonomics Program

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Overview
• Phase 1: Planning
• Phase 2: Identify & Analyze Ergonomic Hazards
• Phase 3: Develop & Implement Ergonomic Hazard Controls
• Phase 4: Final Approval & Documentation
• Phase 5: Monitoring & Periodic Evaluation
• Phase 6: Training

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Ergonomics Program, cont.
• Phase 1: Planning
• Create an Ergonomic Committee
• Develop a timeline
• Identify areas to address
• Phase 2: Identify & Analyze Ergonomic Hazards
• Facilities Review
• Vehicles & Equipment Review
• PPE Review
• Records Review
• Personnel Interviews

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Ergonomics Program, cont.
• Phase 3: Develop & Implement Ergonomic Hazard
Controls
• Engineering controls
• Administrative controls
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Warning signs & Labels
• Training
• Phase 4: Final Approval & Documentation
• Documents what occurred during Phases 1 – 3

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Ergonomics Program, cont.
• Phase 5: Monitoring & Periodic Evaluation
• On a quarterly basis:
• Ergonomic committee should meet to assess new developments.
• Review all completed “Ergonomics Symptom Survey” forms.
• Review any pertinent accident & incident forms.
• Interview impacted employees.
• Identify ergonomic hazard(s).
• Remove or mitigate ergonomic hazard(s).
• Document process and findings.

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Ergonomics Program, cont.
• Phase 5: Monitoring & Periodic Evaluation, cont.
• On a yearly basis:
• Have an outside ergonomics professional review your progress.
• If necessary, implement changes to the ergonomics program &
educate personnel about the changes.
• On an “as needed” basis:
• If a pressing ergonomic issue arises, address it immediately.
• Complete all steps listed in “On a quarterly basis.”
• Phase 6: Training
• Educate fire fighters about the importance of ergonomics.

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Take Home Message
• Ergonomics is important for fire fighter safety & health.
• CTDs often aren’t diagnosed early enough or go
undiagnosed.
• Numerous ergonomic risk factors contribute to CTDs
development.
• A quality ergonomics program can assist in identifying
& removing ergonomic hazards often missed by typical
safety programs.

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Resources
• FEMA (1996, March). Fire and emergency medical
services ergonomics: A guide for understanding and
implementing an ergonomics program in your
department
• http://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/publications/f
a-161.pdf
• NIOSH (1997, March). Elements of ergonomics
programs: A primer based on workplace evaluations
of musculoskeletal disorders.
• http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/97-117/pdfs/97-117.pdf

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Resources, cont.

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Author Biography
Dr. Shaver is a human factors professional working in the
medical technology industry. Previously he worked as a
consultant in a variety of industries, including structural
and wildland fire fighting.
Dr. Shaver's work has emphasized achieving an optimal
fit between people, technology, and work systems to
facilitate safety, performance, and satisfaction.
A specific focus has centered on bridging the research-
practice gap by synthesizing and disseminating the latest
scientific findings about human capabilities and
limitations to the design, development, implementation,
use, and evaluation of technology.