Injuries That Occured During Equipment Transfer

Lifting, moving, and returning tools, or equipment to the apparatus, is a noticeable cause of injury in the fire service. These types of injuries occur during fire suppression activities, rescue efforts, and during station duties.

Of the reported injuries, 70% of these injures were minor, while the remaining 30% were serious in severity.

The body parts most frequently injured during equipment transfers were backs, shoulders, and hands/fingers. Back injuries accounted for 31% of injuries, followed by shoulder injuries accounting for 16%, and hand/finger injuries that accounted for 15% of all injuries.

Contributing factors for this type of injury include:

• Picking up tools or equipment too quickly
• Using incorrect lifting and lowering techniques
• Failure to pay attention to ones surroundings
• Lifting tools or equipment that are too heavy
• Hazardous weather conditions such as ice, sleet, snow, and rain

To learn better practices for handling tools or equipment please visit our Emerson Library for additional resources. 

Library Resources:

PROPER LIFTING TECHNIQUES - KEEPING YOUR WORKPLACE SAFE 
AV11-2532  Date Acquired: 8/5/2011  Length: 15:29  Format: DVD  Author: KANTOLA PRODUCTIONS
You can’t rely on instinct when it comes to lifting properly. If you don’t stop and think before you grab that heavy crate or unwieldy piece of plywood, you can get seriously hurt. In fact, 8 out of10 of us will end up suffering some kind of back injury in our lifetimes. But much of this can be prevented with the use of specific lifting techniques that maintain proper alignment and support the back throughout the lifting process. Safe lifting procedures include: basic guidelines for every lift; specialized and industrial loads; how to lift awkward or oversized objects; team lifting situations. (c2009) View a sample video clip online here http://bit.ly/omV8Oo

STEPS FOR SAFE LIFTING AND CARRYING 
AV11-2533  Date Acquired: 8/5/2011  Length: 9:01  Format: DVD  Author: KANTOLA PRODUCTIONS
Using a whimsical narrator “from the future,” this DVD examines how smart workers lifted properly “back in the days when work was physical.” Topics covered in this video include: facts and fiction of back injuries; sizing up a load before lifting; lifting like the pros; rules for safely carrying objects; and importance of exercise. The bottom line is that employees need to realize that every time they lift or carry something – on the job and off – they could be putting their backs at risk. But knowing how to lift safely and carry properly will help prevent painful and costly injuries. Employees who correctly apply the safe lifting and safe carrying techniques taught in this safety training video will reduce their risk of back strain and injury. (c2002) View a sample video clip online here http://bit.ly/rgmi8A.

RESCUE: APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 
AV13-2606  Date Acquired: 10/4/2013  Length: 19:03  Format: DVD  Author: ACTION TRAINING
This video shows the types of vehicles, tools and personal protective equipment used in rescues. Topics covered include: PPE, hand tools, and power tools that ops level responders need when responding to accidents. C2004

CUTTING AND STRIKING TOOLS 
AV00-1243  Date Acquired: 8/31/2000  Length: 22:00  Format: VHS  Author: FIRE ENGINEERING
This video demonstrates the cutting and striking tools, including proper techniques, safety considerations, and applications on the fireground.