Injuries Occurring During Training

This month we’re focusing our blog entries on injuries occurring during Skills Training.  As you can see below, Skills Training activities were the fifth most common activities leading to injuries between July 2011 and July 2012.  Of those, there were 316 minor, 100 serious, and one critical injury.  Sprains & Strains were the most common types of injuries incurred during Skills Training.

Injury by Activity - click to enlarge

Severity of Injuries - click to enlarge

Types of Injuries - click to enlarge

 

Past Posts Dealing with the Top 3 Types of Injuries Occurring During Skills Training

Strains & Sprains

Wounds

Environmental

Check out some examples of Skills Training injuries being reported to us:

“The fire fighter was waiting to participate in a training event when another fire fighter handed him a fiberglass pike pole.  The fire fighter grabbed the pike pole with his ungloved right hand.  The pike pole was splintered and a splinter penetrated the skin of the fire fighter's right ring finger.”

“The firefighter was participating in a recruit training program. While engaging in a SCBA maze drill, the firefighter experienced heat exhaustion. The firefighter was given I.V. solution and transported to the hospital via ambulance. The firefighter was observed and released after I.V. and blood work was taken.”

“While conducting live fire training in fire blast simulator, FF experienced steam burns to Left ear. Firefighter did have his complete ensemble of PPE in place including hood.”

“The student was in the burn building, going upstairs.  He was going up the stairs, when his foot slipped between some fire hose.  He fell to the side, straining his knee.”

“Firefighter while participating in a Live Fire Training exercise moved a positive pressure ventilation fan and experienced pain to back due to strain.”

“While doing ladder training at the training field he was descending down a ladder and lost his grip. He fell about five feet to the ground landing on his back.”

“While conducting a training class on hose handling, the firefighter was releasing a hose clamp from 3 inch supply hose. When the firefighter leaned in close to release the hose clamp it hit the firefighter on the lower right side of his chin. Firefighter received 5 stitches.”

“Employee was doing extrication training.  Another employee swung an axe & it made contact with the halligan that the first employee was holding & it his left index finger.”

As you can see, many of these injuries could have been avoided by taking a bit more care.  Instilling a culture of safety in your department can help avoid these types of injuries, and planning safe training and using safe practices during training can decrease injuries.  Later this month we’ll focus on how to do just that and how to avoid injuries during Skills Training.

What types of injuries have you witnessed during Skills Training?

What do you think can be done to avoid injuries during Skills Training?

Does your department have a training staff that makes avoiding injuries a priority?

Wellness/Fitness - Exercise Properly

Last week we discussed the fact that exercise, and Wellness/Fitness programs, can in fact lead to firefighter injuries instead of keeping firefighters safe.  You might be wondering, “Can we afford to exercise, given the injury rates related to it?”  Of course, we all know that exercise is a must so that you can be prepared to fight the battles you fight at work, whether you are lifting patients onto gurneys, or bringing a heavy hose to a fire.  We all know this, and while exercising does have its own hazards, it’s still really important.  Obesity rates for firefighters are higher than the public.  This seems wrong, doesn’t it?  You should be the fittest members of our society.  The public is relying on you.  So, be sure and exercise, but do it safely.

Strains and Sprains were reportedly the most common types of injuries that occurred during Wellness/Fitness activities.   In September this blog focused on avoiding strains and sprains (and any injuries at all!) while exercising.  Revisit it today!  Also, keep in mind that stretching regularly helps you avoid injury while getting fit (and in your everyday life).

How often do you work out?

Do you use a spotter when you weight train?

Do you think you’re in good shape?  Be honest.

Wellness/Fitness - Exercise Can be Dangerous

Last week we showed you the number and types of reported injuries occurring during Wellness/Fitness activities.  You’re not alone.  In fact, a recent study done by the University of Arizona found that exercise (along with patient transport and training drills – not fire suppression) causes the majority of firefighter injuries in Tucson.  This study is an eye-opener for some, but not us. 

While Wellness/Fitness programs are meant to prepare your body for work, and hopefully help you incur fewer injuries on the job, they sometimes lead directly to injury.  This seems counterintuitive, but if exercise is done incorrectly, it can be harmful.  For instance, keeping your core strong is paramount in getting your body ready to do your job (for instance, lifting patients), but you’ve got to train this area properly to avoid harm.  Check out this video to see how to strengthen your core without hurting your back.

Some believe that fighting a fire can require as much fitness and energy as playing a football game can, so you need to be healthy in all areas of your life.   But exercising properly, and with caution, is important.  Next week we’ll take a look at how you can do just that. 

Have you injured yourself while working out?

Do you know anyone who has hurt themselves working out?

Injuries Occurring During Wellness/Fitness Activities

Everyone knows that you’ve got to stay healthy to do your jobs, and that your departments’ Wellness/Fitness programs help you do this.  The TCFP even requires your departments have an SOP for these programs.  And, Courage to be Safe’s Initiative #6:  Medical and Physical Fitness also places great emphasis on these types of programs.  Unfortunately, we’ve had a number of injuries occurring during Wellness/Fitness activities reported to us. 

Injuries occurring during Wellness/Fitness activities are the 5^th most common types of injuries reported to our FIDO system.  As you can see below, the body parts being injured during these activities are most commonly knees, backs, ankles and shoulders.  Strains &Sprains are the most common types of injuries occurring during Wellness/Fitness activities.

Wellness/Fitness injuries by body part injured - click to enlarge

Wellness/Fitness injuries by type - click to enlarge

The good news is that 68% of these injuries are minor, which means that the injured firefighters are missing less than one full duty period.  31%, though, are serious and have lost more time at work. 

Check out some examples of injuries occurring during Wellness/Fitness activities:

“While working out the firefighter slipped on the treadmill and sustained abrasions on the knees and right ankle.”

“After playing basketball for about an hour, the firefighter had some pain in low back that still was there the next morning.”

“Firefighter was exercising on treadmill when he experienced chest pains.”

“Firefighter was working out with weights at station and injured right shoulder.”

“During physical fitness, member was crushed finger between dumbbell weight and storage rack.”

“Employee was playing basketball as part of fitness when he fractured right ankle.”

In the coming month, we’ll focus our blog posts on how exercising can be harmful, and how you can exercise for health without injury.  Stay tuned here to learn more.