Citation

Oka Y, Kuriyama Y. Safety Sci. 2019; 113: 298-309.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.ssci.2018.12.001

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Firefighting is a physically and mentally stressful activity. It is important to monitor the fatigue state of firefighters in real time in order to get a better occupational safety management though improving the efficiency of firefighting activities, preventing incidents and accidents during firefighting, and reducing human errors due to losing concentration. In general, safety management is based on the experience of the on-site leader and self-judgment of each team firefighter. We conducted two tests, a multi-step incremental load test and modified 20 m shuttle run test, and proposed an index which shows that metabolic state changed from aerobic to anaerobic. This index can be acquired noninvasively based on a frequency analysis of electrocardiographic information (RR interval). This index sensitively responds to load intensity and shows good correlation with other physiological information such as ventilatory threshold and blood lactic acid. We determined the alert threshold for "continuation of activity" based on results obtained in above mentioned two tests and verified the validity of these findings through application in other tests. One is constant load interval test and another is the standardised training test which simulates firefighting activities. It was confirmed that the alert threshold, which means the deviation from the aerobic metabolic state, can be used to estimate the degree of load on cardiopulmonary function of firefighters. By adding objective information proposed in this research to the subjective information felt by the firefighters themselves active at the firefighting site, further safety improvement of the firefighting activities can be expected.

Language: en

Keywords

Anaerobic metabolism threshold; Firefighters; Frequency analysis; Occupational safety