TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2016//
TI  - The cost and distribution of firefighter injuries in a large Canadian Fire Department
JO  - Work
A1  - Frost, D. M.
A1  - Beach, T. A. C.
A1  - Crosby, I.
A1  - McGill, S. M.
SP  - 497
EP  - 504
VL  - 55
IS  - 3
N2  - BACKGROUND: There is limited data available regarding the cost of firefighter injuries. This information is necessary to develop targeted injury prevention strategies. <br><br>OBJECTIVE: To categorize the cost of injuries filed in 2012 by firefighters from a from a large department by job duty, injury type, body part affected, and the general motion pattern employed at the time of injury. <br><br>METHODS: Data were taken from reports filed by CFD personnel and claims filed with the Workers' Compensation Board (WCB) of Alberta between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2012. <br><br>RESULTS: Of the 244 injuries reported, 65% were categorized as sprains and strains, the most frequent of which affected the back (32%). The total cost of all claims was $555,955; 77% were sprain/strain-related. Knee and back injuries were most costly ($157,383 and $100,459). Categorized by job duty, most sprains/strains (31%) were sustained while attending to fire station responsibilities, although physical training was associated with the highest costs (34%). Fireground operations were attributed to 18% of sprains/strains and 16% of costs. Lifting injuries were more frequent (23%) and costly (20%) than all injuries. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The most common and costly injuries occurred while attending to fire station-related responsibilities and during physical training.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 1051-9815
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.3233/WOR-162420
ID  - ref1
ER  -