Research Institute for Human Ecology, Seoul National University, Republic of Korea.
Reliability Assessment Center, FITI Testing & Research Institute, Republic of Korea.
Ind Health. 2022 Feb 8;60(1):2-15. doi: 10.2486/indhealth.2021-0068. Epub 2021 Oct 5.
This study aimed to investigate the current situation of firefighting burn injuries and personal protective equipment (PPE) in Korea using a questionnaire. A questionnaire was constructed and then distributed to fire stations via the Fire & Disaster Headquarters of Korea. Responses from a total of 536 firefighters who were currently responsible for suppressing fire or doing rescue work were analysed (39.2 ± 8.58 y in age, 173.8 ± 5.0 cm in height, 73.4 ± 8.9 kg in body weight). The results showed that 22% of firefighters had experienced burns but of these 93% of were burns of less than 1% of total body surface area. The most common body site of burn injury was the hands (37%) and the head (face and neck) (34%). There were significant relationships between PPE non-compliance and career years, especially for the hood and boots. According to firefighters their gloves were the most vulnerable part of their PPE. We also elucidated relationships between the body sites most vulnerable to burn injuries and PPE wear compliance by item. The present results suggest that officially-undisclosed minor burn injuries but prevailing among firefighters can be reduced through improving firefighters' protective helmet, hoods and gloves.
本研究旨在通过问卷调查的方式，调查韩国消防烧伤现状和个人防护装备（PPE）的使用情况。我们设计了一份问卷，并通过韩国消防与灾难总部分发给消防站。共分析了 536 名目前负责灭火或救援工作的消防员的回复（年龄 39.2±8.58 岁，身高 173.8±5.0cm，体重 73.4±8.9kg）。结果显示，22%的消防员曾经历过烧伤，但其中 93%的烧伤面积小于 1%的体表总面积。最常见的烧伤部位是手（37%）和头（面部和颈部）（34%）。PPE 不合规与职业年限之间存在显著关系，尤其是在头盔和靴子方面。根据消防员的说法，他们的手套是 PPE 中最脆弱的部分。我们还通过项目阐明了最易受烧伤伤害的身体部位与 PPE 穿戴合规性之间的关系。本研究结果表明，通过改进消防队员的防护头盔、头罩和手套，可以减少官方未公开的消防员小面积烧伤。
