Firefighters
Overview
Type of intervention(s):
Inspection campaignNumber of inspections undertaken:
44 inspections, 26 work place visits.
Duration of campaign:
2021-09-01 – 2022-05-31Scope of intervention
Key duties
Chemical inventory and risk assessments.
Focus of the Campaign
The objective of the campaign was to fire stations. Chemical hazards, pressure devices, work equipment and traffic were the risks in focus during the inspections. No follow up inspection campaign was conducted.
Key findings of intervention
Positive findings
Although the intervention was limited to 26 work place visits, the attention the campaign gathered nationally was much larger. This resulted in increased number of questions from firefighter organisations regarding occupational safety and regulations.
Negative findings
Requirement for 78 % of the visited workplaces, primarily regarding lack of information on chemical risks to employers and insufficient risk assessments.
General findings
Workplaces within older buildings had more difficulties separating contaminated and uncontaminated clothing and materials.
Key outcomes following intervention
We could see that the risks that exists for firefighters in combination with the shortcomings that were identified in the work environment shows that more active preventive work is needed.
The people in charge need to understand that investments may be needed to ensure that the premises are suitable for their intended purpose throughout all parts in the entire chain of work.
Level and type of enforcement issued
- Written advice
The majority of the requirements concerned chemical risks, but requirements were also set in other areas.
Additional information
The results from the inspections were of general interest since the rescue service affects the whole society. The campaign highlighted the importance of following a Swedish model developed for improving the work environment and health of firefighters (Healthy firefighters – the Skellefteå Model improves the work environment). With proper knowledge, good routines and workflows, and the right tools, the exposure to hazardous chemicals can be minimized.
