• Fire Science and Engineering
• /
• v.30 no.3
• /
• pp.133-137
• /
• 2016

The aims of this study were to analyze the Korean fire fighters' applications for the public worker's compensation between 2011 and 2013 and to suggest a feasible solution for prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. The Korean Ministry of Public Safety and Security provided the complete list of fire fighters' application from January 2011 to December 2013. 510 applicants with chief complaint of musculoskeletal disorders were screened out of all 1596 applicants. Male applicants were 92%. Fire fighters in their early 40's applied most frequently, followed by those in early 30's. Musculoskeletal disorders of fire fighters were reported most frequently in May and June. Regionally, Seoul had most applicants and Jeonbuk showed the highest prevalence. Low back was the most frequently reported body part followed by the knee. Ligament was insured most frequently followed by vertebral disc and bone. The fire fighter's injury occurred while fire extinguish (38.3%), emergency medical service (37.7%), rescue (12.4%), and other duties. Result of this study suggests further investigation on the large variation in regional prevalence and on the injury mechanism of musculoskeletal disorders especially during the fire extinguish and emergency medical service.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
• /
• v.19 no.3
• /
• pp.114-125
• /
• 2019

The frequency of official injury of fire-fighting officers exposed to an extreme situation in disaster areas has been continuously increased. In spite of increase of injury, procedures of injury approval are complex, so the working environment of fire-fighting officers is very poor in terms of safety management. This study was, therefore, conducted to provide basic data for improvement of the injury management system for fire-fighting officers, by empirically analyzing the system for those in Busan city. The findings of the empirical analysis are as follows: first, the frequency of injury experienced by them is higher than that of other occupations; second, application for injury is not actively made; third, fire-fighting officers should bear the expense if injury is approved. On the basis of such an analysis on actual conditions, an analysis on policy factors for improving the injury management system shows; first, various high-risk matters should be considered in the review of application for injury, for improvement factors of the application for injury, while it is necessary to extend the benefit and support project for injured officers, for operation improvement factors of the injury management system, and the compensation act should be improved, for the improvement factors of the injury system. Second, it is urgent to develop damage prevention and coping education program for improving the injury management system. In addition, the simplification of administrative procedures of application for injury and the extension of benefit and support project for injured officers should be realized as soon as possible, moreover, the enhancement of directors' interest and support is also required.