Ergonomic risk factors and physical fatigue among ambulance workers in Bulgaria

Abstract

Abstract Background Ambulance workers' job is characterized by extended shifts, inconsistent shift patterns, poor sleep, non-ergonomic work places and work postures, high levels of physical and mental strain. Fatigue in the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) workplace may be related to high patient care loads, demanding work schedules, physical overload and associated stress. The impaired health of those workers can result in pressure on health and insurance systems for treating them as well as bad health care services for emergency patients. Methods The study was conducted among 468 workers in emergency healthcare centers in Bulgaria in the period from December 2017 to April 2018. A sociological method was used - a questionniare. The results of the study are presented using descriptive statistics and Chi-square test. Results The biggest part of participants complained from ergonomic hazards such as lifting, carrying weights have negative impact on their health: 71.1% of the ambulance drivers, 61.4% of the doctors, 53% of paramedics, followed by nurses with 52.4% and sanitarians with 51.9%. The distribution by positions show that high levels of physical fatigue are among paramedics 59.1%, followed by doctors - 58.3%, nurses 47.6%, medical orderly 33.3% and ambulance drivers 31.9%. The highest levels of the physical fatigue are among respondents at age up to 35 years. Risk reduction measures were developed and distributed among ambulance workers and their employers. Special stress coping strategies were implemented. Conclusions Work among ambulance workers is associated with a number of risks as among the main once are ergonomics and related high levels of physical fatigue at the end of the working day. Key messages The levels of ergonomic hazards are high among ambulance workers. Ergonomic hazards have negative impact on ambulance workers’ health and the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders is very high.