Occupational hazards in the consciousness of the paramedic in emergency medical service
Disaster and Emergency Medicine Journal · 2022-09-30 · Observational study
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Due to their occupational responsibilities and volatile work environment, paramedics are in constant contact with harmful, dangerous factors, making them vulnerable to a number of occupational health risks. These include harmful biological, chemical, physical, as well as psychophysical factors (musculoskeletal system strain, stress, patient aggression, occupational burnout). The present study aims to evaluate occupational hazard prevalence among emergency medical service (EMS) paramedics, the possibility of occupational illness incidence, and related prophylaxis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The participant sample consisted of paramedics employed in five mobile EMS operational areas in the Masovian voivodship. The study involved 238 people, including 223 men and 15 women. The mean age was 39.03 ± 9.27 years for males, and 31.93 ± 7.76 years for females. The study took place between May and September 2019 using diagnostic survey methodology. RESULTS: Participants ordered the following factors based on a scale of threat: biological factors (47%), psychophysical factors (41%), chemical factors (7%), and physical factors (5%). Health issues included musculoskeletal system discomfort (39%) and mental overload (33%). Participants indicated harmful biological factors to cause illnesses such as influenza (85%), tuberculosis (79%), and hepatitis B or C (70%). The study showed that 73% of the participants are occupationally exposed to patient aggression, while 15% experienced occupational burnout. CONCLUSIONS: Paramedics are exposed to a number of occupational hazards daily. The ones most significant in terms of serious disease development are harmful biological factors, musculoskeletal risk factors, fatigue, mental overload related to occupational responsibilities.
Abstract © the authors or publisher, via OpenAlex. Reuse and removal
Tags
Clinician perspective · Paramedics & EMTs
Related articles
- Emergency healthcare providers perception of workplace dangers in the polish Emergency Medical Service: a multi-centre survey study (Disaster and Emergency Medicine Journal, 2019)
- A qualitative study of health problems, risk factors, and prevention among Emergency Medical Service workers. (Work, 2015)
- Prevalence of burnout and associated moderator factors among emergency medical services personnel: a meta-analysis. (Eur J Emerg Med, 2026)
- Factors associated with work-life balance among emergency physicians, nurses, and paramedics: a systematic review. (Front Public Health, 2026)
- Mental Health Safety Challenges Among Pre-Hospital Emergency Medical Service Providers: A Scoping Review. (IISE Trans Occup Ergon Hum Factors, 2026)
- Why Do Emergency Medical Service Employees (Not) Seek Organizational Help for Mental Health Support?: A Systematic Review. (Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2025)