Occupational Injury Dynamics in Emergency Medical Services

Emergency medical service personnel operate in unpredictable, high-pressure environments that combine manual handling, rapid patient extrication and prolonged static postures within confined vehicle spaces. These factors converge to elevate the risk of musculoskeletal strain, impact-related trauma and overexertion injuries. Organisational influences—such as shift patterns, training provision and the presence or absence of safety committees—further modulate individual susceptibility. Psychological stressors and variable use of personal protective equipment add layers of complexity. Globally, studies report annual injury rates among emergency technicians ranging from one-third to nearly half of all practitioners. Common injury types include low back pain, sprains and bruising, often exacerbated by manual lifting of patients and equipment transfer on stairs or uneven terrain. Recent work emphasises multi-level prevention: ergonomic redesign of stretchers and cabin interiors, deployment of lift-assist devices, reinforcement of health and safety policies and embedding safety culture through regular training. An integrated approach that addresses mechanical exposures, organisational factors and psychosocial risks is emerging as the most effective route to reducing injury incidence and safeguarding both providers and patients.

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Occupational Injury Dynamics in Emergency Medical Services publication trend

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Technical terms

Extrication: The process of removing a patient from constrained environments such as vehicles or confined spaces.

Musculoskeletal strain: Physical stress or overload of muscles, tendons and ligaments during manual tasks.

Ergonomic intervention: Modification of tools, equipment or procedures to reduce injury risk and optimise human performance.

Prevalence: The proportion of a specified population experiencing a particular condition or event within a defined period.

Risk factor: Any attribute, characteristic or exposure that increases the likelihood of injury.

References

1. A mixed methods approach to describe the efficacy of lift assist device use to reduce low back musculoskeletal disorder risk factors during three common patient extrication scenarios. Applied Ergonomics (2024).
2. Prevalence and determinants of occupational injuries among emergency medical technicians in Northern Ghana. PLOS ONE (2023).
3. Use of the Airstretcher with dragging may reduce rescuers’ physical burden when transporting patients down stairs. PLOS ONE (2022).