Perceived risks of, and management of occupational health hazards among firefighters in Naga City

• Main Author: Fullante, Ma. Khristine Abelinde
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2011
• Subjects: Industrial hygiene; Industrial safety; Social and Behavioral Sciences
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_masteral/4078; https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/context/etd_masteral/article/10916/viewcontent/CDTG005051_P.pdf
• Institution: De La Salle University

This study aimed to describe the perceived risks and management of occupational health hazards among selected firefighters in Naga City. It determined how firefighters socio-demographic, level of knowledge, types and frequency of occupational health hazards experienced influenced their perceived risks of occupational health hazards. Furthermore, it determined how types and frequency of occupational health hazards experienced and perceived risks of occupational health hazards influenced the management of these job-related hazards among firefighters. Seventy firefighters (30 employed and 40 volunteers) coming from Naga City Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and Chin Po Tong Volunteer Fire Brigade, Inc. (CPTVFB) participated in the study. They were purposively selected and surveyed through the use of self-administered questionnaires. Results of the study revealed that majority of the firefighters in Naga City belong to young-aged group (18-19) and working as volunteer in firefighting services. Majority of the firefighters who belong in the middle-aged group and old-aged were employed firefighters. These firefighters have a moderate level of knowledge. Results also show that the most frequently occupational hazards experienced by the firefighters are the following (1) psychosocial (2) physical and (3) chemical hazards. They have never experienced biological hazards. In addition, these firefighters perceived risks of occupational health hazards moderately. Moreover, they chose to seek health care treatment from hospital or similar facilities. Furthermore, it was revealed that perceived risks of occupational health hazards is influenced by level of knowledge. Data also show that similar factors examined did not influence management of occupational health hazards.