ERGONOMIC ANALYSIS OF HOSE ROLLING BY FIREFIGHTERS EMPLOYING A NEWLY CONSTRUCTED SURVEY INSTRUMENT
Firefighters often engage in the task of rolling hoses, yet the very process of hose rolling may pose ergonomic risks. Given the physically demanding nature of firefighting duties, improper or tool-lacking hose rolling techniques can potentially lead to ergonomic risk factors to the firefighters. Th...
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English English English |
| Published: |
2024
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://eprints.uthm.edu.my/12637/ |
| Abstract | Abstract here |
| Summary: | Firefighters often engage in the task of rolling hoses, yet the very process of hose rolling may pose ergonomic risks. Given the physically demanding nature of firefighting duties, improper or tool-lacking hose rolling techniques can potentially lead to ergonomic risk factors to the firefighters. The objective of this study is to develop and validate a survey instrument for ergonomic risk analysis related to hose rolling activities among firefighters. The second objective is to examine and analyze the relationships between ergonomic risk factors and variables of hose rolling activities among firefighters. This research used SPSS software for statistical analysis of hose rolling activities and measured the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among firefighters using the Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire (CMDQ). To analyse the Ergonomics Risk Factor (ERF) of rolling the fire hose, 381 Johor district fire station team members were given questionnaires. The instrument demonstrated validity and reliability, with Cronbach's alpha scores ranging from 0.741 to 0.928 for individual questions The study evaluated discomfort and its impact on work performance, consistently finding the highest scores in the lower back, knee, and upper back. Discomfort scores were 286.9 (lower back), 218.3 (knee), and 199.8 (upper back). CMDQ scores showed significant discomfort at 243.4 (lower back), 206.3 (knee), and 201.6 (upper back). Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) impacted work performance most in the lower back (237.2), knee (207.1), and upper back (202.6). The lower back, knee, and upper back consistently had the highest scores across all measures. The analysis revealed statistically significant relationships between ergonomic risk factors and variables in hose rolling activities among firefighters, with a P-value less than 0.05. In conclusion, the result of the research will benefit the public in terms of safety and emergency services sector, as a reference for to address firefighters’ health issues and the needs for assistive tools. |
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