The Safety First Association invites anyone involved in fire safety and the emergency services to attend this much-needed and overdue conference.
Dates: 23-24 July 2024
Venue: Dräger Auditorium Woodmead Sandton
Cost: R6900
Contact: Debbie cell: 083 266 6662 for further information and the latest programme
or
Email: delinds@mweb.co.za or debbie@safety1st.co.za
PRESENTATION: Fire fighters: occupational risk from an occupational hygiene perspective
Background to presentation
Firefighting is one of the most dangerous, demanding and unpredictable occupations with intermittent exposure to occupational hazards contributing to potential serious occupational injuries and occupational diseases. It is clearly a dangerous work related activity but one that is a vital public service and part of the fabric of all communities.
Primary key elements of the topic
The focus on occupational hazards experienced by firefighters will be covered under the following key elements, inclusive of the following:
* Chemical hazards
Smoke is hazardous and potentially lethal with concentrated inhalation. Fire smoke may contain a mixture of toxic gasses, evaporated droplets and particles.
* Physical hazards
Physical dangers in firefighting may result in physical injury. Exposure to occupational noise, extreme temperatures (heat and cold stress), radiation, overexertion, vibration, etc. is also covered.
* Ergonomic hazards
Inclusive of musculoskeletal disorders due to excessive strain, awkward body position, heavy lifting, coupled with long working hours (between bouts of inactivity), under various working conditions with risk compounded by the associated mental challenges.
* Biological hazards
Exposure to communicable disease when treating patients through exposure to blood and other body fluids (i.e. C-19, Hep B & C, AIDS) in addition to various other viruses, mites, bacteria, moulds, etc.
* Psychosocial hazards
Burnout, cognitive and physical fatigue, depression, PTSD, alcohol and drug use/abuse, workplace violence, high levels of anxiety, excessive work related stress, etc,
Chronic Ill- health and occupational exposure
In addition to the immediate risk to the safety of responding fire fighters, this occupational group are also at risk to chronic health conditions i.e. occupational cancer, cardio vascular disease and other health conditions.
Safe work practices
General safe working practices to reduce exposure of fire fighters to various occupational health hazards, taking into consideration application of the NIOSH hierarchy of controls.
PRESENTERS
PAUL NEAL
Paul Neal is a Registered Occupational Hygienist employed with the City of Cape Town. He has close to 33 years collective experience across various professional fields with qualifications in environmental health, occupational safety, has previously managed the City corporate occupational health programme and is currently busy with his Research Masters in Philosophy (Occupational Health). His dissertation will cover the topic “Environmental and occupational risk factors associated with elevated exposure to inorganic gases among municipal fire fighters”
The vision of the South African Institute for Occupational Hygiene: “Ensuring healthy working environments in Africa through excellence in occupational hygiene” is the main driver behind Paul’s passion for the eradication of occupational disease in the workplace.
KAREN DU PREEZ
Karen du Preez is employed as Occupational Hygienist at the National Institute for Occupational Health (NIOH), a division of the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS). She is actively involved in risk and exposure assessment, teaching and training, and research activities.
She holds an MPH degree in Occupational Hygiene at UP, the Intermediate Certificate in Mine Environmental Control, and is registered with SANAS as Technical Assessor for ISO/IEC 17020 applicable to Occupational Health and Hygiene Inspection Bodies.
Karen obtained Registered Occupational Hygienist status from the Southern African Institute for Occupational Hygiene (SAIOH) in 2009, and currently serves as Vice-President of SAIOH for the 2023-2024 term.
Visit: https://www.safety1st.co.za/events/