Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #117405

Nadine R. Levick, MD, MPH and Maeve Garigan. Department of Emergency Medicine, Maimonides Medical Center, 4802 Tenth Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11219, 718-283-6052, nlevick@attglobal.net

The purpose was to identify applicable standards and potential devices for head protection for EMS providers. Reviewed biomechanical and epidemiological studies of head injury and government occupational and helmet and vehicle interior safety standards. Identification of extant helmets intended for, or adopted for use by EMS personnel. Determination of unique design requirements of head protection for ground EMS providers via expert panels. Biomechanical studies demonstrate significant potential for serious and/or fatal head impacts from interaction with hostile interior vehicle surfaces and unsecured equipment. The rear compartment of ambulances is EXEMPT from Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (571, 572 and 589) occupant head impact protection standards for occupants seated > 60cm rearward of the drivers seating position. Current protective equipment standards define head and eye protection requirements for firefighters, search and rescue providers and air EMS providers. Despite the significant head injury risks, there are no analogous approved standards and complying protective devices that address the needs of the ground EMS community. The unique design requirements for EMS head protection include eye and splash protection, provider-to-provider and provider-to-dispatcher communications and minimized profile to enable provider/patient interaction. Head impact has been identified as a morbidity and mortality hazard for ground EMS providers. This is likely predictable, and thus preventable by the use of safety equipment including head protection. There are no head protection standards for the protection of ground EMS providers. The unique design requirements have been identified to facilitate the development of a novel, purpose-built protective device and related voluntary standard.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion fo the session, the participant will be able to

• Identify applicable standards for head protection of EMS providers.
• Define the gaps in head protection for EMS providers.
• Describe specific needs for head protection equipment design for EMS providers.

Keywords: Occupational Safety, Protection

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation