Flood victim evacuation: issue of musculoskeletal injuries of the helpers
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14456/dcj.2018.12Abstract
Flood victim evacuation is an important procedure in the emergency life-saving responses. Even though there are many portable devices and equipment to transfer flood victims during flood situation, the usage of equipment is limited by out of control situation, such as water level, rough ground, narrow space, etc. Therefore, helpers always use forceful exertion to lift and move flood victims. This article was aimed to present the reviewed risk information of the helpers to musculoskeletal injuries (MSI) to raise awareness and perception of risks in flood evacuation. Referring to the literature review, it was found that forceful exertion of helpers was the most common method to move victims during flood evacuation (72.30%) in Thailand. Prevalence of MSI of helpers was more than 60.00%, especially low back pain. It was also found that postures of one, two, and three helpers to move victims by forceful exertion were high risk to MSI. The percentage was showed 63.10%, 42.80% and 63.60%, respectively. In addition, a reported experiment study concerning with victims transfer in the United States indicated that average lumbar flexion more than 50 degrees led to compressive force on the L5-S1 disc over threshold limit value. This lifting task is the major activity contributing to the risk of muscle fatigue and lower back injury. The reviewed studies indicated that moving flood victims by forceful exertion postures can cause risk to MSI. Therefore, team leader and helpers should use the suitable flood evacuation procedures concerning with health and safety. They should be trained the skill and safety procedures for transferring victims, system of lifting team, communication between helpers and victims, and selecting the proper equipment. Besides, physical fitness test should be performed for helpers. In conclusion, the ergonomics for flood evacuation is not only important for health and safety of victims, but also for health and safety of helpers.
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