Repercussion of working conditions on the health of wildland firefighters: a Scoping Review.

• Alba Arribas López ^[3] ; Ouafae El Majjaoui-Sekkaki ^[1] ; Ana Covadonga González Pisano ^[2] ; Mario Mayo Herrero ^[4] ; Paula Naranjo Pastor ^[5]
  1. [1] Hospital Universitario Príncipe de Asturias

     Hospital Universitario Príncipe de Asturias

     Alcalá de Henares, España

     
  2. [2] Universidad de Oviedo

     Universidad de Oviedo

     Oviedo, España

     
  3. [3] Unidad Docente Multidisciplinar de Salud Laboral del Hospital Universitario de Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda, Madrid, España.
  4. [4] Complejo Asistencial de León, Unidad Docente Multidisciplinar de Salud Laboral de Castilla y León, León, España.
  5. [5] Hospital Universitario La Princesa, Unidad Docente Multidisciplinar de Salud Laboral del Hospital Universitario La Princesa, Madrid, España.

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• Localización: The European Journal of Occupational Health Nursing (EJOHN), ISSN-e 2444-7226, ISSN 2174-2510, Vol. 4, Nº. 3, 2025, págs. 11-63
• Idioma: inglés
• DOI: 10.70324/ejohn.v4i3.75
• Enlaces
  • Texto completo (pdf)
• Resumen

  • Introduction: Climate change intensifies wildfires by increasing temperatures, reducing rainfall, and bringing forward snowmelt. Their extinction involves multiple risks for firefighters due to the extreme conditions of their work. The main aim of the study was to describe the relationship between working conditions and their effects on the health of wildland firefighters.

    Objectives: The main objective of this scoping review is to explore and describe the relationship between working conditions and the impact on the health of wildland firefighters.

    Method: Scoping Review based on PRISMA-ScR and academic regulations, using scientific sources published between 2014 and 2024, analysed through descriptive statistics.

    Results: Most studies were published between 2019 and 2022, mainly in the United States, with descriptive and cohort methodologies. The population studied consisted mainly of men with the category of wildland firefighter. The main occupational risks analysed were exposure to chemical agents and extreme temperatures. The most frequent diseases were cardiovascular, respiratory, and immunological. Among the prevention strategies, the use of protective equipment, cooling measures, shift regulation, and health surveillance stood out.

    Conclusions: Repeated exposure to extreme environmental conditions affects the health of wildland firefighters, generating physical and mental issues. Improving personal protective equipment and optimising hydration, cooling, and post-exposure hygiene practices, together with health surveillance, are key to reducing the negative effects of their work.

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