Impact of Personal Protective Equipment Use on Stress and Psychological Well-Being Among Firefighters: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Doru Costin Darabont (), Lucian-Ionel Cioca, Costică Bejinariu, Daniel Onuț Badea (), Oana Roxana Chivu and Timur Vasile Chiș
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Doru Costin Darabont: National Research and Development Institute on Occupational Safety—I.N.C.D.P.M. “Alexandru Darabont”, 35A Ghencea Blvd., Sector 6, 061692 Bucharest, Romania
Lucian-Ionel Cioca: Industrial Engineering and Management Department, Faculty of Engineering, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, 550024 Sibiu, Romania
Costică Bejinariu: Materials Engineering and Industrial Safety Department, Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering, Gheorghe Asachi Technical University of Iasi, 67 Dimitrie Mangeron str., 700050 Iasi, Romania
Daniel Onuț Badea: National Research and Development Institute on Occupational Safety—I.N.C.D.P.M. “Alexandru Darabont”, 35A Ghencea Blvd., Sector 6, 061692 Bucharest, Romania
Oana Roxana Chivu: Faculty of Industrial Engineering and Robotics, National University of Science and Technology Politehnica of Bucharest, 313 Splaiul Independenței, 060042 Bucharest, Romania
Timur Vasile Chiș: Faculty of Oil and Gas Engineering, Oil-Gas University of Ploiesti, 39 Bucureşti Blvd., 100680 Ploieşti, Romania

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 22, 1-23

Abstract: This study evaluated the individual and psychosocial impacts of personal protective equipment on firefighters by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis. While PPE is necessary for the protection of firefighters, it can also lead to a number of challenges, which may be both physical and psychological. This assessment incorporates insights from several studies that discuss the factors of stress related to the use of PPE by firefighters. The key aspects of the assessment include the adverse effects of overheating, the restriction of free movements, the inability to speak normally, and various other factors that increase stress. Studies have revealed that the use of PPE increases physical and mental stress levels by 10–25%, which increases overall anxiety by 35% and stress levels by 20–30%. The results suggest that the use of PPE is correlated with heightened levels of both physical and mental stress, leading to a 35% increase in anxiety and a 20–30% increase in stress. This study highlights the need to adopt a multidisciplinary approach to address and reduce the effects of PPE use on stress. Policy directions are aimed at improving PPE design, applying stress prevention programs, and controlling organizational strategies to protect firefighters’ safety and well-being.

Keywords: firefighters; occupational safety and health sustainability; personal protective equipment; sustainable stress management (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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