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Issued: April 2001

SUMMARY

This report describes the results of our audit of Employee Safety in the Emergency Medical Services Department (EMS). The objective of this audit was to assess the effectiveness and adequacy of management controls for ensuring a safe workplace for all EMS employees. We found that certain aspects of EMS’ safety program need to be strengthened.

EMS has ranked among the highest of all City departments during Fiscal Years 1996 through 2000 in numbers of workers’ compensation claims and lost-time injuries per 100 full-time employees. While these rates dropped significantly in FY 00, the average cost per lost-time claim increased over $900 to $7,063.

The Department uses several methods to raise employees’ awareness of potential on-the-job injuries. Paramedics indicated that field commanders and the department overall demonstrated concern for their safety and did an effective job of communicating safety-related information. Yet, we also found that the department collects limited data and spends little time investigating the root cause of those injures not related to infectious disease incidents. Non-infectious disease incidents constitute the bulk of the department’s injuries and related costs.

EMS does not emphasize physical fitness for the majority of its incumbent employees. A paramedic’s job is inherently dangerous with situations often being encountered that can result in personal injury. In addition, constant bending and lifting can result in cumulative wear and tear on a paramedic’s back and knees. An average of thirty-one percent of EMS’ total incurred costs during FY 99 and FY 00 were for back related injuries. Instruction and promotion of physical activities, along with a mandatory assessment related to the essential functions of the job, should help in reducing the occurrence and recurrence of injuries. In addition, a functional capacity/work capacity evaluation for paramedics before they return to full duty following an injury may also help in reducing the recurrence of the same or a similar injury.

EMS needs to strengthen or begin efforts in the following areas:

• Investigation and collection of information for each injury incident,
• Trend analysis of injuries to determine causal relationships,
• Development of mitigating strategies to prevent and reduce injury incidents,
• Establishment of performance measures and targets for reduction of all types of employee injuries,
• Better use of the department’s Safety Committee to influence a reduction in workplace injuries,
• Regular review of the safety program,
• Review and revision of the Accident Prevention Plan, and
• Development of a fitness assessment for paramedics and return-to-work testing following an injury.