title: [Risk perception, use of PPE and injuries among firefighters].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The present study, situated in the safety at work issue, is aimed to evaluate the risk perception and preventive behaviour (the use of individual protection devices) in the fire brigade work, with reference to the most typical risk for these workers: cylinder blast; fire and exhalation of toxic steam; road accidents; falls, cuts, contusions; stress and physical strain. To this end a psychosocial perspective is adopted and different dimensions of risk perception are considered.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected through a questionnaire filled in by 115 fire brigade workers and were statistically analysed to describe the risk perception about the different risks, to evaluate the relationship between the different dimensions of risk perception and to verify the variables that are more predictive of injuries.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cylinder blast is perceived as the most severe risk and participants report to be more exposed and trained to this specific risk in comparison with others. Falls, cuts, contusions as well as stress and fatigue are considered to be contributing factors of injuries. Participants with previous injuries are more likely to report to be exposed (r = .23; p < .05) and to be in danger (r = .22; p < .05) to occupational risks and to report less compliance with individual protective devices (r = .23; p < .05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results show the relevance of promotion of safe-related behaviours among fire fighters and to take into account specific risk related to the job.
authors: Dipartimento di Scienze dell'Educazione dell'Università di Bologna, Italy.
authors: Elisa
authors: E
authors: Saccinto
authors: Luca
authors: L
authors: Pietrantoni
authors: Stefano
authors: S
authors: Toderi
authors: Gabriele
authors: G
authors: Prati
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000062:Accidents, Occupational / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D003288:Contusions / Q000453:epidemiology; D005221:Fatigue / Q000453:epidemiology; D061388:Firefighters / Q000523:psychology*; D006260:Head Protective Devices; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011482:Protective Devices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*