Work environment safety and ergonomics in the ambulance

A good working environment is about being able to do your work without wearing yourself down. In the ambulance profession this is extra important because the stresses are both physical and mental — and because you often work under time pressure in places you have not chosen yourself.

You lift, carry, and move people who can't help themselves – often on stairs, in cramped apartments, or on uneven terrain. This is one of the biggest sources of wear and tear in the trade, especially for back, shoulders, and knees. Therefore, moving techniques and aids are not something you do if you have time, but a core service in safe work.

• 01Use stretchers sliding boards and other aids instead of raw force.
• 02Lift with your legs, keep your back in a good position and avoid twisting.
• 03Be two for heavy lifting – ask for help instead of pushing
• 04Arrange the working height so you avoid working bent over.

You encounter blood, secretions, and infectious diseases. Therefore, gloves, hand hygiene, and correct handling of sharps are basic routines, not optional. Protecting yourself against infection also protects the next patients you meet.

You'll see things most people never experience: serious accidents, deaths, and people at their worst moment. It stays with you. A strong psychological working environment is about it being normal and accepted to talk about difficult experiences — not biting the bullet.

• 01Use collegial debriefing after hard operations.
• 02Know the signs that an experience is stuck in you.
• 03Seek professional help in time – it's strength, not weakness.

Your own safety always comes first. You cannot help anyone if you yourself are injured. This means you assess the scene before going in: is there traffic fire aggressive people or other dangers? An unsafe scene must be secured before treatment can begin.

“You are no good as a second patient. Secure the site, secure yourself — then help.”

An entire working life in the ambulance requires that you take care of yourself every single shift. Good technique good habits and a culture where you look out for each other is what determines whether the trade wears you out — or whether you can continue for many years.