User:Clark3ei/Police officer safety and health



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Police officers face various occupational hazards such as poor ergonomics, musculoskeletal problems, exposure to infectious diseases and illicit substances.

Occupational Hazards/Epidemiology

Ergonomic Hazards

Law enforcement is a hazardous profession with various inherent sources of risk. A common occupational risk for police officers is poor ergonomics. In fact, it is estimated that 67% of police officers experience chronic low back pain due to ergonomic issues such as prolonged sitting in patrol cars and wearing heavy duty belts. Heavy and cumbersome duty belts can be of special concern to female officers. Recent innovations have been targeted at decreasing the weight and size of the belt without compromising necessary tools. In recent years, some law enforcement organizations have introduced physical wellness programs that hope to mitigate ergonomic problems through strength training and general exercise.

Bloodborne pathogen exposure

According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) it is estimated that 3.8%-8% of police officers in the United States have reported sustaining a needlestick or sharps injury. These type of injuries often occur during such activities as performing an arrest, searching property or being involved in a take-down. Needlestick and sharps injuries are concerning because they carry the risk of transmission of infectious diseases such as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C. The incidence of officer needlestick injuries can be reduced through employer prevention training and education. NIOSH has provided official educational material for employers and police officers that targets prevention as well as steps to follow if a needlestick injury does occur.

Unintentional Exposure to Illicit Drugs

Exposure to illicit drugs is a common occupational hazard for police officers and thus proper education and use of personal protective equipment is crucial. Possible routes of exposure include inhalation, contact with a mucous membrane or non-intact skin, ingestion or via needlestick. In recent years, occupational exposure to fentanyl powder by law enforcement has been heavily publicized. NIOSH provided guidance noting that officers should wear nitrile gloves, respiratory protection, and eye protection to avoid unintentional fentanyl exposure. While use of appropriate personal protective equipment is crucial, efforts have been made to alleviate anxiety around fentanyl overdose by educating officers that an overdose would not occur through the absorption of the drug via intact skin.