b'O P E R A T I O N S L E T A L F ire fighters and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) M U S C U L O S K Epersonnel work in complex environments resulting in significant risk for occupational injuries. Whether its fighting a fire, providing EMS, transporting patients, responding to an emergency, training on the drill ground, participating in routine physical fitness, or completing simple tasks around the fire station, the risk for injuries and musculoskeletal disorders is present. Every year, tens of thousands of emergency responders are injured while performing their job. What are occupational musculoskeletal injuriesand disorders?Musculoskeletal injuries and disorders (MSD) are non-impact injuries or disorders of the muscles, nerves, tendons, joints, cartilage, and spinal discs (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2020) caused by workers forceful exertions, highly repetitive motions, awkward postures, and vibration. A musculoskeletal injury usually results from a single event, whereas a musculoskeletal disorder results from cumulative exposures. Fire fighters are exposed to occupational risks for MSDs, such as lifting and carrying heavy items, pushing and pulling heavy loads, working in awkward positions, bending, twisting or reaching overhead, and performing the same tasks repetitively (Occupational Safety and Health Administration [OSHA], n.d.). Furthermore, environmental factors can contribute to MSDs, such as heat, cold, noise, vibration, inadequate lighting, and poorly designed or inadequate equipment. Examples MUSCULO-MSDs are the most common cause of lost work time workers SKELETAL compensation claims among Washington fire fighters. Four of 10 fire fighter lost time Best practices for prevention of workers compensation occupational musculoskeletal disordersclaims are MSDs.42'