The New Nation - Internet Edition

Md Kamruzzaman Ferose

Police is a worker whose main job is to protect the public. This includes protection against crime, the preservation of civil order, enforcement of traffic and other regulations, prevention of alcohol and substance abuse, prevention of neighborhood disorders, firearm and weapon control, law enforcement and investigations as mandated by law and requested by the relevant national or local authority.

Hazards related to this Job: Different hazards to which police / law enforcement officers may be exposed in the course of their normal work.

Accident hazards: Accidents are most likely during emergency response of the policeman and may occur especially while doing first aid work, patrol car driving and riot control; Slips, trips, and falls while ascending and descending from roofs or while chasing suspects in a crime; Wounds caused by knife or other object; Wounds caused by random or careless shooting by others (incl. "friendly fire"); Self-inflicted wounds caused during firearms cleaning, loading, etc; Car or motorcycle accidents while chasing fleeing vehicles, or while fast driving in response to emergency calls.

Physical hazards: Exposure to ambient environmental factors (low or high air temperatures, rain, wind, snow, sun) resulting in acute (common cold, heat stroke, dehydration, etc.) or chronic diseases; Exposure to high noise levels from the emergency horn or on the firing range.

Chemical hazards: Exposure to lead while directing traffic, working on the firing range, or doing finger printing work; Exposure to excessive levels of carbon monoxide while directing traffic.

Biological hazards: Risk of contracting a contagious disease (HIV, infectious hepatitis, rabies, etc.) as a result of needle stick injury, human or animal bite, or close contact with infected/ill people; Infection caused by insects or rodents while entering polluted or abandoned places (esp. cellars, basements, etc.) for the purpose of inspection, search, observation, etc.

Psychosocial and organizational factors: Long periods of time spent inside vehicles may in the course of time result in musculoskeletal disorders (esp. low-back pains); Cumulative trauma disorders of lower extremities (e.g., flatfoot) as a result of long-time, extensive foot patrolling assignments; Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), most likely if the incident witnessed by the policeman has resulted in serious injury, or death to any of those involved; Exposure to various psychological stressors (stress - related disorders may be manifested as behavioral problems, marital or family problems, or sometimes as alcohol or substance abuse); Personal and/or family problems caused by irregular work hours (incl. at night), constant state of alertness (incl. when off duty), relations with peers and superiors within an hierarchical system typical of police and law-enforcement forces, and similar psychosocial factors; Fear of being prosecuted afterward for actions which seemed to be clearly indicated as necessary during an event, but later not considered as such (particularly by others) when the moments of peak stress were past. Following Preventive Measures should be taken:

When on duty, wear the personal protective equipment provided for the job at hand, e.g., bulletproof clothing

Wear appropriate hearing protection on the firing range

In rescue operations or when dealing with drug addicts, take precautions to avoid contact with body fluids; in particular do not expose cuts or other open skin wounds to body fluids, to avoid contamination with agents causing diseases such as AIDS, hepatitis, etc.

Learn relaxation exercises and perform them during long waiting periods

Seek psychological or vocational advice if experiencing work-related stresses or burnout

Select a work schedule that would have the least harmful effect on the employee's health, family and personal life - consult employees and specialists in shift scheduling

Firing-range instructors/ Police Staff on Traffic duty must submit periodical urine/blood tests for lead.