health safety and wellbeing fitness policy

1 Health Safety and Wellbeing Fitness Policy

Fitness

Fire fighting is a physically demanding job and operational personnel must ensure that they achieve and maintain a minimum level of all round physical fitness in order to be able to operate safely and effectively at emergency incidents. In


PART 2 – PROCEDURE SECTION Introduction Responsibilities Chief Fire Officer Head of Service Delivery Head of Operational Policy and Assurance Station Managers Operational Fire Fighters Fitness Advisor Fitness Advocates OPA Admin Manager Annual Fitness Test Conducting the Chester Treadmill Test Chester Treadmill Performance Test Protocol Fireground functional test protocol Fireground functional test schematic

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addition the Service recognises that all staff benefit from being physically fit. Maintaining a reasonable standard of fitness reduces the risk of an individual suffering from a number of life threatening conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. OWNER Health Safety and Wellbeing Manager LAST REVIEW February 2018 REVIEW DUE DATE February 2019 VERSION CONTROL/AMEND SCHEDULE

Version 5

CROSS REFERENCES

1. Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 2. Revised Fitness Standards for Operational Personnel (NFCC) 3. National Framework amendment (DCLG) 4. Fitness for Fire and Rescue. Standards, Protocols and Policy (NFCC) 5. FireFit Preparatory Fitness Programme (NFCC) 6. Fit For Duty – Seeking a Healthier Fire Service (Home Office) 7. NJC Firefighter Fitness Best Practice Guide 1`(Home Office)

CONTENTS Section

Title PART 1 – POLICY SECTION Policy Scope of policy

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PART 3 – GUIDANCE SECTION Medical examinations Pre-employment medical examination Annual health checks Health checks for support staff Annual medical examination for hot fire trainers Three yearly medical examinations Body Mass Index and Hip to Waist Ratio Equipment for Fitness Training Health questionnaire Borg’s RPE scale

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POLICY STATEMENT

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service (the Service) promotes fitness for all of its employees. The Service requires its operational personnel to maintain a minimum standard of fitness in order that they are able to operate safely and effectively. All operational fire fighters are expected to be able to pass an annual fitness test intended to determine their physical fitness to work safely during operational incidents. Fire fighters are expected to maintain their fitness between the annual tests. This policy contributes to how the Service meets its legal obligations under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, both to our employees and others who may be affected by our activities.

Scope of Policy

This policy is intended primarily for operational staff who are required to maintain a minimum standard of fitness in order to operate safely and without risk to their health when undertaking operational duties, therefore the testing requirement will apply to all operational staff. However the Service recognises the benefit of a good standard of fitness for all employees as this reduces the risks of serious illnesses such as heart disease and diabetes, helps prevent illness and will speed recovery following injury or illness. All employees have access to the fitness equipment provided on stations and to regular health checks.

PART 1 – POLICY SECTION


Introduction

The Service recognises that operational personnel are required to work in physically demanding conditions; in order to do this they require a good level of all round physical fitness, this includes both muscular strength, endurance, core stability, flexibility and cardiovascular fitness, so as to fulfil their role safely and effectively. The Service embraces and seeks to implement the recommendations with regard to physical fitness and its assessment made in the Home Office document ‘Fit for Duty - Seeking a Healthier Fire Service’ published in February 2000 and to comply with the requirements of the National Framework Document with regard to firefighter fitness. The Service will comply with the requirements in the latter document to work with fire fighters to help them maintain fitness and where this is not possible we will fully explore opportunities for reasonable adjustments and/or suitable alternative employment. We will take into account the Firefighter Fitness Best Practice Guide developed by the National Joint Council for Local Authority Fire Services and published by the Home Office. The Service intends to follow the NFCC guidance published in Managing Physical Fitness, and has adopted the aerobic standard of 42.3 VO2max this will apply to all operational staff. This standard is the minimum to assure the safety of fire fighters at operational incidents.

Roles and Responsibilities The Chief Fire Officer will ensure that

• There is a policy to address fitness for operational fire fighters • To comply with the requirements of the National Framework document there

are processes to manage those who fail the fitness standard.

The Head of Service Delivery will ensure that • Space is provided on all fire stations to accommodate fitness equipment • The minimum fitness equipment to support all round fitness is provided on all

stations • All operational personnel undertake an annual assessment of their physical

fitness. • All operational fire fighters have a target in their appraisal with regard to

operational fitness • An inventory is kept of all fitness equipment on stations to include both that

provided by the Service and that provided by the stations through their Sports and Social funds.

PART 2 – PROCEDURE SECTION


The Head of Operational Policy and Assurance will

• Ensure that in addition to the annual fitness test, trainers employed to provide hot fire training and breathing apparatus (BA) training have an annual medical assessment.

Station Managers/Line managers will ensure

• That all fire fighters include a current Chester Treadmill Test (CTT) report as part of their personal development appraisal.

• That all fire fighters whose CTT report indicates potential fitness problems are referred to the Fitness Advisor for advice on a training programme to remedy the problem as part of their personal development plan

• Any firefighter who fails to meet the required fitness standard is removed from operational duties. (see Guidance Section)

• Ensure that only appropriate fitness equipment is allowed on station. (See the guidance section of this document)

• That any fitness equipment provided by the station Sports and Social Club is maintained and tested as appropriate.

• That copies of the firefighters fitness programme are available on station. • Fitness training is permitted on watches subject to satisfactory completion of

station routines and operational duties. Operational fire fighters will

• Maintain their fitness level in order that they are able to perform their duties in accordance with the Fire Fighters National Occupational Standards

• Routinely complete a CTT report prior to the appraisal • Attend an annual fitness test as required and bring with them their previous

CTT results. Fitness Advisor will

• Arrange and conduct an annual fitness test using the Chester Treadmill Performance Test for every member of operational staff according to the published test protocol.

• Maintain a record of fitness test results and any remedial advice or training provided

• Provide the fire fighter with a copy of their CTT test results • Inform the line manager and appropriate HR Business Partner of any fire fighter

who fails the fitness test not achieving 35.6VO2max and who must be taken off the run.

• Advise the HR Business Partner and line manager of any firefighter who requires a referral to OHU for medical advice

• Advise the manager of any fire fighter who fails to reach 42.3 VO2max but is over 35.6VO2max who needs additional training but who may remain on the run and agree with the manager the timing for a fireground functional fitness test.

• Inform the line manager of any fire fighter who fails the test when an OHU referral may be appropriate.

• Advise fire fighters who fail the annual test on measures required to improve their standard of fitness before they are re-tested and agree a timescale for re-


testing. • Arrange and conduct repeat tests and fireground functional tests as necessary • Provide advice to management on all aspects of physical fitness training • Provide the Service Health Safety and Well-being Committee with statistics

regarding fitness standards in CFRS. With details of the number of tests completed, the number of failed tests and the number of re-tests; the data needs to show a comparison between whole time, day crewed, DC1, Nucleus and on call duty systems. The review of Fitness testing results will also consider age and gender.

• Ensure there is a contract for the maintenance of all Service provided fitness equipment.

• Ensure that as part of the maintenance program the treadmills are calibrated to ensure the speed an inclination are correct.

• Recruit and train watch based Physical Training Advocates. • Provide staff with induction in the use of fitness equipment as appropriate

Physical Training Advocates will

• Provide advice to colleagues on fitness training • Refer colleagues to the Fitness Advisor as necessary • Conduct on watch fitness tests every 6 months to provide firefighters with

evidence of fitness to support their performance appraisal. • Ensure that the fitness equipment on station remains fit for purpose and inform

the Fitness Advisor of any equipment that needs maintenance or repair. • Provide all new staff on station with an induction on the use of all of the fitness

equipment on station

Operational Policy Admin Manager will ensure that • A program for fitness testing all operational staff is in place • Operational staff are sent advanced notice of the date and venue for their

annual fitness test.

Annual Fitness Test Aerobic fitness standard The service has adopted an aerobic fitness standard of 42.3 VO2max as the minimum standard for operational firefighters. All operational staff are required to meet this standard; to ensure this, the Fitness Advisor will conduct an annual fitness test with every operational staff member. The aerobic fitness standard of 42.3VO2max is recommended by NFCC and is based on research commissioned by the FireFit Steering Group. This research measured the aerobic demands of a range of tasks commonly carried out at operational fire incidents. The research was conducted in collaboration with the University of Bath and involved male and female firefighters of varying ages. Additional research has validated a fireground functional fitness test to supplement


the CTT, the Fire Brigades Union was consulted on this test and agreed to its use as a measure of fire fighter fitness.

The research has demonstrated that for a firefighter to work safely under BA, he or she needs to have an aerobic capacity of at least 35.6 VO2max. However individual physiological variation and operational circumstances may affect this, therefore to build in a safety margin of approximately 20% FireFit have recommended 42.3 VO2max as the standard with the lower, minimum standard set at 35.6 VO2max.

A member of operational staff who fails to complete the Chester Treadmill Test achieving 42.3 VO2max, but achieves more than 35.6VO2max (completion of level 12 gradient) will remain operational; however, will be required to complete a fireground functional fitness test. If the firefighter passes the fireground functional test, they will remain operational and he/she will be provided with a fitness training programme intended to achieve the 42.3VO2max in their next test in 3 months time. The fireground functional test will be carried out at headquarters as soon as possible, and normally not less than a maximum of two weeks following the completion of the Chester Treadmill Test.

The fitness training programme, timescale for improvement and date for the retest will be agreed between the Fitness Advisor and the individual. Under normal circumstances it is expected that a firefighter would be able to achieve the fitness standard within at least six months.

We will conduct regular management reviews of progress towards achieving the standard, failure to achieve the standard within six months will result in the case being referred to the People and Development Department.

A firefighter who does not achieve 35.6VO2max will be taken off operational duties. The firefighter will be referred to the Fitness Advisor for support to regain an appropriate level of fitness and to the line manager for appropriate management action.


We will implement the above flow chart with the introduction of this version of the policy with the aim of implementing the NFCC FireFit flow chart shown below within three years.

Conducting the Chester Treadmill Performance Test The annual fitness test will be conducted by the Service Fitness Advisor. The test will where possible be conducted on station using the station treadmill. The Fitness Advisor will

• Check that the speed and angles of inclination are correct. • Conduct a pre-test health assessment of the person to be tested using the

check list • Record the BMI of the firefighter to be tested • Instruct the firefighter to be tested on the process for the test • Fit the firefighter with a heart rate monitor. This is not used to predict the

outcome of the test but to monitor the wellbeing of the fire fighter being tested and if necessary determine at what level a fire fighter has failed in order to determine whether they remain on the run or not.

• Conduct the Chester Treadmill Performance Test. Any fire fighter completing the full cycle of the Chester Treadmill (Performance) Test will be deemed to have achieved the minimum fitness requirement for the Service.

• Record the outcome of the test and provide the firefighter with a record of the test.

• Send a record of the test to the OPA Admin hub for filing.


If necessary the Fitness advisor will provide the fire fighter with advice on further measures needed to improve his/her fitness. If the firefighter has failed the test a date will be agreed for a retest. Chester Treadmill Performance Test Protocol The Chester Treadmill Walk Test is a cardiovascular and muscular endurance test lasting 12 minutes (17 minutes including warm up and cool down) and covering just over 1.5km at a test speed of 6.2km/h (3.85mph). It is a method of determining an individual’s aerobic capacity from their performance, walking at 6.2km/h on a treadmill where the incline steadily increases. Subjects able to complete the full 12 minute test will have achieved the recommended fitness standard. This is a 12 minute graded, treadmill walk test designed to assess whether or not the firefighter can achieve the minimum recommended standard for aerobic capacity of 42.3VO2 max. Firefighters who achieve a test time of 10 minutes (completes all of level 5, 12% incline on this test will be considered to have achieved 36 VO2max and be fit to continue operational firefighting; however they will be required to undertake a fitness training programme and a functional fitness test at a date agreed with the Fitness Adviser. Firefighters who fail to reach 10 minutes will be considered to have not met the minimum standard for operational duty of 35.6VO2max. For some individuals this may be a maximal test and care will be taken by the tester to ensure that if the firefighter is unable to keep up with the work rate or shows signs of distress that the test will be stopped and the firefighter allowed to cool down. Energy cost (VO2max) of walking at 6.2kph (3.85mph) at different gradients

Time (mins) 0 - 2 2 - 4 4 - 6 6 - 8 8 - 10 10 - 12

Treadmill gradient (%) 0 3 6 9 12 15

VO2 ( VO2max) 14 19 25 31 36 42.3

The test begins with a 2 minute warm-up on a 0% gradient, at a speed of 4km/h; the treadmill then speeds up to the test speed of 6.2km/h, again on a 0% gradient, for a further 2 minutes. From this point on, the speed stays at 6.2km/h, until the speed and incline reduce for the cool-down period. Following the 4 minute period at 0%, the incline increases to a 3% gradient for another 2 minutes.


The incline continues to increases by 3% every 2 minutes, (6%, 9% and 12%) until it reaches the final component of the test where it reaches its highest incline of 15% with 5 minutes left on the clock. A cool down is then performed at 4.0km/h, 1 minute 30 seconds at 3% gradient followed by 1 minute 30 seconds at 0% gradient. Pre-test

1. There should be no medical contraindications to performing a potentially exhausting exercise. Additional health screening may be necessary.

2. The subject should wear loose fitting clothing or shorts, T-shirt and trainers or similar footwear suitable for walking on a treadmill.

3. The subject should be familiar with walking briskly on a treadmill without using handrails for support.

4. An RPE Chart must be clearly visible to the subject. Chester Treadmill Test protocol Warm up - Following a gentle loosening and limbering, the subject is asked to walk on the treadmill at 0% for a 2 minute warm up the speed being gradually increased to 4.0 km/hr when the test is commenced. Level 1: 0 – 2 minutes at 0% gradient & a speed of 6.2 km/h. At the end of the level check that the RPE is less than 18, if so proceed to level 2. Level 2: 2 – 4 minutes at 3% gradient & a speed of 6.2km/h. At the end of the level check that the RPE is less than 18 if so proceed to level 3. Level 3: 4 – 6 minutes at 6% gradient & a speed of 6.2km/h. At the end of the level check that the RPE is less than 18 if so proceed to level 4. Level 4: 6 – 8 minutes at 9% gradient & a speed of 6.2km/h. At the end of the level check that the RPE is less than 18 if so proceed to level 5. Level 5: 8 – 10 minutes at 12% gradient & a speed of 6.2km/h. At the end of the level check that the RPE is less than 18 if so proceed to level 6. Level 6: 10 – 12 minutes at 15% gradient & a speed of 6.2km/h. At the end of the level check that the RPE is less than 18; end of the test Cool Down: 1 minute 30 seconds at 3% gradient, followed by 1 minute 30 seconds at 0% gradient & a speed of 4.0km/h

Fireground Functional Test Protocol The test simulates carrying equipment of and up to the weight of 25kg, rescuing a 55kg casualty from an industrial building, and rolling out 4 lengths of standard 70mm hose to set up a water supply from a fire hydrant to a fire appliance situated 100 metres apart.


The test will usually be conducted at headquarters over a 25 metre course. To meet the required fitness standard of 42.3 VO2max, the participant must complete all elements of the test within a time of 11 minutes and 11 seconds. A member of operational staff who fails to meet the standard of 42.3, will be removed from operational duties. The Fitness Adviser will provide the firefighter with a fitness training programme and support intended to help them achieve the 42.3VO2max standard within an agreed timescale.

Pre-test

• All participants will undergo health screening before commencing the functional test. If there are any contraindications a formal OHU assessment will be requested.

• An assessment of the ground conditions/environmental factors must be conducted prior to the test.

• Participants must be rigged in full PPE inclusive of flash hood and gloves. • All participants will be briefed with the running order of the test. • Correct manual handling techniques will be demonstrated. • The participant is encouraged to check the setup of the hose and BA set prior

to commencing the test. Test Protocol

• Observers’ and facilitators’ are not permitted to physically assist the participant to complete the test i.e. assistance with donning the BA set etc.

• The test will start once the participant picks up the 25kg barbell weight. • Participants must clearly start and finish each shuttle, stepping on or past the

25 meter line/marker • The test must be completed in the order as detailed: Section 1, section 2 and

then section 3 • Participants are not permitted to run/jog when carrying the barbell, or whilst

wearing the BA set • Running/jogging is permitted when carrying and running out hose and at all

other times unless otherwise stated • The barbell must be carried with both hands holding it to the front of the body,

over hand, under hand or a combination grip is permitted. Carrying the barbell in any other way i.e. over the shoulder or across the chest in a cradle is not permitted

• The BA set must be rigged correctly with all set straps fastened • The participant will lock their arms under the manikin’s arms and drag the

manikin walking backwards. The facilitator will walk with the participant when carrying out the casualty drag to act as safety officer


• The facilitator will write down the time elapsed at the end of each section, will provide encouragement and will inform the participant of progress

• At the end of the test the facilitator will ask the participant for their RPE score and record this along with the finishing time. A copy of the test will be given to the participant at their request.


Medical examinations In addition to the fitness test the Service conducts a number of medical examinations depending on role; these are conducted by our OHU provider. Pre-employment medical examination All fire fighters and support staff are required to undertake a pre-employment medical examination. For fire fighters there is a national fitness standard that must be achieved as part of the selection process. The purpose of this test is to ensure that when a fire fighter is asked to work in hard physical conditions that neither their health and safety nor that of colleagues or members of the public will be impaired due to a poor standard of physical fitness. Potential fire fighters must be able to achieve the fitness standard using the CTT. Health Surveillance The Service provides three yearly health checks for members of the Senior Management Team and technicians in Operational Planning and Assurance. Health checks for support staff The Service provides all support staff with the voluntary opportunity for a health check every three years. Annual medical examination for hot fire trainers Officers who provide hot fire training and BA training are exposed to the subsequent risks more frequently than operational fire fighters. To ensure the health and safety of this group of staff the Service requires them to undergo an annual medical examination by an Occupational Health Practitioner that includes listening to the heart and lungs to ensure there are no cumulative affects from frequent hot wears. Three-yearly medical examination All operational personnel are expected to maintain a minimum standard of physical fitness as part of their role map. To ensure that this standard is maintained, all fire fighters are required to pass a three-yearly medical examination. The three-yearly medical examination for fire fighters will be conducted by a member of the Occupational Health Unit. As part of the three yearly medical the OHU nurse will carry out the following tests

- Height/weight ratio and body fat percentage - Urine analysis - Visual acuity - Colour vision - Blood pressure - Lung function - Hand grip

PART 3 – GUIDANCE SECTION


- Audiometry - Electrocardiograph (where clinically indicated; any cardiac clinical assessment

will be completed via the GP or cardiologist and the FF fitness assessed by the OHP if there is any cause for concern)

The Occupational Health Unit will use the guidance contained in “Medical and Occupational Evidence for Recruitment and Retention in Fire and Rescue Services” to inform decisions about health and fitness for operational staff. The Occupational Health Doctor may be required to conduct further tests should the findings of the OHU nurse’s examination indicate this is necessary. In conjunction with an appointed doctor the Occupational Health Unit will conduct asbestos medical examinations on operational staff according to HSE guidance so as to meet the Service’s duties under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 Employees will be given a copy of all examinations undertaken together with any advice that is necessary to maintain or improve the fire fighter’s fitness. The OHU will provide a summary medical report for the Human Resources Department (within the confines of medical confidentiality). If required the OHU will conduct an exit medical on operational staff before they leave the Service. The Health and Wellbeing subgroup of the Service Health Safety and Wellbeing Committee (SHSWC) will be present an analysis of the results of medical testing and referrals to OHU at each SHSWC meeting.

Body Mass Index and Hip to Waist Ratio All operational employees are required to maintain a minimum level of fitness a key element of this is to manage their body weight to ensure they remain capable of meeting the demands of their role. When providing fitness advice the Fitness Advisor may use Body Mass Index (BMI) and Hip to Waist Ratio (HWR) as an indicator of the amount a body fat an individual is carrying. The BMI is a way of seeing if an individual’s weight is appropriate for their height. The actual calculation is the weight (in kilograms) divided by the height (in metres) squared A BMI of between 25 and 29 is considered to be overweight, one greater than 30 would indicate class 1 obesity and the individual may need to be referred to OHU, an individual with a BMI of greater than 40 may be unfit for operational duties. BMI can be divided into several categories and generally the higher your BMI, the greater your risk of a large range of medical problems. Inaccuracies can also occur if you are an athlete, or very muscular, as this can give you a higher BMI score even if you have a healthy level of body fat. This is why the Service may also use the Hip-to-Waist Ratio.


The HWR is used as a measurement of obesity, which in turn is a possible indicator of other more serious health conditions it should be less than 0.9 in male fire fighters and less that 0.8 in female fire fighters. When the Fitness Advisor has concerns arising from these measurements the line manager will be advised of the need for an OHU referral. Equipment for fitness training The Service recognises that it needs to support operational fire fighters in maintaining their fitness standard; however the benefits of regular fitness training extend to all staff and the equipment provided may be used by any member of staff. Employees using the Service provided fitness equipment should use the PARQ/Health Questionnaire, self assessment, included in this policy before commencing training to ensure that they are not putting their health at risk. The Service has agreed that although there will be no dedicated time set aside for fitness training that Watch Managers may permit fitness training on watch, providing station routines and operational requirements allow. Every station will be provided with a treadmill of the type that is used for the CTT; this will allow fire fighters to train on the equipment that will be used for the test; this will also support the Fitness Advisor conducting fitness testing on station. Some tests will still need to be undertaken at HQ using the treadmills at Winsford Fire Station. In addition other equipment may be beneficial for maintaining both aerobic fitness and stamina; appropriate equipment includes

Suspension Trainer Dumbbells (up to a maximum of 25kgs) Slamballs (up to a maximum of 10kgs) Powerbags (up to a maximum of 25kgs) Battle Ropes Wall-Mounted Pull-Up Frame

Multi Gym Rowing Machine Exercise Bike Kettlebells (up to a maximum of 25kgs)

Abdominal Wheel Balance Dome Exercise Bench Gym mats Step Box Foam Roller Heart rate monitor Stopwatch

It is not necessary for each station to have all of this equipment, only that which is appropriate to the station’s needs.


Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire Do you currently have any of the following? (please circle the relevant answer) o Chest pain or chest tightness at rest or with physical activity? Yes No o Episodes of dizziness or loss of consciousness? Yes No

o Periods of un-explained shortness of breath/breathlessness? Yes No

o Bone, joint or muscle condition, which may be made worse by a change in your

physical activity? Yes No o Newly diagnosed (past 4 weeks) high blood pressure, or new medication for

existing high blood pressure in the past 4 weeks Yes No o Are you currently taking any medication which may have as adverse affect on

your physical training? Yes No o Do you know of any other reason(s) why you should not do physical activity?

Yes No I have answered the above questions accurately to the best of my knowledge. I accept responsibility for any harm resulting from my failing to declare any relevant medical/fitness information. In signing this form you are confirming that there are no reasons to exclude you from participating in the Service fitness test. Print name: Sign name: Date:


Borg’s Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) Scale

Exertion RPE

No exertion at all 6

Extremely light 7

8

Very light 9

10

Light 11

12

Somewhat hard 13

14

Hard (heavy) 15

16

Very hard 17

18

Extremely hard 19

Maximal exertion 20

health safety and wellbeing fitness policy

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