Impact of Ergonomics on the Reduction of Musculoskeletal Injuries Among Operational Personnel of the Fire Department of the Municipality of Sucúa.

Abstract

Ergonomics has become an essential discipline within occupational safety and health management, especially in high risk professions such as firefighting. This article aims to analyze the impact of applying ergonomic principles on reducing musculoskeletal injuries among operational personnel of the Fire Department of the Canton of Sucúa. A bibliographic review of national and international studies published between 2020 and 2025 was conducted, focusing on the relationship between ergonomics and occupational health in emergency contexts. Results from previous research show that appropriate ergonomic interventions such as equipment redesign, postural education, and task planning can significantly reduce the incidence of musculoskeletal disorders among operational personnel, contributing to improved physical wellbeing and functional performance. Furthermore, several authors indicate that ergonomics applied in emergency environments helps optimize movements, reduce accumulated fatigue, and prevent medium and long term work related disabilities, thereby strengthening operational sustainability (Gomez and Martinez, 2022; International Labour Organization, 2023). The methodology used is based on a comparative analysis of scientific and regulatory sources in order to establish a correlation between applied ergonomics and the reduction of physical risks. It is concluded that implementing ergonomic policies in fire departments not only improves workers health but also increases operational efficiency and service quality. This research seeks to provide a solid theoretical foundation for supporting evidence based decision making, guiding preventive strategies, informing training programs, encouraging institutional commitment, and promoting safer, healthier, and more sustainable working conditions for emergency responders in Ecuadorian public safety organizations nationwide across diverse operational contexts and institutional settings overall.