Each year from 2010 to 2014, more than 22,000 emergency medical services workers suffered injuries on the job that were serious enough to warrant a visit to an emergency room, according to a new NIOSH fact sheet. Most of these work-related injuries occurred during responses to 9-1-1 calls and were related to ergonomics, such as awkward postures and repetitive motions, and to exposures to harmful substances, such as blood and respiratory secretions. Other injuries included slips, trips, and falls; car accidents; and workplace violence.

According to the fact sheet, the lost-workday rate for EMS workers is three times higher than the rate for all workers in private industry.

NIOSH urges employers of emergency services workers to maintain a reporting system to monitor injuries and near misses. The fact sheet is available as a on the NIOSH website.