Vol 57, No 1-4 (2006)
TROPICAL MEDICINE
Submitted: 2013-02-18
Published online: 2010-03-26
Example of the dockside accident risk
Gilbert Le bouar, Christine Chauvin
IMH 2006;57(1-4):103-113.
Vol 57, No 1-4 (2006)
TROPICAL MEDICINE
Submitted: 2013-02-18
Published online: 2010-03-26
Abstract
In many maritime countries, the work of sea fishermen is one of the most hazardous
of occupations. The number of accidents is much greater than in other occupations on
land or at sea, and the accidents themselves are often more serious. When considering
the risks and hazards of fishing, one initially thinks of major risks like collisions or
vessels running aground, as well as the work related injuries which are mainly caused
by the fishing equipment (otter boards, ropes) and by the motions of the vessel. These
accidents and, in a more general sense, the dangers met by fishermen at sea have
already been studied. But little research has been undertaken on the problem of
accidents of fishermen while the vessel is in port; and in France, these accidents account
for about 30 % of all registered injuries for the sea fishing industry. The presented report takes a look at this category of accidents, on the basis of data
on 5074 accidents registered between 1996 and 2005.
An examination of statistics therefore points to certain types of risks and dangerous
situations, but it also leaves a number of questions pending. One of these is the number
of “unknown” causes. Falls, in particular, are usually linked to an outside factor which
is not listed on the form the sailors must fill out. To compensate for the limitations of
the epidemiological analysis, on-site observation seemed to be the best way of
understanding the risks of the activities of fishermen in the port.
Abstract
In many maritime countries, the work of sea fishermen is one of the most hazardous
of occupations. The number of accidents is much greater than in other occupations on
land or at sea, and the accidents themselves are often more serious. When considering
the risks and hazards of fishing, one initially thinks of major risks like collisions or
vessels running aground, as well as the work related injuries which are mainly caused
by the fishing equipment (otter boards, ropes) and by the motions of the vessel. These
accidents and, in a more general sense, the dangers met by fishermen at sea have
already been studied. But little research has been undertaken on the problem of
accidents of fishermen while the vessel is in port; and in France, these accidents account
for about 30 % of all registered injuries for the sea fishing industry. The presented report takes a look at this category of accidents, on the basis of data
on 5074 accidents registered between 1996 and 2005.
An examination of statistics therefore points to certain types of risks and dangerous
situations, but it also leaves a number of questions pending. One of these is the number
of “unknown” causes. Falls, in particular, are usually linked to an outside factor which
is not listed on the form the sailors must fill out. To compensate for the limitations of
the epidemiological analysis, on-site observation seemed to be the best way of
understanding the risks of the activities of fishermen in the port.
Keywords
Occupational accidents; Fisher; Docked vessel; Injury
Keywords
Occupational accidents
Fisher
Docked vessel
Injury
Authors
Gilbert Le bouar
Christine Chauvin
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