Vol 57, No 1-4 (2006)
REVIEW ARTICLES
Submitted: 2013-02-18
Published online: 2010-03-26
Can general cardiovascular risk evaluation facilitate the assessment of fitness for work and contribute to the reduction of cardiovascular incidents among seamen and fishermen? Article for discussion
Elżbieta Rosik, Bogdan Jaremin, Kinga Szymańska
IMH 2006;57(1-4):188-197.
Vol 57, No 1-4 (2006)
REVIEW ARTICLES
Submitted: 2013-02-18
Published online: 2010-03-26
Abstract
Apart from accidents and work related injuries caused by external factors,
being the primary cause of death at sea and repatriation of seamen and fishermen from
ship to hospital on shore, acute cardiovascular incidents are the main internal causes of their death, both at sea and on land, as well as of long lasting sick leave and disability
(14).
In the regulations on health requirements for persons working on sea-going ships
and in inland navigation (orders of the Ministry of Health 1993, 1996, 2003, guidelines
(39), EU directives and other national regulations) and in the register of diseases and
conditions disqualifying from such an employment (EU directive, annex to the order of
the Ministry of Health 1993, European Commission (32,33), ILO/WHO guidelines(39),
cardiovascular diseases are only generally mentioned. The minimal scope of
examinations is recommended for seafarers in age up to 50 years, and for older
seafarers, but without the assessment of their occupational risk. This gives rise to
ambiguities in interpretation at the time of issuing their health certificates, and also in
judicature when analyzing cause-and-effect relationship between the occurrence of an
acute cardiovascular incident during the ship’s voyage and conditions of the work at
sea.
Principles, possibilities and benefits are discussed in this paper, which may be
expected from the general assessment of cardiovascular diseases risk at the time of the
health assessment for the work at sea. The risk forecasting, health certification and the
question of choosing primary preventive methods are included in this presentation.
Abstract
Apart from accidents and work related injuries caused by external factors,
being the primary cause of death at sea and repatriation of seamen and fishermen from
ship to hospital on shore, acute cardiovascular incidents are the main internal causes of their death, both at sea and on land, as well as of long lasting sick leave and disability
(14).
In the regulations on health requirements for persons working on sea-going ships
and in inland navigation (orders of the Ministry of Health 1993, 1996, 2003, guidelines
(39), EU directives and other national regulations) and in the register of diseases and
conditions disqualifying from such an employment (EU directive, annex to the order of
the Ministry of Health 1993, European Commission (32,33), ILO/WHO guidelines(39),
cardiovascular diseases are only generally mentioned. The minimal scope of
examinations is recommended for seafarers in age up to 50 years, and for older
seafarers, but without the assessment of their occupational risk. This gives rise to
ambiguities in interpretation at the time of issuing their health certificates, and also in
judicature when analyzing cause-and-effect relationship between the occurrence of an
acute cardiovascular incident during the ship’s voyage and conditions of the work at
sea.
Principles, possibilities and benefits are discussed in this paper, which may be
expected from the general assessment of cardiovascular diseases risk at the time of the
health assessment for the work at sea. The risk forecasting, health certification and the
question of choosing primary preventive methods are included in this presentation.
Title
Can general cardiovascular risk evaluation facilitate the assessment of fitness for work and contribute to the reduction of cardiovascular incidents among seamen and fishermen? Article for discussion
Journal
International Maritime Health
Issue
Vol 57, No 1-4 (2006)
Pages
188-197
Published online
2010-03-26
Page views
739
Article views/downloads
1257
Bibliographic record
IMH 2006;57(1-4):188-197.
Authors
Elżbieta Rosik
Bogdan Jaremin
Kinga Szymańska