open access

Vol 65, No 2 (2014)
MARITIME MEDICINE Review articles
Submitted: 2014-06-30
Accepted: 2014-06-30
Published online: 2014-06-30
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A review of fatal accident incidence rate trends in fishing

Olaf C. C. Jensen, Gudrun Petursdottir, Ingunn Marie Holmen, Annbjørg Abrahamsen, Jennifer Lincoln
DOI: 10.5603/IMH.2014.0011
·
IMH 2014;65(2):47-52.

open access

Vol 65, No 2 (2014)
MARITIME MEDICINE Review articles
Submitted: 2014-06-30
Accepted: 2014-06-30
Published online: 2014-06-30

Abstract

Background: Injury prevention in fishing is one of the most important occupational health challenges.

Aim: The aim was to describe and compare internationally the trends of the fatal injury incidence rates and to discuss the impact of the implemented safety programs.

Materials and methods: The review is based on journal articles and reports from the maritime authorities in Poland, United Kingdom, Norway, Iceland, Denmark, United States and Alaska and Canada. The original incidence rates were recalculated as per 1,000 person-years for international comparison of the trends.

Results: The risk of fatal accidents in fishing in the northern countries has been reduced by around 50% to an average of about 1 per 1,000 person-years. Norway and Canada keep the lowest rates with around 0.5 and 0.25 per 1,000 person-years. About half of the fatal injuries are related to vessel disasters and drowning. The safety programs seem to have good effects, but the risk is still about 25 to 50 times higher than for onshore workers.

Conclusions: The overall fatal injury rates in the European and North American studies decreased by around 50% most probably as result of the implemented safety programs. However the high risk in fishing compared to onshore workers calls for continued and intensified safety programs.

Abstract

Background: Injury prevention in fishing is one of the most important occupational health challenges.

Aim: The aim was to describe and compare internationally the trends of the fatal injury incidence rates and to discuss the impact of the implemented safety programs.

Materials and methods: The review is based on journal articles and reports from the maritime authorities in Poland, United Kingdom, Norway, Iceland, Denmark, United States and Alaska and Canada. The original incidence rates were recalculated as per 1,000 person-years for international comparison of the trends.

Results: The risk of fatal accidents in fishing in the northern countries has been reduced by around 50% to an average of about 1 per 1,000 person-years. Norway and Canada keep the lowest rates with around 0.5 and 0.25 per 1,000 person-years. About half of the fatal injuries are related to vessel disasters and drowning. The safety programs seem to have good effects, but the risk is still about 25 to 50 times higher than for onshore workers.

Conclusions: The overall fatal injury rates in the European and North American studies decreased by around 50% most probably as result of the implemented safety programs. However the high risk in fishing compared to onshore workers calls for continued and intensified safety programs.

Get Citation

Keywords

fishing, occupational, fatal, injury, epidemiology, incidence, fatigue

About this article
Title

A review of fatal accident incidence rate trends in fishing

Journal

International Maritime Health

Issue

Vol 65, No 2 (2014)

Pages

47-52

Published online

2014-06-30

Page views

3481

Article views/downloads

3268

DOI

10.5603/IMH.2014.0011

Bibliographic record

IMH 2014;65(2):47-52.

Keywords

fishing
occupational
fatal
injury
epidemiology
incidence
fatigue

Authors

Olaf C. C. Jensen
Gudrun Petursdottir
Ingunn Marie Holmen
Annbjørg Abrahamsen
Jennifer Lincoln

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