A review of fatal accident incidence rate trends in fishing

• Published in: International Maritime Health
• Main Authors: Jensen, Olaf, Pétursdóttir, G, Abrahamsen, Annbjørg, Lincoln , Jennifer
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 2014
• Subjects: fishing; Accident Prevention; Epidemiologi; Fatal Outcome; Incidence; Occupational accidents; incidence rates; trends; intervention; Canada; Norway; Iceland; Alaska
• Online Access: https://portal.findresearcher.sdu.dk/da/publications/f942d701-23fc-46d7-b0dc-ed0287620933; https://doi.org/10.5603/imh.2014.0011; https://findresearcher.sdu.dk/ws/files/101467049/2014_A_review_of_fatal_accident_incidence_rate_trends.pdf

Background. Injury prevention in fishing is one of the most important occupational health challenges. 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. Methods. The review is based on journal articles and reports from the maritime authorities in Poland, UK, Norway, Iceland, Denmark, US and Alaska and Canada. The original incidence rates were recalculated as per 1000 person-years for international comparison. 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 1000 person-years. Norway and Canada keep the lowest rates with around 0.5 and 0.25 per 1000 person-years. About half of the fatal injuries are related to vessel disasters and drowning. The safety programs seem to have good effects still the risk is about 25 to 50 times higher than for onshore workers. Conclusions. The rates of the fatal injuries decreased by around fifty percent 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. 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 ...