A review of fatal accident incidence rate trends in fishing

Abstract

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.

Occupational injuries and diseases among commercial fishers in Finland 1996–2015

“…They stated that small vessels have a highest risk. The fatality rate of 1.06 per 1000 person-work-years calculated in this study, as well as the main causes (vessel disasters and drowning) are well in accordance with the findings of Jensen et al [21].…”

“…A comparison of injury rates between different occupations and countries is difficult due to different data reporting procedures and principles. Vessel size and type are a common classifier in reports dealing with injuries among fishers [2,7,21]. In Finland, more than ninety per cent of the boats used in coastal and offshore fishing are shorter than 12 m. While less than half of the fishing related injuries happened on board or while entering/exiting the boat, it would still be beneficial for further investigations to record the vessel length and type along with other details of the incident.…”

“…Jensen et al [21] compared fatal injury trends in 8 northern areas/countries and also found mainly decreasing trends of the fatal injury incidence rates from 1980 to 2010. They stated that small vessels have a highest risk.…”

A review of fatigue in fishermen: a complicated and underprioritised area of research

“…Progress has also been made [1], Annbjørg S. á Høvdanum et al, A review of fatigue in fishermen: a complicated and underprioritised area of research with large reduction in accident rates, presumably as a results of safety training and safety equipment [17]. However, despite reductions in accidents, we are still far from understanding and addressing the fatigue part of the problem sufficiently.…”

“…Although the rate of fatal incidents has decreased by around 50% in the time period 1980-2010 [17] the fatal injuries at sea more remain far frequent than ashore, with the incidence rate being 25 to 50 and up to 120 times higher (United Kingdom) [17].…”