Injury and illness among onshore workers in Alaska's seafood processing industry: Analysis of workers’ compensation claims, 2014‐2015

Abstract

Background Alaska's onshore seafood processing industry is economically vital and hazardous. Methods Accepted Alaska workers’ compensation claims data from 2014 to 2015 were manually reviewed and coded with the Occupational Injury and Illness Classification System and associated work activity. Workforce data were utilized to calculate rates. Results 2,889 claims of nonfatal injuries/illnesses were accepted for compensation. The average annual claim rate was 63 per 1000 workers. This was significantly higher than Alaska's all‐industry rate of 44 claims per 1000 workers (RR = 1.42, 95%CI = 1.37‐1.48). The most frequently occurring injuries/illnesses, were by nature, sprains/strains/tears (n = 993, 36%); by body part, upper limbs (1212, 43%); and by event, contact with objects/equipment (1020, 37%) and overexertion/bodily reaction (933, 34%). Incidents associated with seafood processing/canning/freezing (n = 818) frequently involved: repetitive motion; overexertion while handling pans, fish, and buckets; and contact with fish, pans, and machinery. Conclusions Ergonomic and safety solutions should be implemented to prevent musculoskeletal injuries/illnesses in seafood processing.

Workers′ compensation reported injuries among distillery industry workers, 2010–2019

“…Many studies have used workers′ compensation FROI in the context of injury cause and monetary impact 18–20 . However, no known study has used worker′s compensation FROI data to assess occupational injury in the distillery industry.…”

“…To our knowledge, there are no previous reports of work‐related injury among distillery workers in the literature. However, other studies have sought to examine the frequency of injury, cost of injury, lost time, task performed before injury, and percent of disability through the use of workers′ compensation data 16–20 . Such studies were conducted to identify factors associated with occupational injuries, determine the subsequent monetary and physical consequences, and put forth recommendations for prevention.…”

“…However, other studies have sought to examine the frequency of injury, cost of injury, lost time, task performed before injury, and percent of disability through the use of workers′ compensation data. [16][17][18][19][20] The variables job tenure, season of injury, month of injury, day of week injury occurred, and year of injury were created using the hire date, injury date, and last work date variables. The county of injury variable was excluded to protect worker confidentiality.…”

Prevalence of Adverse Health Behaviors and Conditions Among Maritime Workers, BRFSS 2014 to 2018, 38 States

“…These industries and occupations include commercial fishing, seafood processing, aquaculture, marine transportation, marine terminals and port operations, and commercial diving. Working in these maritime industries has been associated with an increased risk of non-fatal and fatal injuries 1–3 . Maritime workers face many occupational hazards and exposures.…”

Nutritional Value and Associated Potentials Risks of Seafood Consumption

“…Humans can be exposed to microplastics through the consumption of seafood, can cause histopathological changes, may affect growth, the reproduction system, and behavior [45]. Ergonomic and safety solutions should be implemented to prevent musculoskeletal injuries/illnesses in seafood processing [46]. In the UK, pregnant women are recommended to consume no more than two 140 g portions of fatty fish per week [47].…”