Occupational Exposure on Board Fishing Vessels: Risk Assessments of Biomechanical Overload, Noise and Vibrations among Worker on Fishing Vessels in Southern Italy

Abstract

Sea fishing is one of the sectors with the highest risk of illness and work-related accidents. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the exposure of fishing workers to three major risks: biomechanical overload, noise, and whole-body vibrations. We used common methods and measurement tools in the field: observational video analysis, questionnaires, and direct measurement. Noise and vibrations levels were measured aboard five boats belonging to the main fishing communities of Southern Italy. The random sample consisted of 310 workers, of whom 108 agreed to complete a questionnaire to collect data on the perception of occupational risk and self-perception of health conditions. We found that fishermen had a high prevalence of osteoarticular pathologies (42%) and that the biomechanical overload risk is mainly related to handling manual loads. Furthermore, the results indicate that the levels of weekly noise exposure exceed the exposure limit value of 87 decibel A (dBA) for fishing workers, and that the most noisiest area is the engine room. Exposure levels to whole-body vibrations were below <0.5 m/s2. Knowledge on occupational hazards and health effects in the fisheries sector should be used to develop ship technology, raise awareness of the correct use of personal protective equipment, and improve health surveillance of these workers.

Seafarers’ Perception and Attitudes towards Noise Emission on Board Ships

“…The estimated average noise intensity during working hours was at almost 85 dB. This value follows findings obtained by Oldenburg et al [ 11 ] and measured by Mansi et al [ 14 ]. They are, obviously, insufficiently protected as they use noise protection agents only occasionally.…”

“…However, ship noise onboard can endanger seafarers and passengers, while underwater and airborne emitted ship noise can affect port areas and coastal residents, even the fauna on maritime routes [ 10 ]. Based on the research of [ 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ], the principal source of noise on board can be assumed to be the engine room, where the highest levels of intensity can be found. On most ships, noise levels over 100 dB(A) are present, reach the levels of 110 dB(A) in the noisier area and decrease depending on the location on board.…”

Literature Review: Risk Factors Affecting Hearing Loss among Fishermen in Indonesia

“…Age is one of the risk factors in fishermen which is proven to be related to a history of occupational diseases caused by biological changes exacerbated by exposure to hazards from the workplace 23 . This theory is in accordance with the results of research conducted by Tasik, that 68.18% of fishermen with hearing loss are more than 40 years old 11 .…”

Occupational noise exposure and health impacts among fish harvesters: a systematic review

“…The included studies were published from 2008 to 2020, and the majority of those were conducted in the United States (n = 5) [21,23,[33][34][35]. The remaining were from Brazil (n = 4), Denmark (n = 2), Indonesia (n = 2), and one each from India, Italy, Spain, New Zealand [20,22,[24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32]36]. Sample sizes ranged from 13 to 3702 participants [27,30].…”