Citation

Torner M, Karlsson R, Saethre H, Kadefors R. Safety Sci. 1995; 21(2): 93-111.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1995, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Occupational accidents present a large problem in fishery. The purpose of the present study was to analyse causes and effects of severe accidents in Swedish fishery during 1986 and 1988-1990, respectively. This information was to serve as a basis for preventive measures at a later stage. Hauling of the trawl stands out as the most accident prone activity followed by shooting of the trawl and repair work/work by the wharf. The most common direct cause of injury was falling. Jamming between part of the ship and the otter boards was also a predominant cause of injury as were pricks and cuts. Getting caught in mechanical equipment, musculo-skeletal over-load, or getting caught in the trawl and pulled up on the trawl drum were other important hazards. Hands and wrists were the most exposed body parts followed by shanks or knees and lower arms or elbows. A predominant primary cause of accidents was the ship motion. Being engaged in unfamiliar work tasks or high noise levels did not seem to have contributed to the accidents to any significant degree. Safety equipment to avoid the accident was usually lacking and this must be identified as a severe problem.