Occupational injury in Swedish fishery: 2. Promoting implementation of safety measures

Abstract

Although fishery is a highly dangerous occupation, as reflected in accident statistics, preventive measures for improving safety on board the vessels are often neglected. The purpose of the present study was to develop, implement and evaluate a program for promoting implementation of safety measures in fishery. The safety program was based on a cost-benefit analysis including the following units: a) analysis of serious accidents in Swedish fishery during 1983--1995, b) cost analysis, specified for different types of accidents, c) inventory of safety measures including costs and accessibility, d) visits to 101 vessels with presentation of data acquired in a--c, followed by a participatory safety inspection of each vessel, and e) a six-month follow-up of the 101 visits and safety inspections. The average yearly rate of serious accident was 12 per 1000 fishermen. Economic consequences of different types of accidents in fishery were considerable for the victim, and under certain circumstances also for the rest of the crew. The safety inspections revealed 1427 safety or ergonomics deficiencies on board the 101 vessels (range 3--22 per vessel). The six-month follow-up showed that 80% crews had attended to one or more of the deficiencies identified at the safety inspections. Fifty-nine of the in all 160 safety measures taken constituted acquiring, or taking up the use of safety glasses or hearing protection. Apart from these, the measures taken were spread over most categories of risk factors. It is concluded that safety promoting methods based upon participation and expert support are cost effective.