Abstract
PurposeTo get knowledge of the work environment for seafarers sailing under the Swedish flag, in terms of safety climate, ergonomical, chemical and psychosocial exposures, and the seafarers self-rated health and work ability.MethodsA Web-based questionnaire was sent to all seafarers with a personal e-mail address in the Swedish Maritime Registry (N = 5608). Comparisons were made mainly within the study population, using Student’s t test, prevalence odds ratios and logistic regressions with 95% confidence intervals.ResultsThe response rate was 35% (N = 1972; 10% women, 90% men), with 61% of the respondents working on deck, 31% in the engine room and 7% in the catering/service department (1% not classifiable). Strain on neck, arm or back and heavy lifting were associated with female gender (p = 0.0001) and younger age (below or above 30 years of age, p < 0.0001). Exposures to exhausts, oils and dust were commonly reported. Major work problems were noise, risk of an accident and vibrations from the hull of the ship. The safety climate was high in comparison with that in land-based occupations. One-fourth had experienced personal harassment or bullying during last year of service.ConclusionsNoise, risk of accidents, hand/arm and whole-body vibrations and psychosocial factors such as harassment were commonly reported work environment problems among seafarers within the Swedish merchant fleet.
Highlights
Several studies have shown higher mortality and morbidity ratios in seafarers when compared to land-based occupations
Cancer is more common in seafarers, with especially lung cancer and mesothelioma being more common in engine room crew and lymphohematopoietic cancers in tanker crews
Work exposures that might be relevant for cancer development are exposures to asbestos, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and nitroarenes, soot and oils, especially for engine room crew members, benzene, for deck crew members on board tankers, and diesel engine exhausts, for example when working on deck during loading and unloading of vehicles (Attfield et al 2012; Boffetta et al 2001; Bruske-Hohlfeld et al 1999; Jarvholm and Silverman 2003; Nilsson et al 2004)
Summary
Several studies have shown higher mortality and morbidity ratios in seafarers when compared to land-based occupations. Cancer is more common in seafarers, with especially lung cancer and mesothelioma being more common in engine room crew and lymphohematopoietic cancers in tanker crews (Bianchi et al 2005; Kaerlev et al 2005; Moen et al 1990, 1994; Nilsson 1998; Nilsson et al 1998; Peto et al 1999; Pukkala et al 2009; Int Arch Occup Environ Health (2017) 90:161–168. Ischemic heart disease and psychiatric diagnoses, including suicides, have been reported to be more common among seafarers (Bloor 2000; Brandt et al 1994; Elo 1985; Hemmingsson et al 1997; Jensen 1996; Moen et al 1994; Nilsson 1998; Nilsson et al 1998; Pukkala et al 2009; Pukkala and Saarni 1996; Rafnsson and Gunnarsdottir 1994, 1995; Rafnsson and Sulem 2003; Saarni et al 2002). There is a very limited amount of scientific studies on exposures related to morbidity among seafarers
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