Traumatic work related fatalities in commercial fishermen in Australia.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the types and circumstances of traumatic work related fatalities in Australian commercial fishermen.


METHODS
Work related traumatic fishing fatalities were studied as part of a larger study of all work related traumatic fatalities in Australia from 1982 to 1984. Data on 47 cases were obtained from inspection of coroners' files.


RESULTS
The incidence of fatality of 143/100,000 person-years was 18 times higher than the incidence of fatality for the entire workforce, and considerably higher than that of the mining and agricultural workforces. 68% of decedents drowned and 13% died from physical trauma. Rough weather, non-seaworthy vessels, inadequate use of personal flotation devices, and inexperience were associated with many of the fatal incidents.


CONCLUSIONS
Improved vessel and equipment maintenance, better training of workers, greater use of personal flotation devices, and development of improved clothing and personal flotation devices are recommended.
National Institute of Occupational Health and Safety, Worksafe Australia, Sydney, NSW.
T R
TR
Driscoll
G
G
Ansari
J E
JE
Harrison
M S
MS
Frommer
E A
EA
Ruck
D000062:Accidents, Occupational / Q000401:mortality*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D002423:Cause of Death; D004332:Drowning / Q000401:mortality; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009326:Naval Medicine; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000401:mortality*; D016272:Occupational Health; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000401:mortality*