Last data update: May 06, 2024. (Total: 46732 publications since 2009)
Records 1-15 (of 15 Records) |
Query Trace: Bovbjerg V[original query] |
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Relationship of personal, situational, and environmental factors to injury experience in commercial fishing
Kincl L , Syron L , Lucas D , Vaughan A , Bovbjerg V . J Safety Res 2023 87 375-381 Introduction: Commercial fishing work involves a variety of activities and is hazardous. While much is understood to mitigate fatalities in this industry, research must further explore nonfatal injury characteristics, factors related to injury, and potential injury prevention strategies. This paper determines if fishing experience is associated with injury risk and explores common work activities associated with injury. Method: Key informant interviews and a survey of fishermen were conducted to refine work activity codes and collect injury experiences. Independent sample t-tests compared the means of the years fishing by injury incident for all crab fishermen then stratified by position. Descriptive statistics explored the nature of injury in relation to work activity. Results: The level of experience was significantly lower for injured fishermen compared to fishermen who reported no injuries, but when stratified by position at the time of the injury, the association of injury to experience was only significant for owners. This stratified result demonstrates that the work activity, rather than experience, drives the apparent relationship of experience to injury. Being tired (24%) and weather (26%) were indicated as contributing factors at the time of injury. Conclusion: Modifying the work environment to better control hazards would benefit all fishermen, regardless of their experience, age, or position. Further work into effective interventions that fishermen would adopt is needed to reduce injury risk. Any formal or informal training of new fishermen should focus on the most hazardous activities, but more experienced fishermen would also benefit. Additionally, effective training or interventions for fatigue management, and decision support tools for weather- and navigation-related decisions would further reduce risk of at sea injuries. Practical Applications: Injury prevention training, for all fishermen, regardless of their position and years of experience, should cover the most hazardous tasks, fatigue risk management strategies, and weather decisions. |
Commercial fishing fatalities and injuries described by linked vessel incidents
Kincl L , Doza S , Nahorniak J , Case S , Vaughan A , Bovbjerg V . J Agromedicine 2023 28 (4) 1-9 OBJECTIVES: The Risk Information System for Commercial Fishing (RISC Fishing) merged information on fishermen and vessel incident types from various databases. This descriptive study examined linked fisherman injury records (fatal and nonfatal) and vessel incident records in Oregon and Washington from 2000 to 2018 in the RISC Fishing database. The circumstances of incidents and any association with fishermen outcomes were explored to identify injury prevention opportunities. METHODS: The statistical analyses included a descriptive study of incidents related to the injury characteristics and frequency of outcomes by incident type. Further analyses included contingency tables and Pearson Chi-Square tests for selected variables to determine if there were associations between vessel incident outcomes (fatality, nonfatal injury, no injury). RESULTS: A total of 375 reported incidents with 93 cases of fatalities, 239 nonfatal injuries, and over 6,575 fishermen with no injury were described. Of fatalities, 90% were due to drowning, with only 2% of victims reported donning survival equipment. Deckhands experienced fatal and nonfatal injuries most frequently. The most common factors associated with nonfatal injuries included contact with objects (event), walking on vessel and hauling gear (work activities), and fractures and open wounds (nature). The most common final event leading to a vessel disaster with no injury being reported was sinking (76%). Distributions between the incident outcomes (fatality, nonfatal injury, and no injury) differed by vessel activity/type, fishery/gear, and event leading to the incident. CONCLUSION: Linked information of fishermen injury outcomes and vessel incident information showed that events and settings that involve fatalities are qualitatively different from incidents resulting in only nonfatal injuries or uninjured survivors. Vessel-level approaches for mitigating fatalities, such as ensuring vessel stability, improving navigation/operation decisions, and spotlighting survival equipment policies/rescue priorities could have a significant impact. Work task-specific prevention strategies for nonfatal injuries related to the larger vessels (catcher/processors and processors) and smaller vessels (with pot/trap gears) are paramount. The use of linked information provided in reports can provide a fuller incident picture to advance efforts to improve the working conditions of commercial fishermen. |
Utilizing Haddon matrix to assess nonfatal commercial fishing injury factors in Oregon and Washington
Doza S , Bovbjerg V , Case S , Vaughan A , Kincl L . Inj Epidemiol 2023 10 (1) 18 BACKGROUND: Commercial fishing is a precarious industry with high fatal and nonfatal injury rates. The Risk Information System of Commercial [RISC] Fishing project at Oregon State University has been tracking both fatal and nonfatal injuries among Oregon and Washington commercial fishermen. We examined the utility of the RISC dataset variables in highlighting injury factors and prevention opportunities. METHOD: We identified 245 nonfatal commercial fishing injuries in Oregon and Washington (2000-2018) and assessed the top three injury events (contact with objects or equipment, transportation incidents, and slips/trips/falls) using a cross-sectional design. We generated a Haddon matrix for each event type and populated the matrices with injury-associated factors following our a-priori matrix. RESULTS: We observed 108 nonfatal injuries due to contact with objects. Contact injuries occurred during fishing (40%) with fishing gears (40%), often while hauling the fishing gear (22%). Common injury mechanisms included getting caught in running equipment or machinery (19%) or compressed by shifting objects or equipment (18%). Of the 58 transportation injuries most occurred in catchers (93%) and smaller vessels (1 to 3 crew) (55%). Vessel casualties were common as several vessels struck rocks/bottom (29%) or experienced fire and explosion (19%). The crew was abandoned to water (38%), often due to no raft or raft malfunctions (19%). Slip/trip/fall injuries (n = 43) typically happened during onboard traffic (49%). Such events were largely experienced by the catcher-processors (44%) including large vessels with > 100 crew (28%). CONCLUSION: The Haddon matrix demonstrated the injury-event timeline and helped to identify potential injury-associated factors. Our injury-specific risk matrices will let commercial fishing stakeholders determine priorities and work with the experts on prevention efforts. |
Application of data linkage techniques to Pacific Northwest commercial fishing injury and fatality data.
Nahorniak J , Bovbjerg V , Case S , Kincl L . Inj Epidemiol 2021 8 (1) 26 BACKGROUND: Commercial fishing consistently has among the highest workforce injury and fatality rates in the United States. Data related to commercial fishing incidents are routinely collected by multiple organizations which do not currently coordinate or automatically link data. Each data set has the potential to generate a more complete picture to inform prevention efforts. Our objective was to examine the utility of using statistical data linkage methods to link commercial fishing incident data when personally identifiable information is not available. METHODS: In this feasibility study, we identified true matches and discrepancies between de-identified data sets using the Python Record Linkage Toolkit. Four commercial fishing data sets from Oregon and Washington were linked: the Commercial Fishing Incident Database, the Vessel Casualty Database, the Nonfatal Injuries Database, and the Oregon Trauma Registry. The data sets each covered different date ranges within 2000-2017, containing 458, 524, 184, and 11 cases respectively. Several data linkage classifiers were evaluated. RESULTS: The Naïve-Bayes classifier returned the highest number of true matches between these small data sets. A total of 41 true matches and 8 close matches were identified, of which 29 were determined to be duplicates. In addition, linkage highlighted 4 records that were not commercial fishing cases from Oregon and Washington. The optimum match parameters were the date, state, vessel official number, and number of people on board. CONCLUSIONS: Statistical data linkage enables accurate, routine matching for small de-identified injury and fatality data sets such as those in commercial fishing. It provides information needed to improve the accuracy of existing data records. It also enables expanding and sharpening details of individual incidents in support of occupational safety research. |
Health-Related Exposures and Conditions among US Fishermen
Doza S , Bovbjerg VE , Vaughan A , Nahorniak JS , Case S , Kincl LD . J Agromedicine 2021 27 (3) 1-8 Commercial fishing is a high-risk occupation, yet there is a lack of surveillance documenting health conditions, health behaviors, and health care coverage among US fishermen. We used publicly available data sources to identify exposures and health outcomes common among fishermen. We utilized the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health-Worker Health Charts to estimate the prevalence of general exposures, psychosocial exposures, health behaviors, and health conditions from the national surveys National Health Interview Survey - Occupational Health Supplement (NHIS-OHS, 2015) and Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) (2013-2015). We compared fishing workers with both agricultural workers and all-workers. Fishermen commonly reported general exposures, psychosocial exposures, non-standard work arrangements, frequent night shifts, and shift work. The prevalence of musculoskeletal conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome (33%) and severe low-back pain (27%) was also high. Smoking (45%) and second-hand smoke exposure (25%) were widespread, and 21% reported no health care coverage. National household surveys such as NHIS-OHS, and BRFSS can be utilized to describe the health status of fishermen. This workforce would benefit from increased access to health care and health promotion programs. More comprehensive evaluations of existing data can help to identify occupation-specific health challenges. |
Safety and Health Programs in Alaska's Seafood Processing Industry: Interviews with Safety and Health Managers
Syron LN , Bovbjerg VE , Mendez-Luck CA , Kincl LD . J Agromedicine 2019 24 (4) 1-13 Background: The seafood processing industry is critical to Alaska's economy and hazardous to workers; however, limited research has addressed workers' safety and health. Safety and health program management is a decisive factor in preventing fatalities, injuries, and illnesses. We interviewed managers to gain their views on their safety and health programs. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 upper-level managers who oversaw programs for Alaskan worksites. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed. Qualitative content analysis techniques, including inductive coding, were utilized to explore participants' experiences and views regarding: management and workers' roles; hazard control systems; safety and health training; regulatory and economic factors; and programs' challenges and successes. Results: The 14 participants represented 13 companies that operated 32 onshore plants and 30 vessels with processing capabilities. Participants reported managing programs for an estimated 68% of the Alaskan seafood processing industry's workforce. Based on participants' responses, we identified five factors that could be modified to improve safety and health industry-wide: manager training and knowledge sharing; worker training; organizational aspects related to safety culture; application of ergonomic principles; and work hours. Participants reported that fully engaging workers in programs was beneficial. Conclusions: Industry members should more widely share their best practices for protecting workers' safety and health. Occupational safety and health practitioners and researchers should support the development and evaluation of (a) training for non/limited-English-speaking-workers, (b) ergonomic interventions, and (c) fatigue risk management systems. Future research should engage worksite managers and workers to characterize their safety and health experiences and needs. |
Injury and illness among onshore workers in Alaska's seafood processing industry: Analysis of workers' compensation claims, 2014-2015
Syron LN , Lucas DL , Bovbjerg VE , Kincl LD . Am J Ind Med 2019 62 (3) 253-264 BACKGROUND: Alaska's onshore seafood processing industry is economically vital and hazardous. METHODS: Accepted Alaska workers' compensation claims data from 2014 to 2015 were manually reviewed and coded with the Occupational Injury and Illness Classification System and associated work activity. Workforce data were utilized to calculate rates. RESULTS: 2,889 claims of nonfatal injuries/illnesses were accepted for compensation. The average annual claim rate was 63 per 1000 workers. This was significantly higher than Alaska's all-industry rate of 44 claims per 1000 workers (RR = 1.42, 95%CI = 1.37-1.48). The most frequently occurring injuries/illnesses, were by nature, sprains/strains/tears (993, 36%); by body part, upper limbs (1212, 43%); and by event, contact with objects/equipment (1020, 37%) and overexertion/bodily reaction (933, 34%). Incidents associated with seafood processing/canning/freezing (n = 818) frequently involved: repetitive motion; overexertion while handling pans, fish, and buckets; and contact with fish, pans, and machinery. CONCLUSIONS: Ergonomic and safety solutions should be implemented to prevent musculoskeletal injuries/illnesses. |
Occupational traumatic injuries among offshore seafood processors in Alaska, 2010-2015
Syron LN , Lucas DL , Bovbjerg VE , Case S , Kincl L . J Safety Res 2018 66 169-178 INTRODUCTION: The U.S. Coast Guard and Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration have identified the Alaskan offshore seafood processing industry as high-risk. This study used Coast Guard injury reports to describe patterns of traumatic injury among offshore seafood processors, as well as identify modifiable hazards. METHODS: From the reports, we manually reviewed and abstracted information on the incident circumstances, injury characteristics and circumstances, and vessel. Traumatic injury cases were coded using the Occupational Injury and Illness Classification System, and a Work Process Classification System. Descriptive statistics characterized worker demographics, injuries, and fleets. RESULTS: One fatal and 304 nonfatal injuries among processors were reported to the Coast Guard during 2010-2015 across multiple fleets of catcher-processor and mothership vessels. The most frequently occurring injuries were: by nature of injury, sprains/strains/tears (75, 25%), contusions (50, 16%), and fractures (45, 15%); by body part affected, upper extremities (121, 40%), and trunk (75, 25%); by event/exposure resulting in injury, contact with objects and equipment (150, 49%), and overexertion and bodily reaction (76, 25%); and by source of injury, processing equipment and machinery (85, 28%). The work processes most frequently associated with injuries were: processing seafood on the production line (68, 22%); stacking blocks/bags of frozen product (50, 17%); and repairing/maintaining/cleaning factory equipment (28, 9%). CONCLUSIONS: Preventing musculoskeletal injuries, particularly to workers' upper extremities and trunks, is paramount. Some injuries, such as serious back injuries, intracranial injuries, and finger crushing or amputations, had the potential to lead to disability. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Safety professionals and researchers can use the study findings to inform future intervention efforts in this industry. Hazard control measures should target: (a) overexertion from lifting and lowering objects and equipment; (b) equipment and boxes falling and striking workers; (c) workers being caught in running machinery during regular operations; and (d) slips, trips, and falls. |
Athletic Training and Public Health Summit
Hoffman M , Bovbjerg V , Hannigan K , Hootman JM , Johnson ST , Kucera KL , Norcross MF . J Athl Train 2016 51 (7) 576-80 OBJECTIVE: To introduce athletic trainers to the benefits of using a population-based approach to injury and illness prevention and to explore opportunities for partnering with public health professionals on these initiatives. BACKGROUND: Athletic trainers play leading roles in individual injury and illness prevention but are less familiar with policy development, evaluation, and implementation from a population-level standpoint. The Athletic Training and Public Health Summit was convened to understand, explore, and develop the intersection of athletic training and public health. CONCLUSIONS: To further the integration of athletic training within the public health arena, athletic trainers must expand their professional focus beyond the individual to the population level. |
Utility of a work process classification system for characterizing non-fatal injuries in the Alaskan commercial fishing industry
Syron LN , Lucas DL , Bovbjerg VE , Bethel JW , Kincl LD . Int J Circumpolar Health 2016 75 30070 BACKGROUND: The US commercial fishing industry is hazardous, as measured by mortality data. However, research on non-fatal injuries is limited. Non-fatal injuries constitute the majority of occupational injuries and can result in workers' lowered productivity and wages, lost quality of life, and disability. In the United States, a Work Process Classification System (WPCS) has previously been applied in Alaskan freezer-trawl and freezer-longline fleets to identify causes of injuries and specific hazards, but not to other fishing fleets. OBJECTIVES: This descriptive epidemiologic study aimed to explore the application and modification of the WPCS in multiple Alaskan fleets, characterize non-fatal occupational injuries in these fleets, and identify work processes that could be targeted for further investigation and future injury prevention efforts. DESIGN: Traumatic, non-fatal injuries on-board Alaskan commercial fishing vessels were identified through United States Coast Guard investigative reports. Characteristics of injuries, as well as worker characteristics, were analysed. Injuries were coded using the WPCS. RESULTS: We successfully utilized the WPCS to code non-fatal injury cases (n = 136). The most frequent main work processes associated with non-fatal injuries included: on-board trawlers, handling frozen fish and processing the catch; on-board vessels using pot/trap gear, handling the gear and shooting/setting the gear; on-board longliners, traffic on board and hauling the gear; and on-board processor vessels, processing the catch, other work with the catch, and handling frozen fish. CONCLUSIONS: The study confirmed that a WPCS can be applied to multiple Alaskan fleets to identify hazardous tasks. Hazards were unique for each vessel gear type. Future injury prevention efforts should target work processes associated with the most frequent and most severe injuries. Future studies should establish time estimates for work processes in order to determine risk estimates. Efforts to improve non-fatal injury reporting, especially on smaller commercial fishing vessels, should be undertaken. |
Reported traumatic injuries among West Coast Dungeness crab fishermen, 2002-2014
Case S , Bovbjerg V , Lucas D , Syron L , Kincl L . Int Marit Health 2015 66 (4) 207-10 BACKGROUND: Commercial fishing is a high-risk occupation. The West Coast Dungeness crab fishery has a high fatality rate; however, nonfatal injuries have not been previously studied. The purpose of this report was to describe the characteristics of fatal and nonfatal traumatic occupational injuries and associated hazards in this fleet during 2002-2014. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data on fatal injuries were obtained from a surveillance system managed by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Data on nonfatal injuries were manually abstracted from Coast Guard investigation reports and entered into a study database. Descriptive statistics were used to characterise demographics, injury characteristics, and work processes performed. RESULTS: Twenty-eight fatal and 45 nonfatal injuries were reported between 2002 and 2014 in the Dungeness crab fleet. Most fatalities were due to vessel disasters, and many nonfatal injuries occurred on-deck when fishermen were working with gear, particularly when hauling the gear (47%). The most frequently reported injuries affected the upper extremities (48%), and fractures were the most commonly reported injury type (40%). The overall fatality rate during this time period was 209 per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers and the rate of nonfatal injury was 3.4 per 1,000 full-time equivalent workers. CONCLUSIONS: Dungeness crab fishermen are at relatively high risk for fatal injuries. Nonfatal injuries were limited to reported information, which hampers efforts to accurately estimate nonfatal injury risk and understand fishing hazards. Further research is needed to identify work tasks and other hazards that cause nonfatal injuries in this fleet. Engaging fishermen directly may help develop approaches for injury prevention. |
Primary prevention of fishing vessel disasters: evaluation of a United States Coast Guard policy intervention
Lucas DL , Kincl LD , Bovbjerg VE , Branscum AJ , Lincoln JM . Mar Policy 2014 50 67-73 Primary injury prevention strategies are needed to improve worker safety in the fishing industry by reducing the occurrence of vessel disasters. In 2006, the United States Coast Guard (USCG) implemented a novel safety policy intervention for two fleets of freezer-trawlers and freezer-longliners in Alaska. The Alternate Compliance and Safety Agreement (ACSA) set standards for vessel stability, watertight integrity, hull condition, and other critical vessel components. To determine if ACSA has been an effective primary prevention intervention for improving safety in the fishing industry, a longitudinal study was conducted using retrospective data on vessel casualties during 2003-2012. On both types of vessels, reported rates of serious vessel casualties decreased after the vessels reached compliance with ACSA requirements, suggesting that ACSA has had a positive effect on vessel safety in the freezer-trawl and freezer-longline fleets. These results support the premise that primary prevention policies can contribute to worker safety by reducing the occurrence of vessel disasters. Future USCG safety policies should be patterned after ACSA and improved by following the recommendations outlined in this study. |
Work-related traumatic injuries onboard freezer-trawlers and freezer-longliners operating in Alaskan waters during 2001-2012
Lucas DL , Kincl LD , Bovbjerg VE , Lincoln JM , Branscum AJ . Am J Ind Med 2014 57 (7) 826-36 BACKGROUND: Workers onboard freezer-trawl (FT) and freezer-longline (FL) vessels in Alaska may be at high risk for fatal and non-fatal injuries. METHODS: Traumatic occupational injuries onboard vessels in the FT and FL fleets were identified through two government data sources. RESULTS: The annual risk of fatal injuries was 125 per 100,000 FTEs in the FT fleet, and 63 per 100,000 FTEs in the FL fleet. The annual risk of non-fatal injuries was 43 per 1,000 FTEs in the FT fleet and 35 per 1,000 FTEs in the FL fleet. The majority of injuries in the FT fleet occurred in the factories and freezer holds, whereas the most common injuries in the FL fleet occurred on deck while working the fishing gear. CONCLUSIONS: The findings confirmed that workers in those fleets were at high risk for work-related injuries. Injury prevention should focus on removing hazards in the work processes injuring the most workers. |
Application of a translational research model to assess the progress of occupational safety research in the international commercial fishing industry
Lucas DL , Kincl LD , Bovbjerg VE , Lincoln JM . Saf Sci 2014 64 71-81 Translating basic science research into population-level health benefits is a challenge in all areas of public health, including occupational safety in the fishing industry. Translational research is a process for developing evidence-based interventions and implementing them in practice. The purpose of this study was to organize the literature on occupational safety in the fishing industry within the T0-T4 phases of translational research to identify areas of strength and consensus, as well as gaps for future translational research to address. A comprehensive search of the English language literature on the topic of occupational safety in the fishing industry was completed. Scientific investigations of safety problems in the fishing industry first appeared in the literature during the 1950s. The bulk of research has focused on descriptive epidemiology in the T0 phase of translational research. A positive trend in recent studies is the growing emphasis on translational research (i.e. the T1-T4 phases). These types of studies aim to move research-to-practice by investigating potential solutions to safety problems and by developing, implementing and evaluating interventions. Recommendations for future translational research include using consistent methods of injury classification and risk analysis, developing interventions targeted at specific problems in the highest-risk fisheries, and addressing the barriers and facilitators to widespread implementation of interventions. Workplace safety in the fishing industry will improve if future research concentrates on identifying and testing promising safety measures that are effective, practical and scalable. Translational research is the key to making progress toward the prevention of work-related injuries in the fishing industry. 2013. |
Predictors of personal flotation device (PFD) use among workers in the Alaska commercial fishing industry
Lucas DL , Lincoln JM , Carozza SE , Bovbjerg VE , Kincl LD , Teske TD , Somervell PD , Anderson PJ . Saf Sci 2013 53 177-185 INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to identify the predictors of personal flotation device (PFD) use among workers in the Alaska commercial fishing industry. METHODS: This study analyzed data from a questionnaire administered to fishing industry workers on four types of commercial fishing vessels in Alaska. Workers' risk perceptions of falling overboard, attitudes regarding PFDs, and other factors were compared using Chi-square tests. A forward stepwise procedure was used to fit multivariate logistic regression models predicting PFD use. RESULTS: PFD usage ranged from 0% reporting always using a PFD among longliners to 51% among trawlers. Among the statistically significant predictors of PFD use identified in multivariate models, the belief that PFDs were an entanglement hazard was inversely associated with any use of PFDs among longliners (OR 0.38; 95% CI: 0.20, 0.73) and gillnetters (OR 0.38; 95% CI: 0.19, 0.76). The belief that PFDs interfered with work was inversely associated with high use of PFDs among crabbers (OR 0.16; 95% CI: 0.06, 0.45) and with always using PFDs among trawlers (OR 0.35; 95% CI: 0.16, 0.78). Other significant predictors were specific to each vessel type. CONCLUSIONS: Interventions to increase PFD use in the fishing industry should be tailored to each vessel type and focus on addressing the significant barriers to PFD use. Workers may increase PFD usage if they are familiarized with newer PFDs that have been tested and accepted by their peers. |
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