Occupational traumatic injuries among offshore seafood processors in Alaska, 2010–2015

• Published in: Journal of safety research Vol. 66; pp. 169 - 178
• Main Authors: Syron, Laura N., Lucas, Devin L., Bovbjerg, Viktor E., Case, Samantha, Kincl, Laurel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Ltd 01.09.2018; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Adult; Alaska - epidemiology; Back injuries; Classification; Coastal environments; Coastguard vessels; Demographics; Demography; Extremities; Federal agencies; Female; Fish processing; Fish production; Food Handling - statistics & numerical data; Food manufacturing; Fractures; Hazard identification; Health risks; Humans; Identification methods; Incidence; Injuries; Injury prevention; Machinery and equipment; Maintenance; Male; Manufacturing; Microprocessors; Middle Aged; Occupational accidents; Occupational health; Occupational Health - statistics & numerical data; Occupational Injuries - epidemiology; Occupational Injuries - etiology; Occupational safety; Offshore; Prevalence; Processing industry; Processors; Safety management; Seafood; Studies; Worker safety; Workers; Young Adult; Alaska; Fish processing; Worker safety; Food manufacturing
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jsr.2018.07.008
• ISSN: 0022-4375; 1879-1247

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. 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. 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%). 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. 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.