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Workplace Injuries Caused by Commercial Fishing Winches-Alaska, 2000-2020
Tristan M Victoroff1, Samantha L Case1, Lakshmi D Robertson1,2
1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Western States Division, Spokane, Washington, USA.
Journal of Agromedicine
|January 25, 2023
Summary
Commercial fishing winch injuries in Alaska primarily affect young males, often involving entanglement with anchor winches. Targeted prevention efforts and engineering solutions are crucial for reducing these severe injuries.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Marine Safety
- Injury Prevention
Background:
- Deck machinery, particularly winches, is a significant cause of hospitalized injuries among commercial fishing workers in Alaska.
- Detailed data on the circumstances surrounding winch-related injuries are needed to develop effective prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze injury patterns associated with commercial fishing winches in Alaska.
- To identify specific circumstances and types of winches leading to traumatic injuries.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of injury claims submitted to the Alaska Fisherman's Fund (AFF) between January 1, 2000, and November 1, 2020.
- Identification of injury types, affected body parts, fisheries, gear types, and specific winch types involved.
Main Results:
- 125 traumatic winch injuries were identified, predominantly affecting young males (54% aged ≤30 years, 94% male) in salmon fisheries (80%).
- Most injuries (67%) involved body parts caught in or compressed by winches/cables, frequently affecting upper extremities (fingers, hands/wrists).
- Common injuries included fractures (23%), amputations (18%), lacerations (16%), and contusions (16%), with anchor winches causing over half of all injuries (51%).
Conclusions:
- Anchor winches require focused attention due to their high contribution to injuries.
- Engineering solutions (e.g., emergency stops) and administrative controls (e.g., task-specific training) are recommended to mitigate entanglement and struck-by hazards.
- Emphasis on training for younger or less experienced crew is vital for preventing disabling injuries from fishing winches.
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