ANALYSIS OF SERIOUS OCCUPATIONAL ACCIDENTS IN SWEDISH FISHERY

Occupational accidents present a large problem in fishery. The purpose of the present study was to analyse causes and effects of severe acci dents in Swedish fishery during 1986 and 1988-1990, respectively. This information was to serve as a basis for preventive measures at a late r stage. Hauling of the trawl stands out as the most accident prone ac tivity followed by shooting of the trawl and repair work/work by the w harf, The most common direct cause of injury was falling. Jamming betw een part of the ship and the otter boards was also a predominant cause of injury as were pricks and cuts. Getting caught in mechanical equip ment, musculo-skeletal over-load, or getting caught in the trawl and p ulled up on the trawl drum were other important hazards. Hands and wri sts were the most exposed body parts followed by shanks or knees and l ower arms or elbows. A predominant primary cause of accidents was the ship motion. Being engaged in unfamiliar work tasks or high noise leve ls did not seem to have contributed to the accidents to any significan t degree, Safety equipment to avoid the accident was usually lacking a nd this must be identified as a severe problem.