TRAUMATIC WORK-RELATED FATALITIES IN COMMERCIAL FISHERMEN IN AUSTRALIA

Objectives-To describe the types and circumstances of traumatic work r elated fatalities in Australian commercial fishermen. Methods-Work rel ated traumatic fishing fatalities were studied as part of a larger stu dy of all work related traumatic fatalities in Australia from 1982 to 1984. Data on 47 cases were obtained from inspection of coroners' file s. Results-The incidence of fatality of 143/100 000 person-years was 1 8 times higher than the incidence of fatality for the entire workforce , and considerably higher than that of the mining and agricultural wor kforces. 68% of decedents drowned and 13% died from physical trauma. R ough weather, non-seaworthy vessels, inadequate use of personal flotat ion devices, and inexperience were associated with many of the fatal i ncidents. Discussion-Improved vessel and equipment maintenance, better training of workers, greater use of personal flotation devices, and d evelopment of improved clothing and personal flotation devices are rec ommended.