FISHERMEN BLUES - FACTORS RELATED TO ACCIDENTS AND SAFETY AMONG NEWFOUNDLAND FISHERMEN

The fisheries is one of the most dangerous industries in Canada. Possi ble contributory causes of the high rate of injuries are a fatalistic attitude to accidents and safety, and a high level of anxiety and worr y among fishermen. These characteristics would be expected to lead to less attention to safety procedures and a consequent greater risk of a ccidents. The purpose of this study was to explore fishermen's levels of fatalism and anxiety; to consider the relationship of these factors to the frequency of accidents and extent of safety precautions; and t o explore fishermen's explanations of and suggested solutions to the h igh rate of injuries at sea. The study was conducted among a sample of inshore fishermen who fished in the waters around Newfoundland. Fifty -five fishermen completed a questionnaire that requested basic demogra phic details, information on injuries obtained, safety precautions tak en, perceived locus of control over accidents, anxiety, worries and ex planations for accidents and possible measures to reduce them. Analysi s of their replies revealed that the fishermen reported a high level o f anxiety and that those who reported most anxiety reported more injur ies and fewer safety precautions.