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NIOSH Publication No. 2005-137:Dangers of Entanglement During Lobstering |
August 2005 |
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SummaryLobster fishing is a hazardous occupation that has resulted in drownings from entanglement in trap line and being pulled overboard. A survey of 103 lobstermen developed recommended work practices and controls to (1) reduce entanglement, (2) escape entanglement, and (3) provide opportunities to reboard the vessel. Description of ExposureCommercial fishing has long been recognized as a hazardous occupation. The gear used in fishing, fatigue, and environmental conditions all contribute to the high number of fatalities in the industry. From 1993 to 1997, the occupational fatality rate for lobstermen in Maine was 14 per 100,000 licensed lobstermen, more than 2.5 times the national average (4.8 per 100,000 workers) for all industries. In 1988, Congress enacted the Commercial Fishing Industry Vessel Safety Act. This Act requires fishing vessels to carry safety equipment and certain crew members to have training in first aid and conducting emergency drills on fishing vessels. However, these regulations did not address deck safety. Lobsters are caught in traps that are placed on the sea bottom and connected to a surface buoy by the trap line. One trap line can hold more than one trap. Lobstermen periodically haul traps back into the vessel, remove the lobsters, and clean and rebait the traps. Between 1993 and 1999, seven lobstermen drowned after falling overboard [U.S. Coast Guard]. USCG investigative reports indicate that lobstermen often become entangled in loose line on deck, are pulled overboard by the traps, and drown when they cannot free themselves from the line or are unable to reboard the vessel. For example, one man who was fishing alone was pulled into the water when the trap line wrapped around his wrist. He cut the line but could not reboard his fishing vessel. He was rescued 45 minutes later by another lobsterman who saw his vessel circling aimlessly. Another man became entangled but was able to hail a passing vessel while lying prone on the deck of his vessel. Harvard/NIOSH SurveyThe Education and Research Center at the Harvard School of Public Health and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recently surveyed lobstermen to:
To obtain information for the survey, an interview guide was developed, and 103 lobstermen were interviewed during 1999–2000. Nearly 73% of those interviewed responded “yes” to the question, “Have you ever been caught in trap line where you lost clothing, were pulled to the stern, or pulled overboard?” Forty-four percent had been entangled within the last 5 years, some more than once. Most lobstermen stated that entanglements occurred mainly when setting or moving gear. This is also the time when the most line is on the deck (Figure 1). ControlsThe survey found several key work practices and engineering controls to prevent entanglement injuries and fatalities:
AcknowledgmentsThe principal contributors to this publication were Ann Backus, Thomas Smith, and Paul Brochu, Education and Research Center, Harvard School of Public Health and Jennifer Lincoln, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. The illustrations by Media Stream, Manchester, NH were used with permission from the Education and Research Center at the Harvard School of Public Health. ReferencesBackus A, Smith T, Brochu P, Lincoln J, Conway G, Bensyl D, Ciampa J [2001]. Understanding and preventing lobsterman entanglement: a preliminary survey. Proceedings of the Marine Safety Council, April–June:50–53. U.S. Coast Guard. Fatality Files, Marine Safety Office, Portland, Maine. For More InformationNIOSH has published many research documents about hazards in the commercial fishing industry. These can be found at www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/fishing/. To receive more information about occupational safety and health topics, contact NIOSH at: NIOSH or visit the NIOSH Web site at www.cdc.gov/niosh For a monthly update on news at NIOSH, subscribe to NIOSH eNews by visiting www.cdc.gov/niosh/eNews
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