Abstract
Background Commercial sea fishing is known to be a hazardous occupation, but little quantitative research has been conducted in the UK.
Objective To describe the demography of commercial fishermen accessing NHS accident and emergency (AOE) services and profile the reasons for attendance.
Methods Eight NHS AME departments in North East Scotland participated in the audit. A structured data collection form was completed by the attending nurse or doctor during a 6 month period (March-August). All commercial sea fishermen attending during this time were included whether or not the reason for attendance was work-related.
Results There were 164 cases of which 133 (81%) presented with injuries and 19 (12%) with illnesses (12 unknown). Twenty-seven (16%) cases had required emergency evacuation from commercial vessels. The most frequent category of injury was 'hand', 'wrist' or 'finger' followed by 'head', 'face' and 'throat'.
Conclusion Commercial sea fishing is a dangerous occupation with many injuries requiring NHS ACE treatment. The relatively high level of injuries compared to illness indicates that there are still safety issues to be addressed and current risk assessment requirements need to be reviewed.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 96-98 |
Number of pages | 2 |
Journal | Occupational Medicine |
Volume | 55 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2005 |
Keywords
- accident and emergency
- occupational accidents
- fishing
Cite this
The Use of NHS Accident and Emergency services by commercial sea fishermen in the North East of Scotland. / Matheson, Catriona Isobel; morrison, S.; Murphy, Elizabeth; Ritchie, Lewis Duthie; Bond, Christine Margaret; Lawrie, Thane.
In: Occupational Medicine, Vol. 55, No. 2, 2005, p. 96-98.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - The Use of NHS Accident and Emergency services by commercial sea fishermen in the North East of Scotland
AU - Matheson, Catriona Isobel
AU - morrison, S.
AU - Murphy, Elizabeth
AU - Ritchie, Lewis Duthie
AU - Bond, Christine Margaret
AU - Lawrie, Thane
PY - 2005
Y1 - 2005
N2 - Background Commercial sea fishing is known to be a hazardous occupation, but little quantitative research has been conducted in the UK.Objective To describe the demography of commercial fishermen accessing NHS accident and emergency (AOE) services and profile the reasons for attendance.Methods Eight NHS AME departments in North East Scotland participated in the audit. A structured data collection form was completed by the attending nurse or doctor during a 6 month period (March-August). All commercial sea fishermen attending during this time were included whether or not the reason for attendance was work-related.Results There were 164 cases of which 133 (81%) presented with injuries and 19 (12%) with illnesses (12 unknown). Twenty-seven (16%) cases had required emergency evacuation from commercial vessels. The most frequent category of injury was 'hand', 'wrist' or 'finger' followed by 'head', 'face' and 'throat'.Conclusion Commercial sea fishing is a dangerous occupation with many injuries requiring NHS ACE treatment. The relatively high level of injuries compared to illness indicates that there are still safety issues to be addressed and current risk assessment requirements need to be reviewed.
AB - Background Commercial sea fishing is known to be a hazardous occupation, but little quantitative research has been conducted in the UK.Objective To describe the demography of commercial fishermen accessing NHS accident and emergency (AOE) services and profile the reasons for attendance.Methods Eight NHS AME departments in North East Scotland participated in the audit. A structured data collection form was completed by the attending nurse or doctor during a 6 month period (March-August). All commercial sea fishermen attending during this time were included whether or not the reason for attendance was work-related.Results There were 164 cases of which 133 (81%) presented with injuries and 19 (12%) with illnesses (12 unknown). Twenty-seven (16%) cases had required emergency evacuation from commercial vessels. The most frequent category of injury was 'hand', 'wrist' or 'finger' followed by 'head', 'face' and 'throat'.Conclusion Commercial sea fishing is a dangerous occupation with many injuries requiring NHS ACE treatment. The relatively high level of injuries compared to illness indicates that there are still safety issues to be addressed and current risk assessment requirements need to be reviewed.
KW - accident and emergency
KW - occupational accidents
KW - fishing
U2 - 10.1093/occmed/kqi037
DO - 10.1093/occmed/kqi037
M3 - Article
VL - 55
SP - 96
EP - 98
JO - Occupational Medicine
JF - Occupational Medicine
SN - 0962-7480
IS - 2
ER -