Injury and Illness Among Onshore Workers in Alaska’s Seafood Processing Industry: Analysis of Workers’ Compensation Claims, 2014–2015

Details

• Personal Author:
  Bovbjerg VE ; Kincl LD ; Lucas DL ; Syron LN
• Description:
  Background: Alaska's onshore seafood processing industry is economically vital and hazardous. Methods: Accepted Alaska workers' compensation claims data from 2014 to 2015 were manually reviewed and coded with the Occupational Injury and Illness Classification System and associated work activity. Workforce data were utilized to calculate rates. Results: 2,889 claims of nonfatal injuries/illnesses were accepted for compensation. The average annual claim rate was 63 per 1000 workers. This was significantly higher than Alaska's all-industry rate of 44 claims per 1000 workers (RR = 1.42, 95%CI = 1.37-1.48). The most frequently occurring injuries/illnesses, were by nature, sprains/strains/tears (993, 36%); by body part, upper limbs (1212, 43%); and by event, contact with objects/equipment (1020, 37%) and overexertion/bodily reaction (933, 34%). Incidents associated with seafood processing/canning/freezing (n = 818) frequently involved: repetitive motion; overexertion while handling pans, fish, and buckets; and contact with fish, pans, and machinery. Conclusions: Ergonomic and safety solutions should be implemented to prevent musculoskeletal injuries/illnesses. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Ergonomics Food-Processing Industry Hunting Musculoskeletal System Occupational Health Safety
• Keywords:
  Author Keywords: Fish Processing Fishing Industry Food Manufacturing Food Processing Overexertion Repetitive Work Traumatic Injuries Upper Extremities Worker Safety Worker Safety And Health Workers Compensation

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• ISSN:
  0271-3586
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Cooperative Agreement
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Alaska ; Oregon ; OSHA Region 10 ; Washington
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  WSD - Western States Division
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  253-264
• Volume:
  62
• Issue:
  3
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20054532
• Citation:
  Am J Ind Med 2019 Mar; 62(3):253-264
• Contact Point Address:
  Laura N. Syron, PhD, MPH, Western States Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4230 University Drive Suite 310, Anchorage, AK 99508
• Email:
  lsyron@cdc.gov
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2019
• NORA Priority Area:
  Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing
• Performing Organization:
  University of Washington
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20010930
• Source Full Name:
  American Journal of Industrial Medicine
• End Date:
  20270929
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:df79399b41f7e65c5ea5e0c6839ffce202a45c51fb2970efbb041c4f234bfa79809e9adfa97ec77aa7bab4218c31d37264a5a41afae202ca0a8902dd5ad79d7e
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/217063/cdc_217063_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 435.10 KB ]