George A. Conway

Preventing commercial fishing deaths in Alaska

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of the United States Commercial Fishing Industry Vessel Safety Act of 1988 in reducing the high occupational death rate (200/100,000/year in 1991-2) among Alaskas commercial fishermen. METHODS: Comprehensive surveillance of deaths in commercial fishing was established by our office during 1991 and 1992 for Alaska. Demographic data and data on risk factors and incidents were compiled and analysed for trend. RESULTS: During 1991-8, there was a significant (p < 0.001) decrease in deaths in Alaska related to commercial fishing. Although drownings from fishermen falling overboard and events related to crab fishing vessels (often conducted far offshore and in winter) have continued to occur, marked progress (significant downward trend, p < 0.001) has been made in saving the lives of people involved in vessels capsizing and sinking. CONCLUSIONS: Specific measures tailored to prevent drowning associated with vessels capsizing and sinking in Alaskas commercial fishing industry have been successful. However, these events continue to occur, and place fishermen and rescue personnel at substantial risk. Additional strategies must be identified to reduce the frequency of vessels capsizing and sinking, to enable parallel improvements in the mortality among crab fishermen, and to prevent fishermen falling overboard and drownings associated with them.

CHARACTERISTICS OF MOOSE-VEHICLE COLLISIONS IN ANCHORAGE, ALASKA, 1991-1995

Moose have successfully adapted to Anchorages urban environment, using greenbelt areas for shelter, forage, and protection from nearby predator populations. However, the proximity of moose to people poses unique hazards: a motor vehicle colliding a moose may cause significant injury and vehicle damage. The annual Moose Vehicle Collision (MVC) rate increased during the study period from 40 to 52 MVCs per 100,000 registered vehicles in Anchorage, a significant (X2 = 7.8, p n = 375, [72%]) than during daylight hours. An MVC on a dry road was twice (95% CI: 1.29, 3.08) as likely to have resulted in an injury as an incident on a slick road. MVCs may be prevented by: reducing speed limits around greenbelt areas, brighter vehicle headlights, placement of street lights in known moose areas, underpasses for wildlife at known crossings, and snow removal to reduce berm height in areas of high moose concentrations. Language: en

Surveillance for nonfatal work-related injuries in Alaska, 1991-1995

Historically, Alaska has had an occupational fatality rate five times greater than that for the United States. This article reports recent surveillance results for hospitalized nonfatal work-related injuries in Alaska, using the population-based Alaska Trauma Registry (ATR) from 1991 through 1995. The fishing, construction, and logging industries led with the highest number of reported cases in the ATR. Workers in the logging, water transportation, and wood product manufacturing industries had the highest injury rates. Cause, severity, type, and body region of injury were examined for each target industry. For industries with the highest numbers and rates of injuries, in most cases, falls were identified as a common cause of injuries. A fractured bone was the most common type of injury, and the extremities were the most common body region affected. The ATR has proved to be a reliable tool for work-related injury surveillance and will be helpful in planning research priorities and targeting injury prevention efforts.

Epidemiology and Prevention of Helicopter External Load Accidents

Abstract From 1980 through 1995, there were 230 helicopter external load accidents resulting in 57 fatalities and 74 serious nonfatal injuries in the United States investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Helicopter external load operations, such as helicopter logging, place unique demands on the aircraft helicopters and the pilots who fly them. A descriptive analysis of NTSB “accident briefs” indicates that mechanical failure, pilot error, and maintenance errors were cited as the most common probable causes of the accidents. Recent experience in Alaska has shown that by adhering to existing regulations and manufacturer recommendations, and by implementing improved training and frequent maintenance, helicopter external load operations are safer with fewer accidents, crashes, and injuries. Published by the National Safety Council and Elsevier Science Ltd

Unique Occupational Hazards of Alaska: Animal-Related Injuries

Abstract Objective.—During 1992–2000, an average of 40 fatal occupational injuries and 12 400 nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses related to animals were recorded each year in the United States, most involving domestic farm animals. Although Alaska has a relatively small farming industry, it supports several industries that require workers to regularly be in contact with animals. This study examines the pattern and characteristics of animal-related occupational injuries in Alaska. Methods.—Two data sources were accessed: the Alaska Trauma Registry for nonfatal injuries requiring hospitalization and the Alaska Occupational Injury Surveillance System for fatal injuries. The case definition included events in which the source of the injury was an animal or animal product (Occupational Injury and Illness Classification Manual source code 51). Results.—In Alaska during 1991–2000, there were 43 animal-related occupational injuries requiring hospitalization and 25 animal-related fatalities. There were only 2 fatal events: 1 bird-strike aircraft accident killing 24 military personnel and 1 bear attack. The majority of the nonfatal injury events were related to marine wildlife (n = 20), with the rest related to either domesticated (n = 11) or nondomesticated (n = 12) mammals. Of events reporting a hospital charge (23 of 43), the average cost was over

Occupational fatalities in Alaska: two decades of progress, 1990-1999 and 2000-2009.

9700 per person. Conclusions.—The catastrophic aircraft crash increased bird-control efforts near airports around the state. The nonfatal animal-related injuries have received less notice, although they result in thousands of dollars in hospital costs and lost workdays. Fishing-industry workers in particular should be made aware of potential injuries and educated on how to treat them when away from definitive medical care.

Renewable energy and occupational health and safety research directions: A white paper from the Energy Summit, Denver Colorado, April 11–13, 2011

INTRODUCTION Alaska had the highest work-related fatality rate of any state during 1980-1989. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health established the Alaska Field Station (AFS) to address this problem. METHODS AFS established surveillance systems to provide scientific assessments of occupational hazards. Interventions were developed in collaboration with partners and evaluated. RESULTS During 2000-2009, Alaska experienced a 42.5% decline in work-related fatalities over the previous decade of 1990-1999. In 2009, the workplace fatality rate for Alaska was 5.6/100,000 workers. Commercial pilot deaths were reduced by 50% and Bering Sea crab fishing death rates were reduced by 60%. Building on this success, AFS established national programs to improve safety in the commercial fishing and oil and gas extraction industries. IMPACT ON INDUSTRY A focused, epidemiological approach to reducing fatalities in high-risk occupations is effective. Ongoing commitment to this type of approach will assist in continued success in Alaska and elsewhere.

The role of hypothermia and drowning in commercial fishing deaths in Alaska, 1990-2002

Renewable energy production may offer advantages to human health by way of less pollution and fewer climate-change associated ill-health effects. Limited data suggests that renewable energy will also offer benefits to workers in the form of reduced occupational injury, illness and deaths. However, studies of worker safety and health in the industry are limited. The Mountain and Plains Education and Research Center (MAP ERC) Energy Summit held in April 2011 explored issues concerning worker health and safety in the renewable energy industry. The limited information on hazards of working in the renewable energy industry emphasizes the need for further research. Two basic approaches to guiding both prevention and future research should include: (1) applying lessons learned from other fields of occupational safety and health, particularly the extractive energy industry; and (2) utilizing knowledge of occupational hazards of specific materials and processes used in the renewable energy industry.

A multifaceted public health approach to statewide aviation safety

Objectives. To describe the patterns associated with cold-water immersion and drowning in commercial fishermen in Alaska from 1990 through 2002. Study Design. This is a retrospective study using data from the Alaska Occupational Surveillance System (AOISS), a database with records from all occupational mortalities occurring in Alaska from 1990 on. Methods. We extracted and analyzed all records describing deaths from drowning or hypothermia to commercial fishermen in Alaska from 1990 through 2002 that were registered within AOISS. We also used a subset of records from AOISS to compare use of Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) between the target population and survivors of fatal events. Results. There were 228 deaths resulting from cold-water immersion and subsequent drowning in the target population for the time period studied. Victims were far less likely to have used PFDs than were survivors of events where cold-water drowning occurred. Conclusion. The strong protective association seen with the use of PFDs, particularly immersion suits, in surviving cold-water events indicates that many of the events that led to deaths in the target population could well have been survivable.

Bridging Gaps in Agricultural Safety and Health

BACKGROUND During the 1990s, Alaskan pilots had one of the most hazardous occupations in the US. In 2000, a multifaceted public health initiative was launched, focusing on Alaskan air taxi/commuter (AT) operations, including risk factor identification, improved weather information, and the formation of an industry-led safety organization. METHODS Effectiveness was assessed by comparing rates of crashes using Poisson regression, comparing trends in annual numbers of crashes, and assessing changes in the number and type of controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) events. RESULTS The greatest improvements were seen in Alaska fatal AT crashes with a 57% decrease in rates between time periods. While the number of AT crashes in the rest of the US steadily declined during 1990-2009, Alaska only showed significant declines after 2000. CFIT crashes declined but remained more deadly than other crashes. CONCLUSIONS This coordinated effort was successful in reducing crashes in the Alaskan AT industry.