The American Journal of Industrial Medicine recently published a study by Devin Lucas and Jennifer Lincoln titled Fatal Falls Overboard on Commercial Fishing Vessels in Alaska. Conclusions reached in this study pose many lessons to be learned by recreational boaters throughout the world.
A Substantial Problem - Two hundred and ninety-six commercial fishermen died in Alaska between the years of 1990 and 2005, and 71 of these deaths were caused by falls overboard. Commercial fishing fatalities represent one third of all occupational fatalities occurring in Alaska during the same time period. Common circumstances for falls include working with fishing gear, being on deck alone, loss of balance or slipping, heavy weather and alcohol use. Not one of the fall victims was wearing a personal flotation device (PFD).
Controlling the Injuries - Researchers Lucas and Lincoln noted that the frequency of falls overboard during the study remained unchanged in spite of an overall improvement in fishing vessel safety. They proposed a number of suggestions that could change this deadly trend. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) looks at injury prevention in a hierarchy of actions to be taken. First an employer looks at engineering controls to prevent an injury before it can occur, secondly administrative controls are addressed that reduce the exposure to risk and finally, the use of personal protective equipment is prescribed when the first two interventions do not make the work environment perfectly safe.
Engineering Controls - Making the work environment physically safe is the most desirable type of injury control. Engineering suggestions found in the study include:
- Creating more protected spaces and raising the height of gunnels
- Install an automated Man Overboard alarm system that incorporates an engine cutoff switch
- Installing non-slip deck surfacing to help prevent slips and falls
Administrative Controls - These would be polices or actions put into place that would make a vessel safer. Examples include:
- Coast Guard regulations for commercial vessels that require a throwable flotation device be onboard and that crew practice monthly safety drills
- A skipper setting a zero tolerance policy for alcohol onboard. Alcohol was involved in 20 percent of the fatal falls
- Establishing a policy that crew does not go out on deck alone
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) - Requiring PPE is an employer's last chance to provide for crew safety when engineering and administrative controls have failed to make the work environment safe. Falls can't be totally prevented, so PPE is required for safe boating. Some examples of PPE are:
- Carry and learn how to use an immersion suit for operations in cold water
- Consider wearing a PFD while on deck at anytime. PFDs come in many easy to wear forms like float coats or suspenders
- Wear a Man Overboard device that alerts others of a fall overboard
- Install an engine kill switch
- Consider carrying an accessible knife if working with fishing gear or lines overboard
Falls overboard pose a serious risk to all boaters, commercial and recreational alike. The problem is magnified in cold water. Recreational boaters can learn from safety researchers and adopt some of these safety suggestions. The obvious first step is to buy a comfortable PFD and wear it. Use of this one simple form of PPE increases your chances of survival once in the water.
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