Document Type
Journal Article
Publication Title
Frontiers in Public Health
Volume
10
Publisher
Frontiers
School
School of Medical and Health Sciences
RAS ID
32529
Funders
Australian Government, Fisheries Research and Development Corporation 2017-231
Abstract
Although the safety performance of the Australian commercial fishing industry has been the subject of multiple investigations, it has ultimately remained undefined. While most Australian industries notify industry regulators of significant workplace incidents and injuries in their operations, the majority of persons in the commercial fishing industry are contractors who are paid piecework and in some jurisdictions specifically excluded from the worker compensation legislation, meaning that most occupational injuries, including fatalities, are not captured in the centralized worker compensation data sets. This study presents the analysis of a systematic review of industry databases, published academic, and, Australian coroners reports to assist improve the definition of the nation's commercial fishing industry safety performance. The analysis shows occupational fatality rates are significantly higher than currently reported, and recurring factors contributing to deaths at sea remain unaddressed. The study is significant as it demonstrates how workplace injuries and deaths can be hidden within data sets applying broad industry classification and provides a foundation for future research in Australian fishing and other industries.
DOI
10.3389/fpubh.2022.1013391
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Comments
Penney, G., Byrne, W., & Cattani, M. (2022). Death at sea - the true rate of occupational fatality within the Australian commercial fishing industry. Frontiers in Public Health, Article 1013391. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.1013391