Workplace Injuries Caused by Commercial Fishing Winches—Alaska, 2000–2020

ABSTRACT

Objectives

Deck machinery is a leading source of hospitalized injury for commercial fishing workers in Alaska. More detailed data are needed about the specific circumstances leading to injuries for developing targeted prevention efforts.

Methods

This study analyzed claims submitted to the Alaska Fisherman’s Fund (AFF) to identify patterns among injuries in Alaska from commercial fishing winches.

Results

During January 1, 2000–November 1, 2020, 125 traumatic injuries from commercial fishing winches were identified, mainly occurring among males (94%), frequently among fishermen aged 30 years or younger (54%). Over 80% of winch injuries occurred in salmon fisheries. By gear type, 40% of injuries occurred on vessels using purse seine gear, 30% on vessels using drift gillnet gear, and 12% among set gillnet operators. Most injuries involved a fisherman having a body part caught in or compressed by a winch or cables attached to a winch (67%). Injuries mainly affected upper extremities including fingers (50% of cases) or hands/wrists (together 22% of cases). Injury severity was not formally assessed, but injuries ranged from contusions, sprains, and strains to finger or hand crushing injuries, upper limb amputation, skull fracture, spinal fracture, and chest trauma. Most cases involved fractures (23%), amputations (18%), lacerations (16%), and contusions (16%). Of all injuries, 51% were caused by anchor winches, 32% were caused by deck winches, 9% were caused by trailer winches, and 9% were caused by other types of winches.

Conclusions

Practical solutions are needed for avoiding entanglement and struck-by hazards when operating fishing winches. Anchor winches warrant focused attention, having accounted for more than half of all winch injuries identified in this study. Engineering solutions, including emergency stop devices or other simple mechanical interventions depending on winch type, could help to avert potentially disabling injuries from winches. Administrative controls such as task-specific training for winches should be emphasized, especially for younger or less experienced commercial fishing crew, who may be at increased risk for injury.

KEYWORDS:

• Nonfatal injury
• occupational safety and health
• fishing
• winch safety

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, which provided data for this study from the Alaska Fishermen’s Fund. The authors also thank Devin Lucas, Alice Shumate, and Christa Hale for reviewing and providing feedback on the manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Disclaimer

The findings and conclusions of this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

Additional information

Funding

The authors did not receive any specific grant for this work from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.