Anthropogenic factors and spatio-temporal conditions affecting occupational accidents in fishery sector, Iran (2007-2011)

The high occupational accident rate in fishery sector is a worldwide issue. The aim of present study was to investigate the characteristics of occupational accident in fishery sector of Iran during 2007- 2011. In the present study, a total of 1076 fishery occupational accidents being recorded during 2007- 2011 by the Ministry of Labor and Social Affair were invetigated. A Chi-square test was used to investigate the association between factors influencing accidents. The most victims aged less than 35 years old (45.47%), with elementary and secondary educations (64.58%), married (75.84%) and based in south of Iran (46.1%). The most accidents occurred on summer (27.23%), during 8-12 hours of day (32.78%) and among workers with less than 1 year experience (44.89%). Significant associations were found between accident time (season), educational levels of victims, age of victims, geographical location and victim’s experience with accident occurrence. The accident control programs, especially related occupational accidents, identifying groups at risk and factor's affecting the accidents were the crucial issues to be identified. There are some possible management actions that most likely would reduce occupational accident rate in fishery sector including: raising safety awareness, encouraging workers to participate in safety programs, encouraging workers to use protective equipment during fishery.