ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: This study aims at getting a comprehensive view of the incidence, nature and circumstances leading up to injuries in Icelandic waters in 2001-2005. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The NOMESCO database at Landspitali University Hospital registers prospectively accidents at sea treated in the Emergency Department, including circumstances leading to the accident, vessel type, experience, task being performed, weather conditions etc. The Icelandic Marine Accident Investigation Board provided data on fatal injuries, and additional information on injuries at sea was collected from the Social Insurance Administration (SIA). RESULTS: Of 17 fatal accidents occurring in 2001-2005 14 were work related which amounts to 54/100.000 seamen/year. The SIA received 1787 injury reports (7% of registered seamen), 826 sought assistance at Landspitali, 52 were admitted with an average injury severity score of 5.5 (1-16) and no ensuing fatalities. Most accidents occurred on fishing vessels (87%), 51% thereof on trawlers. Experienced fishermen are most commonly injured, working on deck in daylight and stable weather. CONCLUSIONS: Fatalities have declined steadily in the last two decades, yet 7% of registered fishermen sustain injuries each year. These occur amongst experienced fishermen in good external conditions, which calls for revision of safety procedures on board.
Subject(s)
Accidents, Occupational/mortality , Occupational Health , Ships , Wounds and Injuries/epidemiology , Accident Prevention , Accidents, Occupational/prevention & control , Humans , Iceland/epidemiology , Incidence , Male , Prospective Studies , Registries , Severity of Illness Index , Time Factors , Wounds and Injuries/mortality , Wounds and Injuries/prevention & controlABSTRACT
AIMS: To evaluate the main characteristics which differentiate between those who are considered to benefit from rehabilitation and those for whom disability pension is thought more appropriate. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study includes all those fulfilling the medical criteria for rehabilitation benefits or full disability pension in their first assessment at the State Social Security Institute of Iceland between September 1st 1999 and November 30th 2003. RESULTS: Rehabilitation benefits were mainly awarded in younger age groups; disability pension in older age groups. Mental and behavioural disorders were the most common medical reasons for granting rehabilitation benefits among both genders, followed by disorders of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue, malignant neoplasms and injuries. Among females disorders of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue were the most common medical reason for granting full disability pension, but this group of disorders was a less common reason for rehabilitation benefits. Those who fulfilled the medical criteria for rehabilitation benefits due to disorders of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue were markedly older than those who fulfilled the medical criteria for rehabilitation benefits due to mental and behavioural disorders. CONCLUSION: In Iceland rehabilitation benefits are most likely to be awarded to relatively young claimants suffering from psychiatric disorders.
