In SwedishAccident statistics for 2006 – continued fall in accident levels
Statistics from 2006 show that the number of accidents on Swedish merchant and fishing ships continues to fall, despite a small increase in the number of ships registered. No reason has yet been established, but one guess is that electronic aids such as AIS may influence the figures positively to some extent. Neither can it be ruled out that increased awareness of safety issues onboard and at shipping companies, for example in the form of increased internal reporting of near accidents, may have had a certain influence on results.
It should also be mentioned that the Investigation Unit firmly believes negligence concerning active lookouts on the bridge and bypassing rest time rules are two very important factors in accidents. The number of collisions and groundings would be halved at least if these rules were fully complied with.
Engine breakdowns increase over time
In general terms it appears that accidents in all categories have decreased, even though it is doubtful whether the number of engine breakdowns is permanently falling. If we look at statistics over a full ten-year period instead, it seems that events in this category are rising slightly.
When figures for 2007 are completed, they will hopefully confirm the trend change from 2006 and the downward tendency.
Fishermen live dangerously
With respect to deaths at sea due to accidents over the last eleven years, there are three main categories that stand out. These are fishing (not leisure fishing), falls overboard and accidents that take place in closed spaces.
Closed spaces continue to be mortal danger
The risks associated with closed spaces have been highlighted previously, but deserve to be mentioned again. Figures show that there has been a striking rise in such accidents in recent years that is difficult to explain. The vast majority have taken place since 2005. It is mainly loads not normally considered dangerous that have been deadly, such as wood pellets, timber and wood chips. In one case it was rotting fish waste. When the cargo hold was being cleaned, two crewmembers died and one was severely injured.
Other personnel injuries
Seamen run almost twice as large risks of injuries at work in comparison with other categories in gainful employment. The difference has also increased in recent years due to the general fall in injury frequency, while the number of injuries at sea has remained relatively unchanged. This can possibly be explained by the changes in terms and conditions related to injuries and procedures for reporting sick in the last few years, which may have had greater impact for those working on land. Nevertheless, these figures need careful consideration.
Older personnel injured more often than younger
What is a little remarkable, though, is that injury frequency increases with rising age of personnel. The youngest categories have the lowest proportion of accidents whereas the proportion rises with age, finally growing radically for the age group 60–64.
It would seem reasonable that age and experience should have a preventive effect on accidents, but there are perhaps natural explanations if one considers the increasing susceptibility to injuries with increasing age. These injuries are costly for individuals, companies and society as a whole and there is good reason to work with accident prevention.
The Marine Surveying Department will continue to invest in inspections of work environment onboard ships.
Iu. SjöV medd. 1/2007
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