Air and water powered tools are employed increasingly in industry and involve new possibilities for occupational casualties. A new mechanism of trauma is described where the cause of death was an injury to the head, similar to a firearm wound. The "missile" was the water beam from the victim's own high pressure cleansing device, which was able to produce water pressure up to 900 atmospheres resulting in high water velocity of 300 meters/second. As prophylaxis, new legislations, as a result of understandings between employers and employees in the member states of the Common Market, are under preparation at present.
During the three-year period 1987-1989, 80 persons were registered with lesions following accidents with chain saws. The information in the casualty department records was supplemented by an interview questionnaire. Sale of chain saws increased from the middle of the nineteen eighties although no appreciable increase in the number of accidents was registered. One of the reasons for this may be the legislation concerning safety equipment which was introduced in the middle of the nineteen eighties. Further efforts are still required to reduce the number of accidents. On the basis of the results of the investigation, the following suggestions are made: 1. Written information about personal protective equipment should be issued to every purchaser of a chain saw. 2. An informative campaign about the correct use of the chain saw and the personal protective equipment. 3. Compulsory issue of personal protective equipment in connection with hire of a chain saw. 4. Safety gloves should be included in the safety requirements.
The object of this work is to draw attention to injuries resulting from explosions caused by work with wheel rims and tyres, the extent of the problem and the safety rules which already exist. Seven illustrative cases are presented. A not inconsiderable but frequently disregarded risk for accidental explosions is present in connection with pumping tyres and repairs of tyres and wheel rims. During the explosions, pressure waves of enormous violence may frequently be released. In connection with four accidental explosions of this type, a total of seven persons were injured. Four of these sustained life-threatening injuries. On the basis of the serious accidents, the authors consider it important to draw attention to the fact that the rules, which exist already and which are aimed primarily at avoiding and possibly limiting the extent of the violent explosive energy, should be brought to the notice of all who work with tyres and wheel rims.
The paper describes how the Icelandic fleet increased from 1980 to 2005, as well as the number of fishermen employed in the various sections of the fleet. All categories of the fleet have increased considerably in tonnage, while the number of fishermen has declined. At the same time the catch per man-year at sea has increased, rendering the Icelandic fisheries among the most efficient in the world in terms of catch and value per manpower. The number of fatalities in the Icelandic fisheries has declined steadily in this period. In absolute numbers these accidents are most common on decked vessels under 45m, but when weighed against man-years, fishermen on open boats are in greatest danger of losing their lives. The most common cause of fatalities is foundering of the vessel, which may cause multiple fatalities, then is man-over-board, followed by drowning in harbour and miscellaneous accidents. The reduction in the number of fatal accidents at sea may have several reasons. Mandatory safety and survival training of all fishermen, improved working conditions at sea, better telecommunications, constant VMS surveillance and a 24hr availability of airborne rescue teams have all helped to reduce fatalities in the Icelandic fishing fleet from 1980 until 2005.
The author described current system insuring victims of occupational accidents and patients with occupational diseases, with participation of all off-budget funds and health service budget, with consideration of work conditions and occupational morbidity in Rostov region. Analysis covered experience and efficiency of Obligatory Medical Insurance System (unique in this country, which participated in insuring occupational victims) in insuring victims of occupational accidents in the region.
