Commonly observed hazards, causative agents, and associated health effects in the fish processing industry
| Hazard category | Causative agents/processes | Health effect(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Safety | Unprotected machinery | Hand trauma (cuts, lacerations, calluses) |
| Wet surfaces causing slips and falls | Sprains and fractures | |
| Electrical cables on wet surfaces | Electrocution | |
| Splashing of fish secretions (bile) | Corneal erosions | |
| Physical | Noise (cannery) | Noise induced hearing loss |
| Low temperatures (freezers) and wet environments | Hypothermia, frost-bite, Raynaud’s, asthma aggravation | |
| Chemical | Sensitisers (formalin, printing inks, glue) | Rhinoconjunctivitis, asthma, dermatitis |
| Irritants (handcleaners, soaps, detergents) | Dermatitis, rhinoconjunctivitis, asthma | |
| Toxic gasses in fish holding tanks (hydrogen sulphide) | Asphyxiation | |
| Hypertonic saline aerosols (sea water) | Aggravation of asthma symptoms | |
| Biological | Spiny fish | Hand trauma (puncture wounds, lacerations) |
| Fish toxins | Toxic reactions (local/generalised) | |
| Fish proteins (muscle, blood, enzymes) | Rhinoconjunctivitis, asthma, urticaria, dermatitis | |
| Vegetable dust additives (garlic, spices) | Rhinoconjunctivitis, asthma, urticaria, dermatitis | |
| Parasites (Anisakis) | Infection, rhinoconjunctivitis, asthma, urticaria | |
| Microorganisms (Vibrio, hepatitis A) | Wound infection, sepsis | |
| Bacterial toxins (endotoxin, histamine) | Organic dust toxic syndrome, mucous membrane irritation, rhinoconjunctivitis, asthma, urticaria | |
| Mould in wet, damp, humid environments | Infection, rhinoconjunctivitis, asthma, urticaria, hypersensitivity pneumonitis | |
| Ergonomic | Repetitive work (cutting and trimming of fillets), forceful motions of upper limbs, constrained neck postures (sorting), prolonged standing (grading, sorting), loading bags and cans | Musculoskeletal cumulative trauma disorders (neck pain, shoulder girdle pain, elbow pain/epicondylitis, wrist pain/carpal tunnel syndrome, lower backache) |
| Psychosocial | Excessive speed on workline, poor workplace organisation | Stress related symptoms (anxiety, insomnia, digestive problems), fatigue |