Table 2 Traumatic hand injury event details (cases = 65) in southeastern United States commercial fishermen (n = 46), 1999–2001
Cases (%)
Prior activity
    Working with nets, pots or lines19 (29.7)
    Maintenance17 (26.6)
    Working with catch13 (20.3)
    Load, unload, trailer boat, dock, cast off, etc8 (12.5)
    Non-specific activities while commercial fishing8 (10.9)
    Missing1
Contact cause
    Knife, hook or other sharp object18 (28.1)
    Finfish, shellfish or other sea animals13 (20.3)
    Fishing gear11 (17.2)
    Tools or equipment10 (15.6)
    Other9 (14.1)
    Falling on a hard surface4 (6.3)
Severity
    No time off, self care38 (60.3)
    No time off, external care*14 (22.2)
    Time off, self care6 (9.5)
    Time off, external care*5 (7.9)
    Missing2
Time lost from accident
    Not slowed down at work and no lost time36 (55.4)
    Slowed down at work but no lost time18 (27.7)
    Lost time less than 1 week10 (15.4)
    Lost time 1 week or more1 (1.5)

  • *External care includes care from anyone other than the individual and includes medical personnel, co-workers or family members.