Epidemiological Approach for Prevention and Control
Creating a Haddon’s Matrix and analyzing the interaction of behavior, environment, and policy is one way to identify preventive measures and research needs (Robertson, 2007).
Phase |
Host |
Vehicle |
Physical Environment |
Social Environment |
Pre-event |
Alcohol and Drug Use; Attention span; Employee training; ability to swim; fatigue |
Safety equipment available (life boats); condition of vessel during inspections; vehicle capacity; operating radios; flares; maps |
Weather conditions; visibility; depth of water; warning signs; radios to contact US coast guards |
Training programs offered for equipment use; safety regulations: use of life vests; proper inspections on vessel; Alcohol consumption laws |
Event |
Human tolerance to water impact temperature tolerance (drowning/hypothermia); use of life jackets |
Crash worthiness of the vessel; impact capacity; ability to reduce speed |
Height of waves; depth of water; amount of impacts; integrity of vessel |
Mandated use of safety equipment |
Post-event |
Health status: Fatal or Non Fatal; Age of Occupant/Ability to recover and other Health issues |
Ability of vessel to be repaired; burn-resistant features; placement of fuel tanks |
Availability of effective and timely emergency response |
Workmen's compensation; medical bills; support and medical rehabilitation services; Unions to support small scale fishing operations |
Host:
• Employee Training and Safety Awareness (safety protocols and equipment use)
• Eliminate inexperienced workers
• Set reasonable work hours to reduce fatigue and inattention
Vessel:
• Inspections on a regular basis
• Maintenance of vessels
• Availability of safety equipment (life rafts and immersion suits)
Environmental/Social Factors:
• Watch for weather advisories
• Proper equipment (radios, maps)
• Emergency response plans
• Creation of unions for small scale operations
• Develop Safety Regulations to help decrease insurance costs