Industrial Workers Perception of Reverse Motion Warning Devices on Forklifts

In the United States, forklift accidents account for one in every six workplace fatalities (Bostelman and Shackleford, 2010). Backup warning devices such as tonal alarms and blue safety lights are commonly used to alert pedestrians of approaching forklifts. The purpose of this research is to identify worker’s perception on the effectiveness of two configurations of backup alarm systems: the level of nuisance perceived of these systems; and the importance of having a forward motion warning system. Results of this study indicate no statistically significant differences in the level of satisfaction between facilities using tonal backup alarms and facilities that use both tonal backup alarms along with blue safety lights. Additionally, results of this study indicate that the majority of the pedestrians and forklift operators sampled are in favor of having forward motion warning devices installed on forklifts.

Workplace Death at Sea: Chinese Surviving Families’ Experiences of Compensation Claims

Seafaring remains one of the most adventurous yet dangerous forms of work. Compared to shore-based industrial workers, seafarers suffer a risk of fatality that is up to 11 times higher. Workplace fatality is proved to be harmful to the social, financial and health conditions of surviving families. Although there has been an increase in attention given to the improvement of seafarers’ health and working conditions at sea, the effects of death at sea on surviving families has remained neglected by both researchers and policymakers. Drawing on in-depth interviews conducted with eight surviving family members in 2013 and 2014, this study investigates seafarers’ surviving families’ experiences of raising death compensation claims in China, which has the world’s largest population of seafarers. The work-related fatalities occurred between 2005 and 2013. At the time of the study, 2.4 years had elapsed on average since the deaths took place. All research participants reported considerable difficulties in communicating with crewing agencies and contacting ship owners when making compensation claims. This study shows that surviving families are in a vulnerable position when in conflict with companies. It also reveals that weak state prevention forces surviving families to defend their rights through protests. The absence of regulation over organizations involved in foreign-related employment relationships exacerbates the economic loss and mental harm suffered by surviving families following the occurrence of workplace fatalities. Furthermore, current legal and administrative procedures are unable to restore justice and provide therapeutic help for surviving families. Consequently, surviving families have suffered considerable financial loss and additional psychological harm in claim processes.

Missed Opportunities to Prevent Workplace Injuries and Fatalities

Prevention efforts, especially in high-income countries, have reduced work-related death and injury. Despite this, the global incidence of workplace fatalities remains unacceptably high with approximately 317 million incidents occurring on the job annually. Of particular concern is the occurrence and re-occurrence of incidents with a similar cause and circumstance, such as fatalities occurring in agriculture and transport industries. Efforts to reduce workplace fatalities include surveillance and reporting, investigation, and regulation. Challenges remain in all three domains, limiting the prevention of work-related injuries and deaths. In this commentary, the nature of these challenges and recommendations on how to overcome them are described. Examples of incidents of workplace injury and death, as well as injury prevention efforts are provided to ensure contextual understanding. Reflecting on the present enhances key stakeholders, policy and decision-makers’ understanding of the opportunities to reducing harm and the associated human, and economic and legal costs.