March 2025: Seafaring, fishing, marine aquaculture, and longshore work tend to be hazardous occupations with high injury rates. They are associated with varying levels of seasonality, shift work, geographic mobility, and different types of remuneration, posing unique challenges when recovering from work-related injury and illness. This paper presents findings from a mixed methods research program designed to provide insight into injury, compensation and RTW experiences among BC maritime workers.
Key findings:
- Analysis of workers’ compensation data shows high rates of serious injuries, longer disability duration, and high rates of deemed RTW, particularly in fishing.
- Survey findings suggest a relatively low percentage of workers file claims for workers’ compensation to WorkSafeBC.
- Interview data highlight some of the challenges that may explain under-reporting, longer disability duration, and relatively poor RTW outcomes.
Read more in New Solutions: A Journal of Environmental and Occupational Health Policy.
