BackgroundHigh occupational suicide rates are often linked to easy occupational access to a method of suicide. This study aimed to compare suicide rates across all occupations in Britain, how they have changed over the past 30 years, and how they may vary by occupational socio-economic group.MethodWe used national occupational mortality statistics, census-based occupational populations and death inquiry files (for the years 1979–1980, 1982–1983 and 2001–2005). The main outcome measures were suicide rates per 100 000 population, percentage changes over time in suicide rates, standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) and proportional mortality ratios (PMRs).ResultsSeveral occupations with the highest suicide rates (per 100 000 population) during 1979–1980 and 1982–1983, including veterinarians (ranked first), pharmacists (fourth), dentists (sixth), doctors (tenth) and farmers (thirteenth), have easy occupational access to a method of suicide (pharmaceuticals or guns). By 2001–2005, there had been large significant reductions in suicide rates for each of these occupations, so that none ranked in the top 30 occupations. Occupations with significant increases over time in suicide rates were all manual occupations whereas occupations with suicide rates that decreased were mainly professional or non-manual. Variation in suicide rates that was explained by socio-economic group almost doubled over time from 11.4% in 1979–1980 and 1982–1983 to 20.7% in 2001–2005.ConclusionsSocio-economic forces now seem to be a major determinant of high occupational suicide rates in Britain. As the increases in suicide rates among manual occupations occurred during a period of economic prosperity, carefully targeted suicide prevention initiatives could be beneficial.

The expansion of the British merchant fleet in recent years does not appear to have had a major impact on fatal accidents. Further preventive measures should target fatalities during mooring and towing operations. Internationally, most shipping fleets have over time experienced large decreases in fatal accident rates.

The Polish small-scale fishing industry has a high mortality rate which varies significantly by type of vessel and use of alcohol may be a significant contributory factor.

Although merchant seafaring was previously a high-risk occupation for suicides at work, there has been a sharp fall in the suicide rate in the past 40 years. Likely reasons for this include reductions over time in long intercontinental voyages and changes over time in seafarers' lifestyles.

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Background: The safety of life and work at sea depends, among other things, on the state of health of the members of the crew. Despite preliminary fitness selection, death at sea is still frequent. In the present paper, causes and circumstances of fatal cases at sea in the years 1985-1994 were analyzed for one Polish shipping company. Methods: Analysis was based on medical documentation and reports of accidents prepared by health centers, the employer and the marine judiciary. The effects of work conditions, as well as disease, on the resulting death were taken into account. The data obtained were compared to the mortality in nonseafaring men of productive age. Results: The most frequent causes of deaths were sea catastrophes, circulatory system diseases, injuries, and poisonings (a total of 85%). Next were suicides, "missings," and cerebral apoplexies. Seamen of 50 to 59 years of age died most often, primarily of myocardial infarction. Fatal events occurred in different places (mostly at sea, less frequently in port). Certain onboard occupations were identified as most dangerous for fatal accidents. The shipowner acknowledged 60% of the deaths as accidents at work. The effects of weather conditions, stress, overstrain, and lack of access to qualified medical assistance were analyzed. A relationship between diagnosed disease and death was found only in the case of myocardial infarction and cerebral apoplexy. In scarcely 15% of these cases were preliminary symptoms noticed, while behavioral and personality disturbances were earlier observed in the majority of suicides. Conclusions: The ship has remained one of the most dangerous workplaces, and fatal cases are to a large extent related to specific labor conditions at sea.

These data suggest that the employees used to postpone the procedure of occupational disease certification. Short work experience confirms a higher risk of infection among employees of analytical laboratories and dental offices. The relationship between a higher risk of infection in workers and a shorter duration of employment (little work experience) was evidenced.

The impact of a slide bearings factory on its workers was examined. Urine and blood samples were collected from 42 workers and six people employed in the offices in the same factory (control group). Concentrations of Al, Cu, Pb and Zn in blood and urine samples were measured twice (before and after chelation therapy) by ICP-MS technique using standard addition method. The essential differences in concentrations of elements for workers and control group were evaluated using non-parametric Mann-Whitney U-test. Significant differences between workers and control group were found for Pb in blood and Al in urine samples. The study was also undertaken to indicate correlation between blood and urine element content, workers' ages, their period of work and work section. It was also found that intravenous administration of 1 g of calcium-disodium versanate significantly increased urinary excretion of Pb and Zn, but not Al.