Occupational safety and health challenges for maritime key workers in the global COVID‐19 pandemic

Shan, Desai

doi:10.1111/ilr.12220

Cited by 29 publications

(66 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…This meant that when the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted crew changes, many seafarers found themselves on board for 11 months or more ( De Beukelaer, 2021 ). In this way, the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed and exacerbated some of the pre-existing systemic problems in the maritime industry ( Shan, 2021 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the maritime context, characteristics of the profession (e.g., isolation, loneliness, separation from family, lack of shore leave), industry characteristics (e.g., job insecurity, long periods of time on board), and work design factors (e.g., physical aspects of work, shift-work, workload) are well-known job demands ( Jepsen et al, 2017 , Mellbye and Carter, 2017 , Österman et al, 2020 ). As discussed earlier, the COVID-19 pandemic, together with the measures aimed at containing it, can be expected to increase the demanding aspects of the job or even introduce new demands ( Shan, 2021 ), with negative consequences for the mental health of seafarers.…”

Section: Seafarers’ Mental Health and The Impact Of The Covid-19 Pandemicmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated some of the pre-existing challenges, while also posing new challenges for the maritime industry ( Shan, 2021 ). For instance, measures implemented to reduce the spread of the virus, such as border closures and travel restrictions, have affected crew changes ( Doumbia-Henry, 2020 , Shan, 2021 ) and contributed to seafarers’ time on board being extended even further, at times beyond the legally permitted maximum length ( Coutroubis et al, 2020 , Hebbar and Mukesh, 2020 ). Shore leave was further restricted or not permitted at all in many ports ( Doumbia-Henry, 2020 , Hebbar and Mukesh, 2020 , Shan, 2021 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For instance, measures implemented to reduce the spread of the virus, such as border closures and travel restrictions, have affected crew changes ( Doumbia-Henry, 2020 , Shan, 2021 ) and contributed to seafarers’ time on board being extended even further, at times beyond the legally permitted maximum length ( Coutroubis et al, 2020 , Hebbar and Mukesh, 2020 ). Shore leave was further restricted or not permitted at all in many ports ( Doumbia-Henry, 2020 , Hebbar and Mukesh, 2020 , Shan, 2021 ). This made it difficult to get medical assistance and supplies or carry out repairs and maintenance work ( Doumbia-Henry, 2020 , Hebbar and Mukesh, 2020 , Shan, 2021 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Shore leave was further restricted or not permitted at all in many ports ( Doumbia-Henry, 2020 , Hebbar and Mukesh, 2020 , Shan, 2021 ). This made it difficult to get medical assistance and supplies or carry out repairs and maintenance work ( Doumbia-Henry, 2020 , Hebbar and Mukesh, 2020 , Shan, 2021 ). Additional challenges included the fear of infection, uncertainty, job insecurity, and concerns about the well-being of family and friends at home ( Coutroubis et al, 2020 , Shan, 2021 , Sliskovic, 2020 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of seafarers: A comparison using matched samples

2022

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The COVID-19 pandemic and the measures implemented to curb its transmission have altered workplaces and challenged occupational health and safety in unprecedented ways, with high levels of mental distress reported across several industries. In the maritime industry, occupational health and safety risks, including psychosocial risks, were a concern already before the COVID-19 pandemic. However, knowledge about the prevalence of mental health problems and the factors associated with them is still limited. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the effects of respondent and work-related characteristics on seafarers’ self-reported symptoms of depression and anxiety. Data came from two cross-sectional convenience samples of seafarers on international commercial vessels, surveyed before (N pre-pandemic = 793) and during the pandemic (N pandemic = 504). Matching the two samples on respondent and work-related characteristics using propensity scores, we found that the pandemic contributed to significantly higher levels of depression and anxiety. Further analyses showed that seafarers with longer work periods, those who had been on board longer than expected, and those working on vessels registered with “Flags of Convenience” reported significantly higher levels of both depression and anxiety during the pandemic, but not prior to the pandemic. Taken together, these findings suggest that the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic led to a deterioration of working conditions and increased mental health risks for seafarers. Practical implications for safe-guarding occupational health and safety during this and future crises are discussed.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Seafarers’ Mental Health and The Impact Of The Covid-19 Pandemicmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of seafarers: A comparison using matched samples

2022

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Mental health and wellbeing of seafaring personnel during COVID-19: Scoping review

Brooks

Greenberg

2022

Journal of Occupational Health

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Objectives We aimed to synthesize published literature on seafarers' mental health and wellbeing during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Methods This scoping review searched four electronic databases for literature on the mental health and wellbeing of seafarers during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Results Fourteen studies were included in the review. Few reported on the prevalence of mental health conditions. Only one compared mental health data gathered during the pandemic to pre‐pandemic matched samples, suggesting symptoms of depression and anxiety were greater during the pandemic. There was some evidence that mental health worsened with longer stays on board during the pandemic and being on board longer than expected. Crew exchange difficulties forced many participants to extend their contracts or delay repatriation, often with little information as to when they might get to go home, leading them to feel they had no control over their lives and causing concern about fatigue and the potential for accidents and injuries. Participants described other challenges such as denial of shore leave; concerns about finances and future employment; loneliness and isolation; fears of COVID‐19 infection; limited access to essential supplies; and feeling unsupported by management. Conclusions Maritime organizations must understand how best to support their staff in the aftermath of the COVID‐19 pandemic and in any other prolonged crises that may arise in the future. Recommendations include ensuring that staff feel valued by their organization; enhancing work‐related autonomy; ensuring that communication is accurate, consistent, and timely; and using lessons learned from the COVID‐19 pandemic to inform emergency preparedness policies.

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The Impact of COVID-19 on Arctic Shipping: An Area-Based Public/Occupational Health Perspective

Shan,

Yadav

2024

Area-Based Management of Shipping

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Maritime activities are increasing in the Arctic and near Arctic areas, including domestic shipping and international transit traffic. Arctic shipping has created opportunities for cruise tourism, resource transportation, community supply transportation, research, and government services. However, hazards and challenges inherent to maritime operations in the Canadian Arctic cannot be ignored, including extreme Arctic weather conditions, limited port infrastructure, extensive distances from search and rescue services, and restricted access to medical care in Northern communities. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has compounded these challenges, posing a threat to the well-being and safety of seafarers.This chapter explores the occupational health and safety challenges confronted by Canadian Arctic seafarers during the COVID-19 pandemic through qualitative interviews with 20 industry stakeholders, including seafarers, union representatives, managers, and maritime consultants. The findings revealed seafarers’ concerns of increased risks due to pandemic-induced public health measures including lockdowns, travel restrictions, and controls. The deprivation of shore leaves and prolonged isolation from families substantially impacted the mental health of seafarers, amplifying the risks of depression and anxiety. A comprehensive Arctic occupational health and safety (OHS) policy framework is recommended to support seafarers in addressing the above challenges.

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Occupational safety and health challenges for maritime key workers in the global COVID‐19 pandemic

Cited by 29 publications

References 14 publications

Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of seafarers: A comparison using matched samples

Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of seafarers: A comparison using matched samples

Mental health and wellbeing of seafaring personnel during COVID-19: Scoping review

The Impact of COVID-19 on Arctic Shipping: An Area-Based Public/Occupational Health Perspective

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