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Accident and risk evaluation on Finnish Antarctic expeditions

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 October 2009

Anneli Pekkarinen ,
Sinikka Soini ,
Juhani Hassi  and
Heikki Laapio
Anneli Pekkarinen
Affiliation:
Oulu Regional Institute of Occupational Health, Box 451 SF-90101, Oulu, Finland
Sinikka Soini
Affiliation:
Turku Regional Institute of Occupational Health, Hameenkatu 10 SF-20500, Turku, Finland
Juhani Hassi
Affiliation:
Oulu Regional Institute of Occupational Health, Box 451 SF-90101, Oulu, Finland
Heikki Laapio
Affiliation:
South-Eastern Military Area Headquarters, Box 77 SF-45101, Kouvola, Finland
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Abstract

The first Finnish expedition to the Antarctic, made in 1988–89, included five men. The second, a year later, included 57, mostly researchers. Accidents that occurred during the expeditions were recorded by a medical doctor and their incidence rate and severity were estimated. The few accidents that occurred did not cause disability. Some 20 risk factors were evaluated from two questionnaires filled out during the journeys to and from Antarctica, using a scale from extremely safe to extremely unsafe. Working conditions were judged safer than had been expected, as were weather factors (wind, temperature, ice and snow circumstances). The most dangerous items identified, in order of importance, were moving along unmarked routes, weariness, unexpected dangers, hurry and tight schedules, and snow and ice. During the homeward journey, equipment for communication and for moving as well as personal equipment were judged more dangerous than had been expected in advance. Preparations for future expeditions should give more attention to these factors.

Type
Articles
Information
Polar Record , Volume 28 , Issue 165 , April 1992 , pp. 145 - 148
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1992

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