ABSTRACT

This research intends to identify and analyse the causes of accidents or "works injuries" among the Ferry-Boat crew. We tried to identify the frequency and seriousness of the injuries that the crew had suffred and the relationship between "work injuries" and alcohol. Specific objetives : predict the future if the determinants remain the same. This is being divided into past, present and future. The past is the introduction, reading relevant material and metodology . The present: the results. The future the porspects.The theoretical reference is about navigation at sea and the crews`s health, work and accidents or injuries at work among the crew, as well as a discussion on alcohol and accidents at work. The data are from secondary and main sources from the "Consórcio Marítimo da Bahia - COMAB", through documents and life histories (as a technique) applied to four of the members of the crew, four of them part of the same family and 3 leaders of the company. The present - the results - , identified through the company registers and witness accounts, showing that work conditions of the crew are poor and in need of investment for improvement. In addition, they show different causes for the accidents or "work injuries" giving emphasis to the individual, social, institutional and cultural enviroment. From these causes, alcohol called, our attention, because, although it’s not recognised by them, their discussion and that of the people that live with them and their leaders suggest its relationship with work, and possibly, with the accident that happen to the workers. This is, therefore, a study that offers grants to the Merchant Navy so that they can think the accidents or works injuries over and see them as a social problem.