FISHING VESSEL SAFETY – RISK ASSESSMENT

Under the Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (Health and Safety at Work) Regulation 1997 that came into force 31 March 1998, there is a general duty on employers to ensure the health and safety of workers and other persons so far as reasonably practicable.  Under the legislation a written health and safety policy is required for vessels with more than five employees and all vessels need to have carried out a risk assessment.

In response to fishermens concerns over health and safety requirements, the Sea Fish Industry Authority has produced the Fishing Vessels Safety folder to guide fishermen through completing their own risk assessment.

The Fishing Vessels Safety Folder, developed in conjunction with the Fishing Federations and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, contains all the necessary forms required to comply with the above legislation.  It comprises a policy statement document with checklist and risk assessment forms to cover most fishing vessels and fishing methods.  

Further Information from:

Seafish Technology,
Seafish House,
St Andrews Dock,
Hull, HU3 4QE

Tel: 01482 327 837

Advice on completion of the forms is available from Alan Dean, 01482 327 837, a_dean@seafish.co.uk, or Josh rice, j_rice@seafish.co.uk

The National Federation of Fishermens organisations, the Scottish Fishermens Federation and the Northern Ireland Fishermens Federation hold stocks for their members.