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Commercial Fishing

What should I know before reading about this occupation? This profile summarizes the common issues and duties for commercial fishing operations.

fall protection

What should I know before reading about this occupation?

requirement This profile summarizes the common issues and duties for commercial fishing operations. It is impossible to predict all of the possible hazards a commercial fishing person may encounter. The demands can be sporadic and unpredictable with intermittent periods of intense physical and psychological stress. This summary focuses on the major job duties that most commercial fishing persons (those fishing primarily from a vessel on water) would have in common.
administrative This document is not specific to enforcement, rescue, or diving operations. These occupations require specific training and qualifications beyond the general information provided here.

Briefly, what does a commercial fishing person do?

The main duties of a commercial fishing person include:

What are some health and safety hazards associated with commercial fishing?

Commercial fishing is done in an extreme environment, and uses various types of equipment. Because the environment can change quickly, it is important to remain alert to any changes. Hazards include (but are not limited to): Two key concerns that have been identified in the commercial fishing industry include modifications made to vessels and their impacts on stability, and inadequate or failure to use lifesaving equipment (i.e., personal flotation devices, immersion suits, and emergency signalling devices). These concerns are highlighted by the number of deaths occurring due to people falling overboard, and vessels capsizing, which are two of the most common causes of death (Transportation Safety Board of Canada, 2022).

ergonomic Working on or near water, including cold-water shock and immersion
general Drowning
biological Injuries from fish spines, bones, teeth, or bacteria
general Weather (including lightning)
physical Cold environments
general Hot environments
general Humidex rating
physical Ultraviolent radiation (sunlight)
general Extreme climate events
biological Working safely around stinging Insects
biological Diseases transmitted by insect bites, including Lyme Disease and West Nile Virus
general Working outdoors:
safety Working at heights, including the use of body belts, harnesses and lanyards
safety Working in confined spaces
safety Working near machinery, including using safeguards
general Working with hand tools and powered hand tools
chemical Chemical hazards, including following WHMIS – the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System
physical Noise
safety Slips, trips, falls
general Working on ladders
ergonomic Work-related musculoskeletal disorders
ergonomic Lifting and materials handling
general Pulling and pushing
safety Damage to the boat, including fire collision, grounding, capsizing,
psychosocial Fatigue from long hours of work or shiftwork
general Food and kitchen hygiene
general Cooking safely
safety Working with sharp blades or edges
psychosocial Working alone
psychosocial Workplace violence and harassment

What emergency response procedures should be in place?

administrative All crew members should know how to respond to a person overboard, fire on board, and flooding of the boat. The crew must also know how to abandon ship, and to call for help using any radios, phones, flares, distress flags, or other emergency signals. All crew should also know the location and use of safety equipment, engine room components and controls, deck equipment and rigging, and navigation equipment and electronic devices. The crew should also know how to safely use the fishing equipment, how to anchor the boat, and how to escape the boat. Everyone on board the vessel should know what their responsibilities are in the event of an emergency, where to access the appropriate equipment and how to use it, and what procedures need to be followed.. Learn exactly what specific requirements and regulations apply to your vessel.
requirement Drills should be done regularly, including at the beginning of the season, and anytime when new crew is on board. Drills can include how to abandon ship, how to deal with a situation (flood, fire, collision, etc.), how to put on the immersion suit, and how to rescue a person who fell overboard. Use of life jackets or personal flotation devices (PFDs) is required by law. Immersion suits are also recommended when working over cold water.

What are some general steps a commercial fishing operation should take?

context Before leaving port, inspect and test equipment including the hull of the boat, watertight doors and hatches, all alarm systems, and rescue equipment. Keep doors and hatches closed to avoid flooding.
context Keep all machinery in good repair, and make sure all guards and emergency stop devices are installed and working correctly. Regularly inspect all rescue equipment and report any damage to the vessel master. Do not wear loose-fitting clothing or dangling jewellery or rings as they may get caught in nets, lines, or machinery. Tie back long hair.
context When boarding or leaving the vessel, use the gangway or ladder. Don't jump.
context Decks should have non-slip surfaces (except where a smooth surface is required to handle fish). Keep decks clear and uncluttered.
context Stow all ropes in coils. Tie down or stow loose equipment. Clean up spills and manage any water or ice issues to avoid slips and falls.
context Vessels with galleys and crew quarters will need to manage food and kitchen cleanliness to prevent food borne diseases, as well as knowing how to work safely with sharp blades or knives. In addition, cooking must be managed in a small space that moves with the motion of the vessel. Store utensils in racks and drawers, and use a guardrail on the stove to help stop pots and pans from moving.
context Make sure that cabins and living quarters are well-ventilated, and use alarms to alert the crew (e.g., carbon monoxide detectors).
context Never stand in or around loose rope or wire to avoid getting entangled, especially when wires, ropes or nets are moving.
context Wear heavy gloves or mitts when handling wire rope, and never guide wire with your hands or feet.
context Do not stand under a load or in areas where overhead equipment may swing.
context Make sure the vessel is equipped with the appropriate life saving equipment (e.g., personal flotation devices, emergency signals), and crew members are trained on how to access and use the equipment.
context Follow requirements and guidelines on vessel stability, including ensuring the crew is trained on and has access to relevant information and having stability assessments performed when required.

What should be done for fall protection when working at heights?

Falling overboard is a serious hazard. In addition, there are times when a person has to work suspended above the deck (aloft). When working on deck or aloft take the following precautions:

administrative Develop and implement a fall protection program and train workers.
requirement Use a lifeline when working aloft or when on deck during adverse weather conditions.
requirement Use a lifeline and safety belt when trap fishing.
requirement Wear fall protection if a person could fall about 3 metres (10 feet). Check with your jurisdiction for exact requirements.
requirement Make sure that no other gear you may be wearing will interfere with the self-inflating mechanism of the PFD.
requirement Make sure that the radar is turned off before you go aloft to avoid radiation exposure and prevent injury from a rotating scanner. Put a "Do Not Operate Radar - Persons Working Aloft" sign on the radar control panel to alert others that someone is working aloft.
requirement Attach safety lanyards to all tools and parts (e.g., secure your hammer to your wrist) to prevent items from dropping and injuring those below. Raise or lower your tools by using rigging and placing the tools in a safe container.
requirement Use a bosun's chair or similar device (a device with a rigid seat attached to a rope used to suspend a person to perform work) with appropriate safety harness and fall arresting gear. See the CCOHS Factsheets on fall protection for more information.

What are some general safe work practices to know?

All workers should:

administrative Follow safe work procedures.
administrative Follow emergency and first aid procedures.
ppe Know when and how to use personal protective equipment (PPE).
administrative Know how to report a hazard.
requirement Know about WHMIS and Safety Data Sheets (SDSs).
administrative Follow good housekeeping procedures.