Fishing Risks: By Gear Type
Longline & Trap
Watch a VIDEO of these gear types in action.
Longline
Trap
Check out the injury statistics for Longline & Trap
Check out the Longline & Trap Safety Best Practices
Most common injuries (per WorkSafeBC worker claims 2015-2019)
Injury due to vessel and fishing gear movement, often in rough weather result in falls and impact from gear leading to broken bones and other serious strains leading to immobility.
Example: Worker was stacking crab traps when the boat pitched in the water and a 150 lb trap fell about 8 feet and struck and broke the worker’s leg.
Example: Hauling fish into the boat, there were 3 meter waves at sea. A big wave hit the side of the boat and the worker was thrown against the aluminum siding of the cockpit resulting in a serious shoulder strain leading to immobility.
Solution: Working in rough weather is inevitable. Secure fishing gear, totes, and other equipment to prevent unexpected movement. Be sure to check the deck is kept clear of tripping hazards as much as possible. Ensure crew wear non-slip footwear.
Check out WorkSafeBC’s handbook ‘Preventing Slips, Trips, and Falls in the Workplace’
Injury due to repetitive motion caused by pulling traps and fish out of the water and stacking traps lead to serious strains and immobility. Repetitive gutting, cleaning, and icing of fish leading to carpel tunnel syndrome and tendinitis.
Example: Repetitive setting and pulling the line, removing halibut from the line, cleaning, and icing halibut lead to tendinitis in the hands and wrist.
Solution: Repetitive movement while fishing is inevitable. Skippers discuss and demonstrate proper lifting procedures with crew. Whenever possible, try to rotate crew between different tasks. Sound ergonomics can help prevent many injuries.
Injury due to being struck, cut or punctured by an object, often involving knives, powered hand tools, hooks, and fish spines. Injuries due to falling stacked traps and boxes are also common.
Example: Unloading prawns from traps, some of the prawn spines punctured through the worker’s rubber gloves and into hands. Received approximately 40 wounds from the spines.
Example: Working at sea when a 30 lb box of frozen bait dropped from 3-5 feet high onto the worker’s thumb.
Solution: Wearing puncture-resistant gloves can provide necessary mobility while preventing knife cuts and fish spine punctures. Skippers, ensure workers receive proper instruction on the safe use of powered hand tools and provide a demonstration of safe work practice. Don’t leave this to trial and error! Secure fishing gear, boxes, totes, and other equipment to prevent unexpected movement.