fishing risks

Slips, Trips & Falls

It may be tempting to think that in fishing little can be done to limit the risk of slipping and falling on a fishing vessel – or that everything that can be done is already being done. 

And yet, in many of our BC-based fisheries, upwards of 25% of all time-loss claims can be attributed to slipping, tripping and falling – so examining this root cause merits consideration.

For this reason, the downloadable WorkSafeBC publication Preventing Slips, Trips, and Falls in the Workplace, provided here, may be useful to many operators.

Undoubtedly, comparing land-based operations with vessel-based operations is in some respects apples and oranges.  But sometimes our own skepticism is our biggest enemy.

When approached with an open mind, many of the concepts discussed in this publication can be applied in fishing vessel environments. 

Whether it be by reminders, new concepts or simply seeing things from a slightly different perspective this publication can help vessel owners and vessel masters more effectively manage slip, trip and fall risks while fishing.