Injuries at Sea

Moving platforms, sharp objects, slippery surfaces all seem like an accident waiting to happen. So how
do we manage to keep injuries at bay? Safety procedures, training and good housekeeping are seen as
keys to preventing injuries on a fishing vessel. Fishermen share their safety tips (with permission from
WorkSafeBC Gearing up for Safety)
Safety Tips
Dive
Make sure flags (Dive and Alpha) are hoisted and visible
Use oversize anchor and chain for diving operations
Always check diver's reserve and ensure diver can turn it on
Gillnet
Have are re-boarding plan if you are working alone
Avoid travelling at night if possible
Be aware of the consequences of fatigue
Longline
Pay attention to weather forecasts
No loose ends! Keep all lines coiled and secured, including unused lengths
Mark longline gear with coloured tape or twine to indicate when you are coming to the end of a string or
near the anchor
Minimize muscle strains - keep wrists straight when working, especially when dressing and scraping fish.
Take breaks to stretch wrists, back and other stressed muscles.
Packing
Check all valves, hatches, strongbacks, rigging and winch cables
Load tanks to optimize stability
Use standard hand signals when offloading and ensure boat crew and unloading vessel are
communicating
Don't overload the brailers or tubs

Seine
Make sure you have a procedure in place to release a set in case of an emergency
Don't bury the tow strap when drumming in the net
Make sure all crew know how to shut off the hydraulics in an emergency
Always wake up the skipper if unsure of anything while on the watch
Use colour coded controls
Close water tight doors and port holes when drying up
Don't leave heavy weights suspended from booms. Strap seine to cleat on deck to reduce the weight on
the boom
Trap
Keep hauler sheaves in good shape to avoid violent slipping, especially while coiling down
Avoid pre-building too many traps in rough weather as they can launch themselves from a rolling boat
Keep trap line bit tidy
Use your legs when lifting traps
Keep knives handy at all fishing stations
Otter Trawl
Make sure all crew are aware of danger zone when handling gear: davits, door pinch points, trawl winch
and warps
Watch out for each other and remind each other to wear Pfds and hard hats at all times on deck
Avoid voice commands. Develop hand signals for the operation of all winches and ensure crew is
familiar with them all
Keep all access doors closed and dogs secure
Re-secure deck scuttles/manhole covers after opening to put fish down
Be aware of the potential of breaking gear if the net hangs up-keep deck area clear at critical points
Troll
When fishing alone-always take the boat out of gear when transferring stations-cockpit to wheelhouse,
etc.

Feather direction valve on troll gurdies to ensure proper direction of gurdie

Take a moment every hour to stretch forearms and wrists to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome
Wear protective glasses while pulling trolling gear in case lures "spit" back
Increase vessel visibility by placing small amounts of reflective tape all around the boat, especially on
the ends of the trolling poles

How are we doing?

Injury Statistics (from WCB claim reports)

These categories are the classification units that WorkSafeBC uses to record claims.

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