Provincial government is investing $1 million in hopes of making industry safer, more competitive and attractive to young workers
This initiative will be carried out in collaboration with the fishing industry and Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission (WHSCC) with the intent to make these safety organizations self-sustaining within the next three years.
"These organizations will help to improve safety in one of the most dangerous industries in the world," said Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Clyde Jackman. "Our goal is a fishing industry that is as safe as it can possibly be. We all need to be doing everything we can to ensure that fish harvesters are coming home to their families and that plant workers have a safe work environment."
There have been 42 deaths related to the fishing industry since 1999 and 77 vessels have been lost at sea. The lost-time incident rate in the fish harvesting sector is 26 per cent higher than the provincial rate and has risen for the last three years. The lost-time incident rate in the fish processing sector is 63 per cent higher than the provincial rate.
"The formation of the safety association and safety sector council is an important step forward," said Jackman. "They will also assist in making the industry more competitive and attractive to younger workers."
The provincial government has been working closely with the WHSCC and other partners to address the important issue of fishing industry workplace health and safety. Recently, a number of projects to improve health and safety have been carried out, including safety workshops, development of an e-simulator for vessel stability training and most recently the release of the fishing industry safety video entitled Getting Back Home.
