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The safe fisherman

Information on health, environment and safety for those who work on board fishing vessels.

Working environment on board

Work and off-duty time on board shall be arranged and organized so that the safety of the workers is ensured.

Read more about the working environment and requirements concerning ergonomics, noise, vibrations, etc.

Safety training

All fishermen on commercial fishing or hunting vessels are required to have completed a minimum of 40 hours of basic safety training incl. introduction to risk factors, first aid, sea rescue, fire protection, smoke diving, and protective and environmental work.

Find a list of schools/course centers offering approved safety training for fishermen here.

Certificates for navigators

Qualification requirements for the crew.

Requirements for training, certification and watchkeeping for seafarers shall be in accordance with the STCW convention (The International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers).

Risk assessment

All commercial fishermen are required to identify hazards on board and assess the level of risk they might pose on people, environment and equipment. Measures must be taken to remove or reduce this risk. This work must be documented.

Here you will find more information on risk assessment, as well as help tools in the form of word-templates and a tailored data base for risk assessment in the fishing industry.

Forming attitudes

In order to get a good climate for cooperation, job satisfaction and safe conduct on board, attitudes must be formed resulting in wanted behavior.

Attitudes and behavior are strongly influenced by environment and surroundings. Leaders must be conscious of the fact that they are role models for health, environment and safety, and must through action demonstrate that they give priority to HES on board. Here you will find more information about for instance the work to form attitudes, safety culture and safety work.

Safety representatives

Dedicated safety representatives are important ambassadors for the safety input and they contribute to influencing attitudes and wanted behavior. Safety representatives shall, together with the affected parties, be involved in the development of procedures and instructions, take part in safety rounds and in making decisions for instance regarding purchase of protective equipment.