Commercial fishing is one of the most dangerous industrial activities, said IRSST. Working on lobster boats buffeted by the waves, fishers handle heavy traps and long lengths of rope on slippery and unstable surfaces; conditions that can lead to falls overboard. These falls occur each fishing season, usually with serious, or even fatal, consequences.
In recent years, two deaths have occurred in Quebec during lobster fishing activities. In general, the reported causes of overboard falls are loss of balance and being dragged by fishing gear.
Conducted over a period of one year, the researchers analyzed the responses to questionnaires given to captains and deckhands along the Gaspé peninsula and on the Magdalen Islands. They also made direct observations and shot video on seven vessels during 20 outings at sea.
The researchers documented six of the riskiest working situations. Three of them are associated with the season’s opening: loading the traps, dropping the traps in the water and moving the boat from the wharf to the fishing area; and three others during the regular fishing season: hauling up the traps, setting them back in the water and moving the lines of traps.
They then analyzed and classified the risk factors into four major categories: rope management and work methods; weather and fishery management regulations; workers (attitudes and experience); and the layout of the boat, the wharf and equipment.
A key solution for preventing overboard falls is transferring the knowledge gained from the research to assist workers, such as raising awareness, boosting training and transferring the safety tips of experienced fishers to novices, found the study.
Another solution is to rethink how the hauler and the support table for the traps are set up.
The study can be downloaded here: http://www.irsst.qc.ca/en/-irsst-publication-falls-crew-members-quebec-lobster-boats-risk-prevention-r-869.html.
In recent years, two deaths have occurred in Quebec during lobster fishing activities. In general, the reported causes of overboard falls are loss of balance and being dragged by fishing gear.
Conducted over a period of one year, the researchers analyzed the responses to questionnaires given to captains and deckhands along the Gaspé peninsula and on the Magdalen Islands. They also made direct observations and shot video on seven vessels during 20 outings at sea.
The researchers documented six of the riskiest working situations. Three of them are associated with the season’s opening: loading the traps, dropping the traps in the water and moving the boat from the wharf to the fishing area; and three others during the regular fishing season: hauling up the traps, setting them back in the water and moving the lines of traps.
They then analyzed and classified the risk factors into four major categories: rope management and work methods; weather and fishery management regulations; workers (attitudes and experience); and the layout of the boat, the wharf and equipment.
A key solution for preventing overboard falls is transferring the knowledge gained from the research to assist workers, such as raising awareness, boosting training and transferring the safety tips of experienced fishers to novices, found the study.
Another solution is to rethink how the hauler and the support table for the traps are set up.
The study can be downloaded here: http://www.irsst.qc.ca/en/-irsst-publication-falls-crew-members-quebec-lobster-boats-risk-prevention-r-869.html.
