Amendments Introduced to Enhance Health and Safety on Commercial Fishing Vessels
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The provincial government has introduced amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Act to enhance health and safety on fishing vessels.
The amendments would include fishing vessels as a place of employment and require the mandatory wearing of safety devices such as life jackets or personal flotation devices for fishers while working.
The amendments include: adding fishing vessels to the definition of place of employment; adding a definition of what constitutes a fishing vessel; distinguishing the requirements for life jacket and personal flotation devices on fishing vessels from construction requirements; and requiring the constant use of a life jacket or other personal flotation device for fishers/employees while on board a fishing vessel that does not have a deck or a deck structure.
The amendments would come into effect on June 1, 2024, to allow time for the industry to comply with the new requirements.