Safety & Training
Building safer workplaces for commercial fishers
Commercial fishing requires people to head out to sea in a variety of weather and sea conditions. However, thanks to years of enhanced regulation, proactive safety management and comprehensive training, the industry has made significant strides in improving workplace safety.
Today, safety is the foremost priority for vessel owners and skippers. Ongoing, practical training is essential to fostering a culture of safety and ensuring that every crew member is equipped to respond effectively in any situation.
To support this, WAFIC has a dedicated safety and training resource focused on monitoring developments, sharing best practices and keeping members informed.
Read on and learn of all the information available to you to improve the safety levels on your vessel and return home safely.
Strengthening safety through collaboration
WAFIC works closely with key stakeholders, including government agencies, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) and WorkSafe WA to ensure that safety standards continue to evolve and improve.
Each month, WAFIC distributes a targeted ‘safety update’ to commercial fishers across Western Australia to help guide you:
- Develop, maintain and improve safe systems of work aboard your vessel and in associated workplaces
- Stay informed about current marine and workplace safety regulations, trends and marine incidents
- Provide input to changes proposed by government in safety and training requirements that may affect your fishing operation, and
- Access the latest safety and training news relevant to the fishing sector.
Understanding the Difference – Workplace Safety vs Marine Safety
Western Australian fishers are covered by two separate pieces of legislation for matters safety and training.
Workplace Safety involves how vessel owners, skippers, and crew manage health and safety onboard, including the implementation of safety management systems, regular training, safety drills, emergency procedures and employee welfare in the workplace. (Note: A fishing vessel is legally considered a workplace.)
You’ll find more information at: WorkSafe WA
Marine Safety covers vessel construction, survey specifications, certification of crew (skippers and engineers), life-saving equipment, communication systems, navigation, and emergency protocols.
You’ll find more information at the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA):
- AMSA Connect: 1800 627 484 (Mon–Fri, 8am–5pm)
- AMSA website
- Email: [email protected]
- AMSA Facebook
Developing a Safety Management System (SMS)
A well-developed Safety Management System (SMS) is central to maintaining safety onboard.
It is a mandatory requirement in both pieces of legislation and it outlines procedures to ensure crew members are trained, informed, and prepared for emergencies.
1. Create and maintain an SMS
All commercial fishing vessels, including those under AMSA’s ‘grandfathered’ arrangements, are legally required to have an SMS tailored to their specific vessels operations.
Learn more here:
2. Conduct Regular Emergency Drills
Emergency procedures must not only be in your SMS but practiced regularly – at least every three months or whenever a new crew member joins. These drills should be logged in the vessel’s logbook to ensure accountability and preparedness for inspections by authorities.
3. Ensure Electrical Safety
Residual Current Devices (RCDs) are mandatory life-saving switches that protect against electrocution. Regular inspections are carried marine authorities or by the State’s energy safety regulator.
4. Prepare Cyclone Contingency Plans
Operators working in cyclone-prone areas must have robust contingency plans in place for cyclone events to safeguard crew, vessels, and operations.