Marine Planned Inspectional Initiative
The Marine Planned Inspectional Initiative was developed to address the high number of serious injuries and work-related deaths in the commercial fishing industry, and also expands into other marine industries. Commercial fishing continues to have one of the highest fatality rates, per capita, of all industries in B.C. The initiative now considers the risks that drive both the serious injury rate and the time-loss claims rate in these industries.
- Our goals
- Our focus
- What you can do
Marine inspections will occur both at sea and dockside. At-sea inspections are the priority and provide maximum value since officers are able to observe active work and engage with crews directly in the review of potentially high-risk activities.
Our goals
The goal of the Marine Planned Inspectional Initiative is to reduce both the number of work-related deaths and the time-loss claims rate in the fishing industry.
Our focus
2024 inspectional approach
For 2024 inspections, prevention officers will take a risk-based approach to ensure that the most significant risks are effectively managed. This approach involves workers and employers identifying hazards, evaluating risks, and implementing the appropriate controls specific to the on-site activities. In addition, it focuses on employers ensuring these efforts are effectively communicated to workers and monitored through foundational occupational health and safety systems such as new and young worker orientations, training, supervision, incident investigations, worksite inspections, and (where applicable) joint health and safety committees that are effective, robust, and well supported.
Inspections will focus on:
- Reducing the risk of drowning by focusing on:
- PFD use (including maintenance, use, and training)
- Vessel stability (including on-board documentation that describes vessel characteristics and considerations that are relevant to the vessel and to worker safety)
- Safe work procedures and emergency response plans
- Reducing the risk of slips, trips, and falls
What you can do
Our Fishing & other marine pages provide resources and information on how to understand and address some of the health and safety issues to focus on in your industry.