West coast fish farmers to receive safety advice

Date:

17 August 2011

Release No:

SCO/072/11

Scottish fish and shellfish farmers are being encouraged to attend a special aquaculture and maritime safety event in Oban on 6 September.

The free event aims to remind those working in aquaculture of good practice through practical demonstrations and will enable them to identify common workplace hazards and precautions. It follows the success of four similar events, the last held in Kishorn in September 2010 and will provide an opportunity for the industry to get together and share their experiences.

It will take place at Northern Lighthouse Board, Gallanach Road, Oban and will begin with registration at 10.00am.

The event is being organised by members of the Scottish Aquaculture Industry Forum, which includes the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), the Northern Lighthouse Board, RNLI, and the Scottish Salmon Company. The Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation (SSPO) and the Crown Estate are providing support and financial assistance.

Qualified instructors and experienced personnel from the industry will present practical demonstrations on how to avoid the most common causes of accidents and ill health arising in aquaculture and other marine activities, such as:

• Fork lift truck/ transport operations
• Manual handling
• Chemical handling
• Working in confined spaces
• Lifejackets
• Life rafts and flares
• Cold shock

Working in the marine environment is a dangerous occupation. In the last decade HSE has investigated four cases of drowning in the fish farming sector. And last month, a company was fined £600,000 after two fish farm workers died as a result of working in confined spaces.

HSE Inspector Ann Poyner said:

"Aquaculture is an important industry in Scotland and one that we can be very proud of; however we must not forget that the marine environment is dangerous and unforgiving.

"The excellent attendance at previous events demonstrates the industry's real desire to protect its workforce and improve standards."

WiIlliam Forsyth from the MCA added:

"We are delighted to work with HSE and others to deliver an event that is critical to minimising the risk for all those who work in the aquaculture sector and I would encourage everyone involved in the industry to attend."

Notes to editors

1. The event will be held at Northern Lighthouse Board, Gallanach Road, Oban PA34 4LS on Tuesday 6 September. Media are invited to attend, please contact Dawn Tudge on 0131 244 9060 for more details.
2. The Health and Safety Executive is Britain's national regulator for workplace health and safety. It aims to reduce work-related death, injury and ill health. It does so through research, information and advice; promoting training; new or revised regulations and codes of practice; and working with local authority partners by inspection, investigation and enforcement. www.hse.gov.uk
3. The Scottish Aquaculture Industry Forum is a liaison group whose members include fish farming businesses, the Health and Safety Executive, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, Northern Lighthouse Board, The Crown Estate, the Scottish Government and SEPA.
4. Health and safety law applies to all businesses whatever their size. The Health and safety made simple web-based guidance, developed by HSE and business organisations, aims to help low risk small and medium-sized enterprises get the basics right without getting tied up in unnecessary red tape. www.hse.gov.uk/simple-health-safety

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