Focus on fish-farm safety

The aim was to remind farm operators of good practice and give them a chance to get together and share their experiences. Instructors and other experts from a range of organisations presented practical demonstrations on how to avoid the most common causes of accidents and ill-health activities.

The event, held at the Northern Lighthouse Board (NLB), was jointly organised – via the Scottish Aquaculture Industry Forum – by HSE, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), the NLB, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and the Underwater Centre at Fort William.

 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.”

She claimed that she was extremely encouraged by the uptake for the event, which demonstrated the industry's real desire to protect its workforce and improve standards. “I hope that this new joint initiative will become a regular occurrence," Poyner said.

William Forsyth of MCA added that he was confident that this pilot initiative would make a contribution to improving maritime safety within the aquaculture industry. Since September 2007 the Marine Accident Investigation Branch, has started three investigations into accidents in which six seafarers have died in enclosed or confined spaces.