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Fishing Vessel Safety Designates

In this section, you can read about the importance of having a Fishing Vessel Safety Designate, find resources relevant to safety designate duties, and learn how to become the safety designate on your vessel!

What is a Fishing Vessel Safety Designate?

A Fishing Vessel Safety Designate is someone in your crew who is responsible for monitoring the health, safety, and welfare of the people employed in their workplace. In other types of workplaces, this role may be referred to as the Work Health & Safety Designate, or there may be a safety committee.

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Did you know?

The provincial government requires Owner/Operators with less than six workers employed on their fishing vessel, to identify a Workplace Health and Safety Designate.

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Why is the role of Fishing Vessel Safety Designate important?

Being a Fishing Vessel Safety Designate (FVSD) is more than just a title. We all have an obligation to safety no matter our title, but it is the responsibility of the FVSD to address safety concerns, take part in inspections, promote health & safety programs, monitor OH&S activity, and more. The name of the FVSD is posted in a prominent place at the workplace so fellow crewmembers know who to come to with safety concerns.

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Did you know?

The Fishing Vessel Safety Designate can be the Owner/Operator or a crewmember.

How to Become a Fishing Vessel Safety Designate

The Newfoundland and Labrador Fish Harvesting Safety Association has collaborated with WorkplaceNL to build a free online training program for fish harvesters in Newfoundland and Labrador. It currently consists of 11 modules, and approximately 6 hours of content. Upon completing the program, users will receive a certificate from WorkplaceNL for passing the Fishing Vessel Safety Designate course. The NL-FHSA anticipates the official launch of the Fishing Vessel Safety Program to be announced before the end of 2023. Stay tuned!

Why should you take the Fishing Vessel Safety Designate training program?

There are many reasons why fish harvesters should be interested in taking our training!

  • Safety training is beneficial to everyone, regardless of if they are the designate on their vessel
     

  • The training is specific to fish harvesters in Newfoundland and Labrador
     

  • The training is relevant to fishing vessels of all sizes
     

  • The training is relevant to crews of all sizes
     

  • The training is relevant to both inshore and offshore fishing
     

  • Fishing enterprises are required to have a safety designate, safety representative, or safety committee 
     

  • Fishing enterprises are required to meet certain safety requirements by the Canada Shipping Act
     

  • The training has been approved by WorkplaceNL according to the Occupational Health & Safety Legislation
     

  • Completing the training will award you 5 land-based education credits with the PFHCB
     

  • It's free!

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