Merchant Shipping Act, 1951 (Act No. 57 of 1951)

Schedules

Eighth Schedule

Work In Fishing Convention, 2007

Medical Care, Health Protection and Social Security

Part VI

Occupational Safety and Health and Accident Prevention

Article 32

Purchase

1.	The requirements of this Article shall apply to fishing vessels of 24 metres in length and over normally remaining at sea for more than three days and, after consultation, to other vessels, taking into account the number of fishers on board, the area of operation, and the duration of the voyage.

2.	The competent authority shall:

(a)

after consultation, require that the fishing vessel owner, in accordance with national laws, regulations, collective bargaining agreements and practice, establish on-board procedures for the prevention of occupational accidents, injuries and diseases, taking into account the specific hazards and risks on the fishing vessel concerned; and

(b)	require that fishing vessel owners, skippers, fishers and other relevant persons be provided with sufficient and suitable guidance, training material, or other appropriate information on how to evaluate and manage risks to safety and health on board fishing vessels.

3.	Fishing vessel owners shall:

(a)	ensure that every fisher on board is provided with appropriate personal protective clothing and equipment;

(b)	ensure that every fisher on board has received basic safety training approved by the competent authority; the competent authority may grant written exemptions from this requirement for fishers who have demonstrated equivalent knowledge and experience; and

(c)	ensure that fishers are sufficiently and reasonably familiarized with equipment and its methods of operation, including relevant safety measures, prior to using the equipment or participating in the operations concerned.