Fishing Safety

Commercial Fishing Safety

Illustration of orange fishing boat

Commercial fishing is a vital industry that provides food for people in the U.S. and around the world. In Oregon and Washington, there are 10,364 commercial fishing vessels with $835,670 dollars in sales per year. Commercial fishing can be physically demanding, involving long hours, harsh weather, and changing work environments. All of these factors can create safety risks for fishermen. PNASH collaborates with Oregon State University to engage commercial fishermen to reduce the risk of injury and keep them fishing.

Our current project is the Fishermen Led Injury Prevention Program (FLIPP) for Lifejackets Mobile Program. See below to view our other research and resources to improve safety in commercial fishing.

Commercial Fishermen’s First-Aid Kit

Every vessel must have a first-aid kit, and every fisherman should know what should go into a kit that will really help in situations they might find themselves in at sea. These resources were developed by the Fishermen Led Injury Prevention Program (FLIPP) led by Oregon State University.

Commercial Fishing Crew Agreements

Commercial fishermen think a good crew agreement can help reduce the risk of injuries and establish a positive relationship among the crew. Understand what goes into a good crew agreement and use the template (either paper version or an online version) to help you get this in place with your crews. These resources were developed by the Fishermen Lead Injury Prevention Program (FLIPP) led by Oregon State University.

Regional and National Resources

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National

NIOSH
Washington Sea Grant logo

Washington

Sea Grant
Oregon Sea Grant logo

Oregon

Sea Grant
Oregon State University logo with orange background, beaver, sun, tree, book, and mountains with 1868 overlaid.

Oregon

OSU

PNASH Resources

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FLIPP First Aid Kit List

This is a list of items that is needed in a comprehensive first aid kit, recommended by safety professionals.

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FLIPP Guide to Building a First Aid Kit

This guide helps create first aid kit that suite specific needs and situations which may arise while out at sea. 

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Fishing Hazard Sheet

This resource helps fishermen assess and control tasks with potential hazards through elimination, substitution, or use of provide personal protective equipment.

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PNASH Research

Non-Fatal Injuries among Commercial Fishing Workers in Alaska, Washington, and Oregon

PNASH Pilot Project 2014-2015 | Laurel Kincl, PhD, MS

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Total Worker Health in Salmon Fishermen from Cordova, Alaska

PNASH Pilot Project 2014-2015 | Debra Cherry, MD, MS

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Development of a Surveillance Strategy to Guide Injury Prevention Efforts in the Washington Commercial Fishing Industry

WA State MAAF 2011-2013 | June Spector, MD, MPH

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