Blog Post #1486 – Risk Management Insufficient

Report from the OH&S Canada magazine (January 2017)

A report from the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) has concluded that ineffective risk management led to the death of a crew member of a fishing vessel in 2015.

According to the report, published on January 19, 2017, a deckhand fell overboard while trying to free a lobster trap caught on a port guardrail with his feet on November 30, 2015. The crew managed to recover the victim, who was later pronounced dead.

The TSB investigation determined that the crew members had been insufficiently prepared for such an emergency. They had tried to save the deckhand with the trap hauler, as the boat’s overhead block was stowed away, and 10 minutes passed before the crew decided to lower the overhead block.

“If fishing vessel operations do not have a system for onboard risk management such as safety or toolbox meetings, there is a risk that crew members will not mitigate onboard hazards effectively,” the TSB says in the report, which recommends regular emergency-response drill for fishing crews.

My opinion

Risk management is something that any workplace should complete, on an ongoing basis to determine the safest application which completing work duties. In other words, all potential or actual hazards need to be identified, assessed and place proper controls in place to protect the worker. This is something that is part of any Joint Health and Safety (JHSC) or “Competency” training legislated in most jurisdictions.

HRS Group Inc. has a great team that can help you with all your health and safety needs including ‘Due Diligence’.

Contact Deborah toll free at 1-877-907-7744 or locally at 705-749-1259.

We can also be reached at 

Ensure your workplace is a safe place.

Remember – In Canada, “ALL Accidents are Preventable”

‘Work’ and ‘Play’ safe.

Daniel L. Beal

CHSEP – Advanced Level
CEO & Senior Trainer
HRS Group Inc.