Safety Encouraged for Start of Lobster Season

Lobster fishermen in southwestern Nova Scotia are urged to practise safety as they launch their fishing season on Monday, Nov. 27, known as Dumping Day.

“Fishing is a proud, vibrant industry at the very core of our heritage, but it’s also one of the most dangerous occupations in the province,” said Labi Kousoulis, Minister of Labour and Advanced Education. “I am hopeful that our fishermen have a successful season, but more importantly, that they return home safely to their families.”

On Dumping Day, captains and their crews head out to sea before daylight with boats piled high with lobster traps. These heavy traps can be an issue in choppy waters. Fishermen are urged to monitor the weather before heading out to sea, regularly examine safety gear, wear their personal flotation devices and be prepared in the event of an emergency.

“Fishermen have led the charge to improve safety across the industry. I commend them for their ongoing commitment,” said Stuart McLean, CEO, Workers’ Compensation Board of Nova Scotia. “We need to continue making safety part of every conversation and we need to continue our efforts to eliminate injury and death on the job.”

Improvements to safety in the fishing industry have resulted in their lowest Workers' Compensation Board employer rate since 1991 and a substantial decrease in days lost due to injuries.

Industry and government developed the Fishing Safety Now plan to make the commercial fishing industry safer. To learn more, go to http://www.workplacesafetystrategy.ca/Home/Fishing-Safety.

The need to reduce workplace death and injuries in industries like fishing is a key part of Nova Scotia's Workplace Safety Strategy. To learn more about the strategy visit www.worksafeforlife.ca.