Pillars of the Sea 3: Project implementing part of the SSDC Work Programme roadmap towards socially sustainable fishing
Grant Agreement Project 101051878
External contractor: Development of a training programme for the medical examination of fishers
Background
Sea fishing is a remote and challenging professional activity. The International Maritime Organization Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Fishing Vessel Personnel, 1995 (IMO STCW-F) and the International Labour Organization Convention Work in Fishing (ILO C188) are the most relevant instruments in regard to working conditions and occupational health of fishers. According to article 10 of the ILO C188, no fisherman shall work on board a fishing vessel without a valid medical certificate. However, in contrast with merchant seafarers who are covered by the joint ILO/IMO guidelines on medical examination, no specific guidelines for the medical examination of fishers existed.
Therefore, in the previous project ‘Pillars of the Sea 2: Project implementing part of the SSDC Work Programme’ (VS/2019/0013), the Social Partners for Sea Fisheries have together with the International Maritime Health Association (IMHA) developed appropriate criteria for the medical fitness for fishers within the EU to harmonise the existing systems of medical examinations of fishers within the Member States.
These Guidelines, published in 20211 , also suggest additional requirements in the competences of the medical practitioners to contribute towards the harmonisation of standards for the medical examinations of fishers and to improve the quality and effectiveness of the health care provided for fishers. There is evidence that fishers often operate under stressful working conditions, long workhours, lack of good sleep, unhealthy diet, and lack of physical exercises, that contributes to fatigue, impaired well-being, mental ill-health, stress, and chronic diseases. As the medical practitioners may not be trained in health and safety prevention in fishing, it is recommended that the competent authorities develop a training programme to comply with the requirements, as evidently the competency of authorised medical practitioners is of crucial importance to the fishing industry.
Such requirements include initial training when first authorised and continuing training in the specific occupational health risk for fishers and the notification of diseases and injuries that may be identified as part of the medical examination to ensure ongoing knowledge and competency.
As a continuation of the guidelines on examination, the Social Partners aim to develop this training programme for authorised medical practitioners performing the medical examination of fishers and issuing medical certificates. It is essential that training can be given via guidance which fit the specificities of sea fishers. The medical practitioners should be experienced in general and occupational medicine, and in the fisher’s occupational health risks and prevention. Additionally, they should have knowledge of the living and working conditions on board fishing vessels, the job demands on board and in the harbour, such as unloading the catch and work in port in so far they relate to the effects of health. Their competency is of crucial importance to the fishing industry as authorised medical practitioners who perform medical examinations of fishers may also perform occupational health examinations.
Download Doc
