The Loading and Unloading of Fishing Vessels Regulations 1988

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations impose health and safety requirements with respect to fish loading processes, that is to say, the loading, unloading, moving or handling of wet fish at or near a quay or on a fishing vessel when moored at the quay, and incidental activities. For this purpose the handling of wet fish does not include tinning, freezing solid in blocks, curing, freeze-drying or other means of processing.

The Regulations:—

(a) impose requirements with respect to the provision and maintenance of a safe place of work and means of access (regulation 5(1) and (2));

(b) require fencing at specified places (regulation 5(3));

(c) require the provision of suitable and adequate lighting (regulation 5(4));

(d) require the provision of rescue, life-saving and fire-fighting equipment and means to effect escape from danger, and require the proper maintenance thereof (regulation 5(5));

(e) require fish loading processes to be planned and executed to avoid danger, and require safe plant and equipment to be provided and maintained (regulation 6). The Regulations provide for the issue of certificates of exemption by the Health and Safety Executive (regulation 7) and provide for enforcement by the Executive of the Regulations and sections 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 in relation to fish loading processes.