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TRANSCRIPT
REPORTOFPRELIMINARYFINDINGS
ExploringthecontextofbestpracticeinWHSinthefishingindustry
February2016
PreparedbyAlexandraThomas
IndependentResearcher,DirectorandPrincipalWorkHealth,SafetyandTrainingConsultant,AlexThomasPty.Ltd.
Introduction
Overthelasttwentyyears,theSouthAustralianfishingindustryhasforgedareputationasaprevailingstrengthdespiteachallengingeconomicclimate.Heavilydominatedbysmallfamilyownedbusinesses,theindustryisdividedintoamyriadofdifferentmarinecommodities,extractingproduceacrosshundredsofnauticalmilesandprocessingitinremotelandbasedfacilitiesdottedalongaruggedandunforgivingcoastline.Whilefirstgenerationimmigrantsformasignificantpartoftheindustrydemographic–theculture,comraderyandsenseofcommunityisaproudandtruereflectionofthe‘Aussiebattler’mentality.
However,notalliswellintheindustry.Sadly,inthe2012–2013year,theagriculture,forestryandfisheriesindustryindicatedasubstantiallyhigherinjuryandfatalityratethananyotherindustrynation-wide1.Ofthefishingrelatedincidentsreportedinthe2012–2013year,seriousinjuriesandfatalitiesinthefishingindustryincludedthecrushingofaneighteenyearoldworker’skneebetweenafreezerplateandahydraulicram,andthedeathoftwosharkfishermenaftertheirvesselsankintheGulfofStVincent.Furthermore,areportwrittenin2011byindependentresearcherKateBrooks2onbehalfoftheRuralIndustriesResearchandDevelopmentCorporationconcludedthatforanumberofreasons,thesestatisticsarerepresentativeofonly18%ofthefishingindustry’sparticipants–whichsuggeststhepotentialthattherearemanyotherseriousinjuriesunaccountedfor.
Inadditiontothechallengesassociatedwithreducingthenumberofseriousinjuriesandfatalities,theindustryisalsoimpactedby:
• anincreaseinrequiredinputversusadecreaseinreturn;• additionalrisksassociatedwithupsizinginordertosustaincommercialviability;• unprecedentedseasonalvariations;• aseverelackofavailable,skilledlabourtosupportindividualbusinesses;• fluctuatingmarketconditions;• therisingpriceoffuel,and;• perceivedoverregulation.
Althoughaseeminglycomplexstateofaffairs,overseasentitiesimplythatthereisacriticallinkbetweentheprofitabilityofthefishingindustry,andmaintainingapositive,proactiveworkhealthandsafetyculture.WhilemostsectorsoftheSouthAustralianfishingindustryhaveacknowledgedtheneedtoaddresscompliancewithworkhealthandsafety(WHS)legislation(whichislargelydrivenbyfearofprosecution),theSouthernRocklobsterLimited’s‘CleanGreenProgram’3istheonlyknownSouthAustralianexampletohavefurtherexploredthislink.
Furthermore,emergingevidencetosupportthecorrelationbetweenareductioninseriousinjuriesandfatalitiesandfishingindustryprofitabilityhasformedabasisforfurtherresearch,andavisiontoenableafishingindustrydriven,collaborativeapproachtowardsfosteringapositive,proactiveWHSculture.
Thisvisionisunderpinnedbythefollowingobjectives:
• toreducethenegativestigmaassociatedwithWHSbyidentifyingpractical,bestpracticesolutions;• toraiseawarenessamongstthefishingindustryandthebroadercommunityregardingWHS;• toengageruralwomenasanagentforculturechange,and;• toidentifywhetherthereisacapacitytoacceleratechangebasedontheknowncontextoftheindustryatpresent.
Findingsarisingfromthesuccessfulexecutionoftheresearchhavethepotentialtopromotethefollowing:
• adecreaseinthedirectcosttoindividualindustryassociationsandbusinessesasaresultofworkingcollaboratively;• improvedcompliancewithWHSlegislation;• aproactive,positivesafeworkculture,and;• apotentialreductioninthenumberofseriousinjuriesandfatalitiesthroughouttheindustry.
1. ThecurrentcontextofWHSintheSouthAustralianfishingindustry
ThestartingpointofthisresearchislargelyattributedtoinsightsandobservationsdrawnfrommypracticeasaWHSandtrainingconsultant.BasedontheLowerEyrePeninsulaintheself-professed‘SeafoodCapitalofAustralia’(PortLincoln),Ihaveworkedwithacrosssectionofinexcessofthirty-fivesmall,mediumandlargeSouthAustralianfishingbusinessesfromthewildcatch,aquacultureandseafoodsectors,fromJune2013topresent.
Withastrongemphasisonencouragingopen,two-waydialoguewithallofmyclients,methodsfortheextractionofinformationfromtheSouthAustralianfishingindustryinlieuofbenchmarkingmyperceptionoftheWHSculturehaveincluded:
• Formalandinformalconversationswithbusinessowners,directors,managers,supervisors,shopfloorworkersandthecommunity;
• ongoingliaisonwithindustrysectorassociations,non-governmentorganizationsandgovernmentrepresentatives;• theidentificationofmacrotrendsarisingfrom:
o therepeated,systematicapplicationofalegislativegapanalysistool,specificallydesignedforassessingWHScomplianceinthefishingindustry;
o thetailoringofWHSmanagementsystemsforanumberofbusinessesandsectorassociations,and;o thefacilitationofWHSinspectionsandaudits;
• attendancetoindustryseminarsandannualgeneralmeetings;• facilitationofWHSorientatedtrainingandconsultationforums,and;• informalreviewsofWHSandotherfishingindustryrelatedliteratureaslistedinCitations.
Assuch,Ihavedevelopedrelationshipswiththefollowingkeystakeholders:
• PaulWatson,ExecutiveOfficer,SouthAustralianSardineIndustryAssociation;• SimonClark,ExecutiveOfficer,SpencerGulfandWestCoastPrawnFisherman'sAssociation;• MichaelCoates,ExecutiveOfficer,AbaloneIndustryAssociationofSouthAustralia(alsoalegalrepresentativefor
severalfishingbusinessesinWHSrelatedtrials);• JonasWoolford,Chairman,WildCatchFisheries;• RossHodge,ExecutiveOfficer,SouthernRocklobsterLtd.;• JustinPhillips,ExecutiveOfficer,SouthAustralianRockLobsterAdvisoryCouncilIncorporated;• BrianJeffries,ChiefExecutive,AustralianSouthernBluefinTunaIndustryAssociation;• AndrewPuglisi,ManagingDirector,KinkawookaMusselsPty.Ltd.;• SimonTurner,BoardMemberfromtheSouthAustralianOysterGrowersAssociation;• DionDorward,ChiefExecutiveOfficer,RegionalDevelopmentAustralia(EyrePeninsula);• ChristianPyke,SouthAustraliaRegionalDevelopmentManager,AgrifoodSkillsAustraliaPty.Ltd.;• RobKerin,ChairofPrimaryProducersofSouthAustraliaandformerLiberalpartyPremierofSouthAustralia;• KateBrooks,PhD,ARLF,GAICD,DirectorandSocialScientist,KALAnalysis;• TanyaAdams,ManagerHealth,Safety,EnvironmentandQualityatRJVincentandCo(alongtimeconsultanttothe
SouthandWesternAustralianfishingindustries);• RebeccaLang,Principal,RebeccaLangConsulting(formerManagerLearningandOrganizationalDevelopment,Primary
IndustriesandRegionsSouthAustralia),and;• JimSinclair,PrincipalLiaisonOfficer,SafeWorkSA,Attorney-General’sDepartmentoftheAustralianGovernment.
Contributingfactors
CommonthemesarisingfromdiscussionsheldwithmembersoftheSouthAustralianfishingindustryregardingWHShavehighlightedseveralcontributingfactorstothecurrentcontextofWHSwithintheindustry.Therigidandcyclicnatureoftherelationshipbetweeneachofthesefactorsunderpinsthedeeplyentrenchedbeliefsystemsofthosewithintheindustry,whichinturncatalysestheimmobilityoftheindustry’scapacitytopromotepositive,proactiveculturechange.
Figure1.ContributingfactorstothecurrentcontextofWHSintheSouthAustralianfishingindustry
Legislationandcompliance
Legislation
In2012,theCommonwealthofAustralia(SafeWorkAustralia)introducedthenewlyharmonizedmodelWHSlawstoparticipatingstatesandterritories;includingSouthAustralia.Whileatagoverningauthorityleveltheharmonizationwassuccessfulinreducingidentifiedanomaliesandcreatingalignmentbetweenitsparticipants,theSouthAustralianfishingindustry’slackofpriorknowledgeandunderstandingperpetuatedastateofconfusion.Inadditiontothisandlikemanyotherindustries,theSouthAustralianfishingindustryisalsosubjecttoacompositearrayofintermittentlyoverlappingWHSrelatedlegislation.
Prescribedinvaryinglevelsofdetail,thedisjointedrelationshipbetweenavarietyofdifferentActs,Regulations,CodesofPracticeandguidancenotesoncommontopicssuchasfoodsafety,health,hygiene,emergencyresponse,incidentreportingandinjurymanagementisfurtheramplifiedbytherespectivegoverningauthority’sinabilitytoprovidecleardirectionuponbeingcontextualizedtotheSouthAustralianfishingindustry.IntersectionsbetweenthefollowinglegislationasapplicabletotheSouthAustralianfishingindustryincludes,butisnotlimitedto:
• FairWorkAct2009;• FairWorkRegulations2009;• FoodAct2001;• FoodRegulations;• HarborsandNavigationAct1993;• InternationalSafetyManagementCode;
• UniformShippingLawsCode;• NationalStandardforCommercialVessels;• WHSAct2012;• WHSRegulations2012;• WorkCoverCorporationAct1994,and;• WorkCoverCorporationRegulations2012.
Legislafonandcompliance Lackofindustryspecific
resourcesThe‘toohardbasket’
factor
IndustryleadershipUninformedaboutWHS Verylimitedconfnuous
improvement
WHSisn’tapriority Perpetuatesalackofawarenesswithinthe
industry
Silencecondonescurrentbehaviour
Governmentauthority Fearofpenalfes/lossofemployment/producfvity Incidentsnotreported
Availabilityandpercepfonofcost
Furthermore,in2002,theAustralianMaritimeSafetyAuthority(AMSA)commencedthestagedintroductionoftheNationalStandardforCommercialVessels(NSCV)asabenchmarkforcompliancewithgeneralvesselsafetyrequirements,andareplacementoftheUniformShippingLawsCode.Withacommendableobjective‘toidentifyandmanageriskonboardvesselsbyencouragingthedevelopmentandmaintenanceofanongoingsafetyculture’4,theNSCVPartEOperationshasadoptedaprescriptiveapproachtowardsstipulatingtheminimumsafetyrequirementsfortheoperationofdomesticcommercialvessels.
WhiletheNSCVhasbeensuccessfulinpromptingindustryactioninprogressingtowardscompliance,ithasalsoaddedtothecomplexityofthelegislativelandscapeoftheSouthAustralianfishingindustry.Largelyfocusedontherisksassociatedwithoffshoreactivities,theNSCVPartE'slackofemphasisonavesselowner’sneedtomanagetherisksassociatedwithonshorerelatedfishingactivities(e.g.vesselmaintenanceandseafoodprocessing)hasthepotentialtorenderfurtherconfusiononhowtoidentifythepotentialgapsandbecomeallinclusively‘compliant’.Forexample,anoysterfarmerwithapre-existingWHSmanagementsystembasedonthemodelWHSlawswillberequiredto:
• EnsureathoroughunderstandingoftheintricaciesoftheirexistingWHSmanagementsystem;• ascertainathoroughunderstandingoftherequirementsoftheNSCVPartE;• basedontherequirementsoftheNSCVPartE,conductagapanalysisontheirexistingWHSmanagementsystem;• makenecessaryadjustmentstotheirexistingWHSmanagementsystemtosuittherequirementsoftheNSCVPartE,or,
developandsegregateonshoreactivitiesfromoffshoreactivities;• seekclarificationandendorsementfrombothSafeWorkSAandAMSAonanymisalignmentbetweenthetwosystems
e.g.terminologyused,overlappingsystems,and;• undertakeextensiveworkforcedevelopmentinordertoensureathoroughunderstandingbetweenbothsystems/the
mergingofthetwo.
Atthetimeoftheresearch,neitherAMSAnorSafeWorkSAwereabletoprovideclearguidanceonhowthisshouldbeexecuted,nordidthereexistanyformalplanforfurtheraddress.
Furthermore,alikelyoutcomeofthewidelyacknowledged‘redtapeepidemic’,manySouthAustralianfishermenaremoreinclinedtoassimilatetheterm‘legislation’withtheheavilyregulatedenvironmentalconditionsenforcedbytheDepartmentofAgricultureandWaterResources(Fisheries)andtheEnvironmentalProtectionAuthority,thanthatofWHS.Withaheavieroff-shorepresenceandademonstratedcapacitytoshutabusinessdownuponbreachofcompliance,bothenvironmentalandfoodsafetylegislationcontinuetotakeprecedenceoverthatofWHSlegislation.
Interpretation
ChallengesassociatedwiththeinterpretationofWHSlegislationintomeaningfulandrelevantinformationforSouthAustralianfishingbusinesseshasalsoinhibitedtheindustry’sprogressiontowardsWHScompliance.Regionalforumshostedbygovernmentauthoritiesfortherolloutofthenewlyharmonizedlegislationwerelargelygeneric,andheavilyorientatedaroundincreasedpenaltiesfornon-compliance.Coupledwithalackofindustryspecific,interpretativeresources,commonthemesandmisperceptionsarisingfromwithinthefishingindustryinclude:
• WHSlegislationastotallyinapplicable(i.e.particularlyforsoletraders,familyorsmallbusinesses);• theintroductionofthemodelWHSlawswasanentirelynewsetoflegislation(i.e.intheabsenceofknowledgeand
understandingoftheformeroccupationalhealthandsafetylegislation);• WHSlegislationisonlyapplicabletominingandotherheavyindustry;• WHSlegislationcouldbecollectivelyoverthrownbytheindustry(duetoitsperceivedinapplicability);• theprimaryobjectiveofWHSlegislationistoraisegovernmentrevenue;• compliancewithfoodsafetylegislation,vesselsurveyrequirements,operatorlicensingrequirementsand/orthe
implementationofaqualitymanagementsystemequatestocompliancewithWHSlegislation;• topurchaseandretainagenericWHSmanual(e.g.asavailableonline)equatestocompliancewithWHSlegislation;• WHSlegislationandsubsequentpenaltiescanbeinsuredagainst;• advicecouldnotbesoughtonhowtocomplywithWHSlegislationfromanyoneotherthanthegovernmentauthority
orasolicitor;• WHSandpublichealthandsafetyareoneofthesamething;• thosewithabasicunderstandingofWHSlegislationwerelargelyunsureofhowtotranslatethoseobligationsintotheir
practice;• abeliefthatwhilstworkingoffshore,fishermenare‘outofsight,outofmind’fromtheeyeofgovernmentauthorities;• manybusinessesremainspookedbytheemphasisonincreasedpenalties,and;• manybusinessesviewWHScomplianceassimply,‘toohardbasket’.
ChallengesarisingfromtheSouthAustralianfishingindustryintheirinterpretationandapplicationoftheuniversalyetheavilycontextualisedlegislationaroundhigh-riskactivities(e.g.diving,workinconfinedspacesandthestorageanduseofhazardouschemicals)hasalsoheightenedtheneedfortheprovisionofindustryspecificresources.Whilemuchworkisrequiredinordertoforgeaclearpathforwardsfortheindustry,theAbaloneIndustryAssociationofSouthAustraliahastakenproactivestepsinthedevelopmentandimplementationoftheirown‘DivingCodeofPractice’,astheirresponsetotheinapplicabilityofthemodelWHSdivingregulations5(whicharelargelyfocusedonmanagingtheriskassociatedwithcommercialdivingoperations,andnotfishing).
Whileotherhighriskindustries(e.g.mining,constructionandtransport)haveaccesstoavarietyofdifferentfreeinterpretativeresources–forexample,modelCodesofPractice–resourcesforthefishingindustryareyettobedeveloped.AreviewofthestrategicplansforbothSafeWorkSAandSafeWorkAustraliahavehighlightedtheinclusionofthenowamalgamatedagriculture,fishingandforestryindustriesasabroadtopicforfurtheraddress;howeverdidnotelaborateonanyspecificactiontobeundertakenonbehalfofthefishingindustry.
Industryleadership
Presidedbyexecutiveofficersfrombothfishingrelatedandnon-fishingrelatedbackgrounds,theSouthAustralianfishingindustryisdividedintoanumberofcommoditysectors.Heavilydominatedbyfishingbusinessowners,committeeswithinindustrysectorassociationsactastheprimarydecisionmakingbodyforallpayingmembersoftheirrespectivesectorassociation.
Acornerstoneforthedeliberationofbothsectorandfishingindustryrelatedinitiativesandopportunitiesforimprovement,sectorassociationshavebeenpivotalinthedemonstrationofindustryleadership,continualimprovementandtheoverallsuccessofeachfishery.
Sadly,sectorassociationsdonotrecognizeWHSasapriorityforinclusionintheirTermsofReference,northeirongoingstrategyforimprovement.Intheabsenceofdemonstrated,visibleindustryleadership,thisthenperpetuatesalackofawarenessoftheimportanceofWHSwithinintheindustry–theirsilencecondoningcurrentpracticeandthusinhibitingtheculturechangeprocess.
AlthoughthebroaderAustralianfishingindustryhascomealongwayfromthedaysofbravingperilouslyhighseasandprecariouslyoverloadingtheirwoodenvesselsbeyondsubmersionofthegunwales–muchworkisstillrequiredinordertoimprovetheexistingWHSculture.WhileaconsiderablenumberofsectorassociationshavebeensomewhatindustriousinacknowledgingtheneedtobecomecompliantwithWHSlegislation,thenatureoftheiracknowledgmentremainssomewhatinert.Contrarytothatofenvironmentallegislation,sectorassociationsarereticenttoofferongoingsupporttotheirmembersinlieuofbecomingcompliantwithWHSlegislation.UnderpinnedbytheknowledgethatWHSlegislationisregulatedagainsttheindividualbusinessandnottheindustryasawhole,sectorassociationshavebeenproactiveinengagingconsultantsfortheprovisiongenericWHSmanagementsystems–howeverdonotrecognisethereputationalriskassociatedwithnon-compliance,northelinkbetweenareductioninseriousinjuriesandfatalitiesandindustryprofitability.Furthermore,sectorassociationsremainillequippedtoaidtheimplementationprocess,norverifythatconsultant-suppliedproducts/adviceisfitforpurpose.
InAugust2014,IdevelopedandcirculatedaSouthAustralianfishingindustrywideproposaltoprovidecollaborativeassistanceacrosseachsector;aswellasanopportunitytodistributethecostsassociatedwithengagingaconsultant.Theproposalwasrejectedwithoutresponse–heighteningmyaspirationtoconductthisresearch.
Theindividualviewsandopinionsofindustryleaders(i.e.directors,managersandsupervisors)fromwithinSouthAustralianfishingbusinessesremainvaried;andareofteninfluencedbythescaleandnatureofthebusiness,itsprofitability,theageandexperienceprofileoftheindividualandtheirlevelofriskperceptionandacceptance.NotdissimilartotheopinionsexpressedinanyotherAustralianindustry,viewsonWHSrangefrom‘justcommonsense’to‘essentialinthisdayandage’and‘totallyunnecessary’.Unarguably,thereisasharedsenseofdiscomfortuponbroachofthetopicofWHS.
Onamoreorganiclevel,leadershipfromwithintheindustryisalsoexemplifiedbythefishermen’sinherentabilitytoproblemsolve.Asnaturalengineers,manysmallbusinessownersfromtheSouthAustralianfishingindustryarediligentindesigningandmanufacturingtheirownplantandequipmentsafeguards;particularlyforolderplantandequipmentthathasnotbeenmanufacturedincompliancewithWHSlegislation,letaloneAustralianStandards.Whilethisthenhasthepotentialtocreatecomplianceissuesinrelationtoplantandequipmentmodificationsnotbeingdonetospec–theinherentriskassociatedwithusingthepieceofplantorequipmenthasnonethelessbeenreduced.Theseimprovementshavethepotentialtosignificantlyreducethenumberofseriousinjuriesandfatalitiesindustrywide,howeverarenotbroadlycommunicated.Inaddition,therootcauses,contributingfactorsandlessonslearntfromseriousinjuriesandfatalitiesarealsonotrelayedthroughouttheindustry;thusonceagaininhibitingthecontinualimprovementprocessandthepreventionofreoccurringseriousinjuriesandfatalities..
Availabilityandperceptionofcost
TheIndustrialSafetyActwasfirstintroducedtoSouthAustraliain1972andwaslatersupersededbytheOccupationalHealthandSafetyActin1986.AlthoughWHSlegislationhasexistedinSouthAustraliaforoverthirtyyears,theWHSprofessionisstillintheprocessofbeingrealised;andhenceveryfewspecialistresourcesexistoutsideofthosededicatedtoheavyindustry(i.e.miningandconstruction).ThedemandforqualityWHSservicesfromwithinheavyindustryhasresultedinproportionallyhighchargeoutrates,whichhashadaflowoneffectintootherindustries.Inaddition,theavailabilityofWHSconsultantsinregionalareas(letalonethosewithexperienceinfisheries)hasmadeitallthemorechallengingfortheSouthAustralianfishingindustrytoworktowardsbecomingcompliant.ThisinturnhasfueledthenegativestigmaassociatedwithWHSasnotonlycomplex,butcostlyanddifficulttosource.
Notdissimilartoaccounting,legalservicesoranyotherconsultancyservice–alackofdetailedknowledgeandunderstandingoftheprofessionalsocontributestotheskepticismoffishingbusinessownersinnothavingtheknowledgetoverifywhetherornotheorsheis‘gettingtheirmoney’sworth’.Thismakesitdifficultforconsultancybusinessestoremainprofitablewithinregionalareas,onceagainreinforcingtheirscarcity.
Governmentauthorities
SeriousinjuriesandfatalitiesintheSouthAustralianfishingindustryarerenownedforattractingtheoftenoverwhelmingattentionofmultiplegoverningauthorities,includingSafeWorkSA,thepolice,AMSAandtheDepartmentofFisheries.ThereactivenatureofSafeWorkSA’sresponsetoseriousinjuriesandfatalitieshasoftenresultedinindustrywidescrutiny;forexample,blanketauditing–whichisaperceivedformof‘shocktactic’,usedwiththeintentofscaringbusinessownersintobecomingmorecompliant.CoupledwithSafeWorkSA’sheavyemphasisonincreasedpenaltiesfornon-compliance(i.e.asseeninregionalworkshops),thisinturnhasentrenchedadeepfearofgovernmentauthority,andthusthehesitationofindividualbusinessestoformallyreportincidents,aswellastoproactivelyengagewithSafeWorkSAforfurtherguidanceandsupport.
Alackofpositive,proactiveandvisiblepresencefromSafeWorkSAamongsttheSouthAustralianfishingindustryhasalsostrengthenedtheperceptionthatSafeWorkSA’sprimaryobjectiveisonlytorespondtoanincident/toregulate–ratherthantoprovideadviceandassistance.
AlthoughSafeWorkSAhasregionalofficeslocatedinPortLincoln,WhyallaandPortAugusta,accessibilityremainslimitedforbusinessesrequiredtotravelsignificantdistances.Accesstoonlineresourcesisalsodifficulttoreachforthosewithoutcomputerskills,noranyidea‘wheretostart’.Theindustry’sfearandhesitationofdrawingtheattentionofgovernmentauthorityintotheirworkplacesalsopreventsthemfromseekingfurtheradvice.
Aframeworkforsuccess
BasedontheknowncontextoftheWHScultureintheSouthAustralianfishingindustry,Idevelopedthefollowingframeworkasaplatformformyresearch.Underpinnedbyorganisationalpsychologyorientatedconceptsacquiredfrommyworkinotherindustries,theframeworkimpliesthatbestpracticeacrossallelementsoftheframeworkarerequiredinordertofosterapositive,proactivechangetoWHSculture.
Itiscriticaltohighlightthatwithoutthepresenceofastrong,visibleleadershipculture,change,andareductioninseriousinjuriesandfatalitiesissignificantlylesslikelytooccur.
Figure2.WHSculturalframework
Internationalbestpractice
EarlydiscussionswithkeystakeholdersintheSouthAustralianfishingindustryhighlightedacommon,industrywideacknowledgementthatNorwegianfisheriesareinternationallyrecognizedfortheirbestpracticeinfisheriesmanagement.Oneofthelargestexportersoffishworldwide,Norway6isalsorenownedforhavingthehighestHumanDevelopmentIndexranking(percapita)intheworld,aswellasrankingthirdinternationallyforthelowestfatalityincidencerateper100,000workers.FatalitiesintheNorwegianfishingfleet1990–20117providesdatatosuggestthatnotonlydoesthisrankingreflectthecurrentcontextoftheNorwegianfishingindustry,butthatthefatalityincidentratealsocontinuestodecreaseovertime.Profoundevidenceofthelinkbetweenareductioninseriousinjuriesandfatalitiesandindustryprofitability,Norwaythenbecamethefocalpointfortheresearch.
2. MethodologyKeyelementsofthemethodologyoftheresearchincluded:
1. FindandreviewonlinecontentregardingtheNorwegianfishingindustry;
2. identifyandestablishrelationshipswithkeystakeholdersfromtheNorwegianfishingindustry;
3. discussthecontextoftheresearchandseekguidanceonfacilitatinghighlevel,semi-structuredinterviewswithkeystakeholdersinNorway,and;
4. developandconductsemi-structuredinterviews.
Itinerary
Date Destination Interviewee(s)
Thursday,3rdSeptember2015 Ålesund SverreJohansen,DirectorofIndustryAffairs–NorwegianSeafoodFederation
KnutHelgeVestre,ChiefExecutiveOfficer–ColdwaterPrawnsofNorwayAS
Paul-GustavRemøy,Avdelingsleder(DepartmentManager)–Fiskebåt(FishingVesselOwner’sAssociation)
InformaldiscussionswithlocalsmallbusinessfishermenattheÅlesundwharf.
Tuesday,8thSeptember2015 Tromsø KarinOlsen,Dagligleder(ChiefExecutiveOfficer)–LyngenRekerAS
Wednesday,9thSeptember2015 Tromsø RogerB.Larsen,AssociateProfessor–FacultyofBiosciences,FisheriesandEconomics,TheArcticUniversityofNorwayUIT
JahnPetterJohnsen,Professor–FacultyofBiosciences,FisheriesandEconomics,TheArcticUniversityofNorwayUIT
Semi-structuredinterviewquestions
Thesemi-structuredinterviewquestionsweredesignedtoelicitinformationaboutbestpracticeineachofthefiveelementsoftheWHSculturalframework–thatare,leadershipculture,individualbehaviours,systems,physicalenvironmentandequipment.
Challengesassociatedwithconductingtheresearch
• Socialchallengesassociatedwithbeing‘accepted’asayoungwomaninanunfamiliar,ageingandheavilymaledominatedindustry(theSouthAustralianfishingindustry);
• myownlackofexperienceandknowledgeregardingfishing,theindustryandotherrelatedtopics;
• hesitationofmembersoftheSouthAustralianfishingindustrytoenterdiscussionsaboutWHS;
• aperceptionthatmypreviousexperiencesinminingandconstructionmaybeirrelevantortoocomplextobeappliedinthecontextoftheSouthAustralianfishingindustry;
• time-zone,languageandaccessibilityconstraintsassociatedwithidentifyingandbuildingrapportwithkeystakeholdersfromtheNorwegianfishingindustry(conductedviaonlinecorrespondenceonly,receivingonlyoneresponsefromonestakeholderoffifteenattempts);
• alackofaccessibilitytokeyNorwegianWHS/fishingrelatedliterature(aswritteninNorwegian);
• alimitedcapacitytodedicatetimeandotherresourcestotheresearchasaresultoffinancesandothercommitments,and;
• thetimeboundnatureoftheresearchasarequirementofbeingtherecipientofthe2014RuralYouthBursary8.
3. Findings
ExploringthecontextofbestpracticeofWHSintheNorwegianfishingindustry
InresponsetothecurrentcontextofWHSintheSouthAustralianfishingindustry,thefollowingfindingsprovideanoverviewofthecontextofbestpracticeofWHSintheNorwegianfishingindustry.OtheremergingthemeshavealsobeenconveyedascriticalmilestonesintheNorwegianfishingindustry’sjourneytosuccess;andhavebeenincludedinordertoenabletheidentificationofpotentialleversforpositive,proactiveculturechangeintheSouthAustralianfishingindustry.
Legislation
TheNorwegianfishingindustryissubjecttoanarrayofoverlappingWHSrelatedlegislation.Describedas‘complex,butstable’,theindustryappearstohaveacceptedlegislativerequirementsasanintegralpartofhavingaprofitablebusiness.
Partlyasaresultofthehighstandardofcomplianceimpliedbythejuxtaposedmarinetransportandoilandgasindustries,theNorwegianSeafoodFederation(onshorefishingrelatedactivities)andFishingVesselOwnersAssociation(offshorefishingrelatedactivities)havebeenequippedtoprovidesupportandguidanceonhowtointerpretandtailortherequirementsofWHSlegislationtotheNorwegianfishingindustry.Bothindustrybodiesclaimthatthereisgoodcooperationbetweenthegovernmentauthorityandtheindustry,thoughtheindustryhassuggestedthatmorecouldbedoneinprovidingcleardirectionintheinterpretationofthelaw.ThegovernmentauthoritydoesnotprovidetheNorwegianfishingindustrywithanyindustryspecifictrainingorotherresources,thoughisdiligentinpromotingWHSawarenessandlegislativecomplianceviamedia.
TheInternationalSafetyManagementCode(asadoptedbytheInternationalMaritimeOrganization)andotherinternationalconventionsaresaidtohavehadaprevailinginfluenceontheNorwegianfishingindustry’smovementtowardscompliance.Thereisconcern,howeverofanotabledisplacementofindividualresponsibility–wherebyWHSisnowperceivedasa‘boxtickingexercise’,asopposedtoatruereductioninworkplacerisk–apresumedflowoneffectfromthestandardsimposedbytheNorwegianoilandgasindustry.
TheNorwegianfishingindustryiscurrentlyworkingtowardsthedevelopmentandimplementationofacertifiedvesselsafetymanagementsystemforsubmissionandapprovalbygoverningauthoritiespriortothe1stofApril2016.Vesselswillnotbepermittedtogotoseawithoutcertification.
Industryleadership
Drivenbyfishingindustrydemand,theNorwegianSeafoodCouncilandFishingVesselOwner’sAssociationhavebeenestablishedinordertoformacollectiverepresentationofallsectorsoftheNorwegianfishingindustry.AcentralpointofcontactandaconduitbetweentheNorwegianfishingindustryandgoverningauthorities,bothpartiesarehousedwithinthesamebuildinginÅlesund,andworksimultaneouslytoprovidehighlevelsupporttotheindustryinaddressingabroadrangeofdifferenttopics.AlsosupportedbytheNorwegianSeafoodFederation,topicsincludebutarenotlimitedto:WHS,quality,foodsafety,traderegulations,marketingandindustrialrelationsmatters.
Empoweredbystrongrelationshipswithmembersoftheindustryandawealthoffishingrelatedtertiaryqualificationsandexperience,bothpartieshaveforgedacommonlanguageinordertoraisethebarinperceivedprofessionalism,businesssophistication,adherencetocorporatesocialresponsibilityandthepromotionoftheNorwegianfishingindustryingeneral.Thishasbeenparticularlyvaluableinaddressingchallengesassociatedwiththeinterpretationandapplicabilityofoverlappingandnon-industryspecificlegislation(i.e.oilandgasversusfishing).
Whilethesenon-governmentorganizationsdonotprovidegenericWHSmanagementsystemstotheindustry,internalresources(i.e.WHSspecialists)havebeenmadeaccessibleforthepurposeofprovidinggeneralsupportandadviceonWHSrelatedmatters.Outreachprogramsarealsofacilitatedinordertopromotetheindustry’sawarenessofbasicWHS.
Governingauthorities
ThereisavisiblepresencethroughouttheNorwegianfishingindustrybyNorwegiangoverningauthorities,andwhilethereisahealthyfearofpenaltiesfornon-compliance,‘blanketauditing’isnotamechanismusedtoenforcecompliance.Theauthorityconductsbothplannedandunplannedchecksonbothoffshoreandonshorefishing-relatedactivitiesandthereisnotablygoodcooperationbetweentheindustryandgovernmentauthority.
Transparencyaroundthereportingofincidentsishighlightedasanopportunityforimprovement,asfurtherclarityissoughtonwhatlevelofincidentrequiresformalreporting.
Priortothecommencementofthemainfishingseason,thegovernmentauthorityisdiligentinissuingWHSalertsbasedonthefindingsseriousinjuriesandfatalitiesfromtheprecedingseason.Forexample,lessonslearntfrominjuriessustainedasaresultoftheincorrectremovalofthegallbladderfromcodfishweredistributedinthe2015season.
Theexpectationofasafeworkenvironment
Establishedintheearly1900s,thehighlyfunctionalNorwegianSeafarers'UnionandNorwegianFisherman’sAssociationhaveplayedakeyroleinincreasingthedemandforsaferworkenvironmentsthroughouttheNorwegianfishingindustry.
Theprofoundlydistributedview-pointsofsocialdemocratsinadditiontoastrongpushfromaformerLaborpartytoimproveminimumWHSstandardshasalsohadaprevailinginfluenceinfosteringgenerationalchangeandreinforcingtherightsoftheworker.
AsaresultofthepresenceofUnions,workersnowfeelasthoughtheyhaveavoice;andareacutelyawareoftheirentitlementtosafeworkconditions.Thereisnolongeranyacceptancefor‘rulebreaking’orthenegationofemployersinfulfillingtheirobligationstowardsWHS.Thisinturnputspressureonemployerstoraisethebenchmarkincomplianceinordertoattractandretainskilledlabour–particularlywhilstindirectcompetitionwiththeoilandgasindustry.
Theflowoneffectoftheoilandgasindustry
WhiletheintroductionoftheoilandgasindustrytotheNorthSeainthelate1960shashadavastlypositiveimpactontheNorwegianeconomy,ithasperpetuatedanumberofsignificantchallengesfortheNorwegianfishingindustry.Theseinclude,butarenotlimitedto:
• Difficultyinattractingandretainingskilledlabourasaresultof:o higherpaidwages;o betterworkingconditions;o moreopportunitiesforcareeradvancement;o shorterandmoreconsistentrosterarrangements,and;o asaferworkenvironment.
• AperceivedpressuretoincreasecompliancewithWHSlegislationduetothehighstandardsetbytheoilandgasindustry;
• anincreaseinfeeschargedbyWHSconsultantsandothertradespersonsinproportiontothewealthoftheoilandgasindustry,and;
• heavyemphasisonWHScomplianceasacumbersome‘boxtickingexercise’,asopposedanactualreductioninworkplacerisk.
UponrealisingtheseeminglyunsurmountablewealthoftheNorwegianoilandgasindustryandthedisproportionatecostsassociatedwithattracting‘therightworkers’(inattempttocompensateforlessattractiveworkconditions),theNorwegianfishingindustrymadeashifttowardsdevelopingabetteremploymentpackageforattractingworkers;aswellassourcinglabourfromadjoiningcountries(i.e.Latvia,Poland,EstoniaandLithuania).TheexpansionoftheEuropeanUnionin2004aidedthisprocess,andfishingindustrykeystakeholdersacknowledgethathadthisnotoccurred,thefishingindustrymaynothavesurvived.
AchangeoffocusTraditionally,theprofitabilityoftheNorwegianfishingindustrywaslargelyunderpinnedbyadeeplyentrenched‘huntingandgathering’mentalityandaninherentfocusontheendproduct;ratherthanthemarketabilityoftheproductandtheoptimisationoftheentiresupplychainprocess.Aswithanysignificantchange,timehasbeenacriticalfactorintheevolutionoftheNorwegianfishingindustrytothesuccessstorythatitistoday.Perceivedtohavetakenapproximately30–40yearstoreachitscurrentposition,therootcauseofthechangeislargelyattributedtotheindustryhavingbeenfacedwithsignificantfinancialdifficultiesasaresultofanumberofcontributingfactorsovertime.Factorsinclude,butarenotlimitedto:
• Thecollapseoftheherringstocksinthe1960s;• competitionforskilledlabourwiththeoilandgasindustry;• increasedcostsassociatedwithengagingsupportingservices(i.e.WHSconsultantsandtradespersons);• aspateofseriousinjuriesandfatalitiesinthe1970s;• theintroductionoffisheriesmanagementandquotasystems,and;• theexpectationofahighstandardofWHScomplianceasaflowoneffectfromtheoilandgasindustry.
Manybusinessownersretreatedfromthefishingindustryandsoughtemploymentintheoilandgassector.Theremainderofbusinessownerswerethentaskedwiththeonerousdecisionofeitherresumingthecurrentstateofplay(withthepotentialtolapseintobankruptcy),or,toembracevulnerabilityandgrowfromtheexperience.WhilealotoftheNorwegianfishingindustryremainsunchanged,theleadershipculturefromwithinbothindustryassociationsandindividualentitieshaveforgedthewayinchangingthefaceoftheindustry.Inordertoeffectpositivechange,theNorwegianfishingindustryneededtoacknowledgethefollowing:
• Theneedtocollaborateinordertobecomesuccessful;• afocuspurelybasedonvolumeandproductalonewillresultinstrainontheindividual;• anunderstandingoftherelationshipbetweentheendproductandthesource(‘garbagein,garbageout’theory),and;• alackofprofitabilitywillresultinstrainonthequalityoftheworkenvironment(andthereforetheabilitytoattract
andretaintherightpeople).
Acollaborativebusinessventurebetweenthreeformerlystrugglingprawnbusinesses,ColdWaterPrawnsAS9isnowthelargestexporterofArtic,cold-waterprawnsinNorway.‘Sincebeingfoundedin2007/2008,ColdWaterPrawnsAShasincreaseditsmarketshareofNorwegian-caughtcoldwaterprawnsfromjustunder45%tomorethan90%today.In2011,thecompanystarteditsownproductioncompanyinSenjahopen,Norway.CPN'soperatingrevenuesincreasedfromNOK15millioninitsfirstyearofoperationin2008toNOK439millionin2014.’10Byrecognisingtheimportanceofgeneratingsustainability,thenow‘bigplayers’intheNorwegianfishingindustryhavefocusedonevolvingfrombeing‘justfishermen’,tosophisticatedbusinesspeople.Theirjourneytosuccesshasincluded,butisnotlimitedto:
• Establishmentofamarketvisionwithastrongemphasisonboththemarketandtheconsumer;• identificationofnichemarketsandexpansionintoothercommoditieswherepossible;• developmentofrobustcorporatebrandingstrategies;• understandingoflegalobligationsinordertoallowmorefocusontheconsumerandthemarket;• ongoinganalysisofcostmarginsandopportunitiesforfurtherimprovement;• adoptionofstartofthearttechnology;• effectivemanagementofchangeassociatedwiththe‘quotashock’;• empoweringofeachandeveryindividualinvolvedinthesupplychaintotakeownershipintheirrolesand
responsibilities,and;• understandingoftheimportanceofensuringgoodcommunicationandgoodrelationshipsthroughouttheentire
process.
CurrentchallengesfortheNorwegianfishingindustryWhiletherehavebeenmanyimprovementsmadetotheNorwegianfishingindustryovertime,theindustryacknowledgesforthcomingchallengesinitsmanagementof:
• Afalseperceptionofrisk,asaresultofaflowoneffectfromtheoilgasindustry’sperceivedinterpretationofWHSintoa‘boxtickingexercise’;
• seasonalityandtheregulationofhoursofwork,and;• communicationissuesassociatedwithengagingforeignlabour.
4. DiscussionWhilemyoriginalthoughtsontheconceptofidentifyingbestpracticeintheNorwegianfishingindustryandre-introducingittotheSouthAustralianfishingindustryhadmerit–thesignificanceofunderstandingtheaetiologyofbestpracticehasbecomecriticalinensuringitsapplicability,credibilityandsustainabilitytotheindustryasawhole.Thetaskof‘identifyingbestpractice’insuchashortperiodoftimewouldhavealsopromptedasignificantnarrowingofthescopeoftheresearch,andthuswouldhaveinhibiteditspotentialtofosterindustrywidechange.
Ashighlightedinthetablebelow,surprisingsimilaritiesbetweenthechallengesenduredbytheNorwegianfishingindustryandthosecurrentlyfacedbytheSouthAustralianfishingindustryhaveuncoveredanunrealisedpotentialfortheSouthAustralianfishingindustrytofasttrackitsjourneytosuccess.Auniqueopportunityinitself,thedecisionwillremainwiththeindustry’scapacityandabilitytorecognizeandactaccordingly.
ChallengessurpassedbytheNorwegianfishingindustry1960-2007
CurrentchallengesfacedbytheSouthAustralianfishingindustry2015
• Thecollapseofherringstocks • Fluctuatingmarketconditions
• Competitionforskilledlabourwiththeoilandgasindustry
• Competitionforlabourwithotherindustries
• IncreaseincostsassociatedwithengagingWHSconsultants/tradespersons
• IncreaseincostsassociatedwithengagingWHSconsultants/tradespersons
• Aspateofseriousinjuriesandfatalities • Ahigherincidenceofseriousinjuriesandfatalitiesthananyotherindustrynationwide
• Introductionofthefisheriesmanagementandquotasystems
• Introductionofthefisheriesmanagementandquotasystems
• TheexpectationofahighstandardofWHScomplianceasaflowoneffectfromtheoilandgasindustry
• TheexpectationofahighstandardofWHScomplianceasaflowoneffectfromtheminingindustry
• ComplexandoverlappingWHSrelatedlegislation • ComplexandoverlappingWHSrelatedlegislation
Thelengthoftimeandsequenceofeventsbetweenthecollapseoftheherringstocksinthe1960sandtheexponentialgrowthoftheNorwegianfishingindustryin2007purportstheorganicnatureofitstransformationfrombeingsomewhatcapriciouslypropelledbyformerlylabeled‘seaidiots’,tonowhighlysuccessfulbusinessmen.Suchatransformationcouldnothaveoccurredwithoutdemonstratedindustryleadershipandcooperationbetweenindividualentities,governmentauthorityandindustrybodies.Bornfromcrises,theuniqueamalgamationofthreestrugglingprawnbusinessestoformColdWaterPrawnsAS,thefoundingoftheNorwegianSeafoodCouncilin1991andtheevolutionoftheFishingVesselOwnersAssociationprovidesevidencetosupporttheneedtocollaborateandforma‘commonlanguage’,inordertomaximizetheSouthAustralianfishingindustry’scapacitytopromotepositive,proactivechange.
ItisimportanttohighlightthatwhileunprecedentedimpactingfactorswillcontinuetochallengethefishingindustryinbothNorwayandSouthAustralia,legislationwillremainasomewhatstableconstant.InconsiderationofAustralia’syouthasacountryincomparisontothatofNorway–perhapsAustralia’snegativeperceptionoflegislationcanbeattributedtothefactthatitisyettodistinguishtheneedtoadapt,ratherthantoresist.BypromotingownershipoftheproductandbyfirmlyembeddingWHSresponsibilitiesineachandeveryrolethroughoutthesupplychain,highlyaffluentNorwegianfishingbusinesses(i.e.ColdWaterPrawnsASandLyngenRekerAS)havesucceededinrecognisingandreinforcingthecriticallinkbetweenprofitabilityandmaintainingapositive,proactiveworkhealthandsafetyculture.
BriefdiscussionsregardingtheprovisionofdocumentedWHSmanagementsystemsprovedsomewhatunrelatedtoasteadyreductionintheoccurrenceofseriousinjuriesandfatalitiesintheNorwegianfishingindustry.ThemandatoryrequirementforallNorwegianfishermentoprovideavesselsafetymanagementsystembythe1stofApril2016isnotdissimilartotheAustralianMaritimeSafetyAuthority’srequirementtohaveaCertificateofOperation(whichencompassesavesselsafetymanagementsystem)bythe30thofJune2016.Thisreinforcestheimportanceofchangingthebehavioroftheindustryasafoundationforapositive,proactiveWHSculture–ratherthanfocusingonthepremiseofcompliancewithWHSlegislationalone.
UponsightinganumberofhighlysophisticatedandvastlymodernninetyfootfishingtrawlersperuseelegantlyinandoutoftheÅlesundandTromsøharbours,itbecameapparenttome,theeasetowhichtheaveragepersoncouldassumethattheprimaryreasonfortheNorwegianfishingindustry’ssuccessislargelyfoundedbytheiruseofcuttingedgetechnologyandphysicalsafeguardsinordertoreduceriskandmaximiseprofitability.Althoughstillaprominentfactor,itisimportanttonotethattheimprovementintechnologyhasbeendriveninresponsetothedemandfromindustry;ofwhichisonlywarrantedwheretherehasbeenenoughcapitaltowarrantinvestment.
SuggestionsfromkeystakeholdersfromtheNorwegianfishingindustryonhowtoimprovethecontextofWHSintheSouthAustralianfishingindustryinclude,butarenotlimitedto:
• IndustrysectorassociationstocollaborateandplayandactiveroleinadvisingtheindustryoncommonWHSrelatedissues;
• thedevelopmentofWHSmanagementsystemsthathavebeenspecificallytailoredtomeettheneedsoftheSouthAustralianfishingindustryinstrictconsiderationofretainingsimplicity,ensuringaninherentfocusonmanagingcriticalriskandavoidingthepotentialfor‘boxticking’;
• mindfulnessofworkerrightsandthepotentialforfutureunionintervention,and;• broademphasistobeplacedbyindustryleadersonthelinkbetweenmembersofthefishingindustryandtheir
families,andthenotionthatfamiliesoftenfeeltheriskmorethanthefishermendo.
5. ConclusionExplorationintothecontextofbestpracticeofWHSintheNorwegianfishingindustryhasbeenpivotalintheidentificationofthecriticalmilestonesor‘tippingpoints’associatedwiththetransformationoftheNorwegianfishingindustrytothesuccessstorythatitistoday.InordertooptimizethevalueofthesefindingstotheSouthAustralianfishingindustry,thefollowingquestionshavepromptedtheneedforfurtherresearch:
• WhatlessonshastheNorwegianfishingindustrylearntinrespondingtoindustrycrises?Istherenowasystematicapproachfordoingso?
• Whatadditionallevers(ifany)havebeenappliedtoeffectindustrychange?Whatworks,andwhatdoesn’twork?• Whatotherevidenceisavailabletosupportthenotionthatindustryleadershiphasplayedakeyroleineffecting
positivechange?
Inthemeantime,ongoingworkwillcontinueinorderto:
• FacilitateconversationsregardingthefindingsoftheresearchwithkeystakeholdersfromtheSouthAustralianfishingindustry;
• strengthenrelationshipswithexistingandnewlyidentifiedkeystakeholdersfromtheNorwegianfishingindustry;• identifyandbuildanetworkofindustrychampionsforchange,and;• exploretheroleandcapacityoffamiliesandwomenwithinthefishingindustryasagentsforchange.
6. AcknowledgementsAstherecipientofthe2014RuralYouthBursary,IwouldliketopledgeasincerethankyoutotheAgriculturalBureauofSouthAustraliafortheirfinancialcontributionof$5,000.00towardsmyresearch.
ToRebeccaLang,PrincipalofRebeccaLangConsulting;notonlyhaveIfoundamentorfigurewhosepassionforeffectingpositivechangeisequalifnotsuperfluoustomyown,butafriendandsomeonewhomItrulylookupto.Yourongoingsupportandguidancethroughoutboththeapplicationandselectionprocessforthe2015RuralWomen’sAward,andthecountlesshoursofvoluntaryassistancethereafterhasenabledmetoexploremyideasfurtherthanI’deverimagined.Thisresearchwouldnothavehappenedwithoutyou.
ToSverreJohansenandhiswonderfulwifeMaria.MyvisittoNorwaywouldnothavebeenanywherenearasfruitfulonbothaprofessionalandpersonallevelhadyounotrespondedtomyinitialemail.ThankyousomuchfortakingthetimetocoordinatemyvisittoNorwayandallowingmetonotonlyfacilitateconversationswiththebesttheNorwegianfishingindustryhastooffer,butforshowingmethekindofhospitalityIcouldonlyhopetoreturnwhenyoudecidetocometoAustralia.
ToChrisThomas,mybelovedfather.Icouldnotbeaprouderdaughter.Foreverythingyou’vesoselflesslysacrificedforme,andnonetheleastyoursupportwithyetagainanotheroneofmyseeminglyhairbrainedideas.Thankyouforinstillinginmemypassionforagricultureandcaringforothers,andforalwaysbeingthereasmysoundingboard.Thisresearchreallyisatributetoyouandyour‘couldn’tkillmewiththebackofanaxe’mentality.
7. Citations1SafeWorkAustraliahttp://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/sites/swa/about/publications/pages/work-related-traumatic-injury-fatalities-australia-2013Dateaccessed:4thofMarch2016.2HealthandSafetyintheAustralianFishingIndustry,Dr.KateBrooks.RuralIndustryResearchandDevelopmentCorporation,RIRDCPublicationNo.11/021,2011.3AustralianSouthernRocklobster‘CleanGreenProgram’http://www.southernrocklobster.com/cleangreen/Dateaccessed:4thofMarch2016.4NationalStandardforCommercialVesselsPartEOperations2013(Cth).5ModelWorkHealthandSafetyRegulations(Cth)–Part8Divingwork
6Norwayhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NorwayRetrieved8thofOctober2015.7FatalitiesintheNorwegianfishingfleet1990–2011,EdgarMcGuinness,HalvardL.Aasjord,IngridB.Utne,IngunnMarieHolmen,DepartmentofMarineTechnology,NorwegianUniversityofScienceandTechnology(NTNU),Trondheim,NorwayandDepartmentFisheryTechnology,SINTEFFisheriesandAquaculture,Trondheim,Norway.8Ireceivedafinancialcontributionof$5,000.00towardstheresearchuponbeingawardedthe2014AgriculturalBureauRuralYouthBursary.AconditionofbeingarecipientwarrantedthedeliveryofacomprehensivereporttotheAgriculturalBureaubythe1stofOctober2015.9ColdWaterPrawnshttp://www.prawnsofnorway.no/coldwater_prawns_of_norway/presentation-of-our-visions-and-our-storyDateaccessed:10thofDecember2015.10Presentationofourvisionsandourstory.ColdWaterPrawnsAShttps://vimeo.com/129867840ColdWaterPrawnsAS.Dateaccessed:10thofDecember2015.
FatalOccupationalInjuries–AnOverseasComparison.AustralianGovernmentNationalOccupationalHealthandSafetyCommission,CommonwealthofAustralia,2004.
SafeWorkAustraliaAnnualReport2013–2014
AustralianWHSStrategy2012–2022,SafeWorkAustralia
NationalAgricultureActivityPlan2014-2019,SafeWorkAustralia
WHSResearchStrategyForSafeWorkSA,October2014
SafeWorkSAAdvisoryCouncilAnnualReport2013-14
ReviewofavailablefishingindustryrelatedWHSprosecutions.