This article presents an overview of reported injuries in the Norwegian aquaculture industry focusing on the production of Atlantic salmon and trout, which dominates the fish farming industry in Norway. Two different data sets form the basis for the analysis: (i) occupational injuries reported to the Norwegian Labor and Welfare Administration, and (ii) serious occupational injuries reported to the Norwegian Labor Inspection Authority. The data sets on occupational injuries and serious injuries provide information about mode of injury, type of injury, affected body parts, and time of year of the reported injuries. The results and the injury trends are analyzed and discussed in light of important characteristics and changes in the Norwegian fish farming industry, including underreporting. This information is useful in safety management and for allocating resources for risk-reducing measures.

This article presents an overview of reported fatalities in the Norwegian aquaculture industry focusing on the production of Atlantic salmon and trout, which dominate the fish farming industry in Norway. The data on fatalities from 1982-2015 are registered by SINTEF Ocean, which is the only data source available. The fatality data set includes information on the incidents leading to fatalities, activities conducted at the time of fatalities, and the time of year the fatalities were registered. The article discusses the fatality trends in light of the characteristics and changes in the Norwegian fish farming industry during the last three decades. This provides useful information for determining the most important current safety challenges and for developing efficient safety management in aquaculture.

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Abstract:The fish farming industry is one of the industries in Norway with the highest occupational fatality and injury rate. Despite the serious health, safety, and environmental issues in the industry, little is done to measure changes in safety over time beyond the traditional Lost Time Injury (LTI) registrations. In this article the objective is twofold; (i) to propose a framework for developing safety indicators based on Systems-Theoretic Process Analysis (STPA), and (ii) to apply the framework to find indicators relevant for hazards in operations where subcontractors participate. STPA uses a hierarchical portrayal of the system in focus, in contrast to sequential models, and views safety as a control problem. It is believed that a systemic approach to indicator development better captures the complex safety challenges in aquaculture. Thirteen indicators are identified within areas such as maintenance, training, and planning. The indicators identified may function as a basis for decisions and actions that must be undertaken to ensure safe operations.

Operations at sea-based fish farms can be challenging, and several risk dimensions are of concern during operations. Sea lice represent a challenge for the fish farmers who are required to perform delousing when the infestation levels rice above a set value. Delousing operations are frequently performed and require the use of heavy machinery operated from service vessels moored to the net-cages. Operators are exposed to hazards that may cause severe injuries and fatalities. Escape of salmon, which is a substantial environmental risk, has occurred in relation to delousing operations. Chemicals used during the operations may cause negative environmental consequences. Other safety related issues are the fish health and welfare. In this paper, a delousing operation on a fish farm is discussed with respect to different dimensions of risk, and potential conflicting objectives are discussed.