MARINE GUIDANCE NOTE

MGN 237 (F)

1
WORKING AND PROTECTIVE GEAR FOR
FISHERMEN
Notice to Designers, Builders, Owners, Employers, Skippers and Crew Members of Fishing
Vessels
This Note supersedes MGN 187 (F) and should be read in conjunction with MSN1731 (M+F) for
details of technical standards and MGN 20 (M+F)
1.0 Introduction
1.1 This Note provides general advice on the
supply and use of working gear and
protective gear (personal protective
equipment (PPE)) on board fishing vessels. It
includes advice on the application to fishing
vessels on the principal requirements of the
Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels
(Personal Protective Equipment) Regulations
1999.
2.0 What the owner should do to assess the
need for protective gear
2.1 There are four stages that the owner should
go through to assess the need for protective
gear, as follows:
A As part of an overall risk assessment
consider the use of working gear and
protective gear. Use this to identify those
risks that can only be addressed by the use
of such equipment.
B Decide on what the gear must be capable
of to address the risks identified (in A).
Make sure you take into account any
problems that a particular type or design of
gear may create.
Summary
This Note provides general advice on the supply and use of working gear and protective gear
(personal protective equipment (PPE)) on board fishing vessels. It includes advice on the
application to fishing vessels on the principal requirements of the Merchant Shipping and
Fishing Vessels (Personal Protective Equipment) Regulations 1999.
Protective gear (or PPE) should only be used where acceptable levels of risk cannot be
eliminated. Elimination of hazards identified by risk assessment is a primary objective.
Advice is provided to help decide when and which protective gear (or PPE) can be used for
dealing with risks that commonly occur on board.
Annexes 1 and 2 provide examples of checklists protective gear that can be kept readily
available for the information of crewmembers.
This note may be used to meet requirements for information and training as required by
articles 7, 8, 9 and 10 of European Council Directive 93/103/EC.
2
C Compare to ensure that the gear
considered in B addresses the risks identified
in A. Consult with crewmembers to make
the final choice of design and type of gear
and to ensure that the gear is effective.
D Inform all crewmembers of the working
gear and protective gear that should be
available and worn under those
circumstances identified (in A). Checklists
similar to those in the Annexes to this MGN
may be applied.
N.B. Protective gear should always be
looked on as a safety measure of last resort.
It should only be used when you cannot
remove the safety risk completely or reduce
it to a safe level by more effective means. e.g.
It is better if work can be performed under a
protective shelter than to address the risk of
crew working on deck. The main aim should
always be to remove or contain the source of
harm so that everyone is protected, not just
those wearing protective gear.
3.0 Categories of Protective Gear
3.1 What fishermen wear for their own
protection can be split into three groups:
Working Gear
Protective Gear
Specialist Protective Gear
and paragraphs 3.2 to 3.4 provide guidelines
on what can be considered as meeting these
3 groups.
3.2 Working Gear
This includes those items of personal
clothing that, by reason of practicality, share
fishermen usually supply for their own use,
including oilskins, overalls and working
boots. They can have important features
giving protection from slips and falls, wet
and cold, additional buoyancy, compatibility
with other protective equipment (such as
constant wear lifejackets) and aids to being
seen and colour contrast with the marine
environment.
3.3 Protective Gear
This includes additional items that the
employer or owner supplies (such as eye
protection and buoyancy equipment), after
having identified the need through risk
assessment.
3.4 Specialist Protective Gear
This is specialist equipment requiring formal
training and greater familiarity before it can
be used safely. This includes such items as
oxygen meters and breathing apparatus
used for entry into enclosed spaces. Without
such equipment and proper training such
risks are to be avoided. Delay tasks requiring
specialist equipment until they can be
carried out safely by specialist contractors
when in port.
4.0 Summary for Supply, Use and
Maintenance of Working and Protective
Gear
4.1 When supplying, using or maintaining
working and protective gear, it is important
that the following is taken into account:
The choice of working and protective
gear should be based on the findings of a
risk assessment. Refer to MGN 20 (M+F)
for details;
Outer clothing or clothing worn over
clothing should be in bright colours,
contrasting with the marine environment
and clearly visible;
Information on what working gear and
protective gear is needed should be
available to all on board, (such as in the
examples shown in the Annexes);
Gear should comply with relevant
standards of design and manufacture
(e.g. new equipment should carry the
British Standard or European Norm (CE)
marking appropriate for the intended
use. See MSN 1731(M+F) for detailed
technical standards);
Gear should be appropriate to the risks
identified, the working environment and
should fit, or be adjustable to fit, the
individual wearing it;
Gear should be stored, inspected,
maintained and repaired so that it
remains effective, and should be
accessible;
Instructions for use should always be
available, and workers instructed or
trained in the proper use of the
equipment;
3
The skipper and the owner should
ensure that the proper working gear and
protective gear is used when the risks
demand it;
Where gear is not supplied for an
individuals sole use, it must be kept in a
hygienic condition so that it can be
shared safely;
Fishermen should wear and use the
working gear and protective gear when
appropriate and comply with any
training and instruction provided.
5.0 Regulations
5.1 MSN 1731 (M+F) outlines the requirements
of the Merchant Shipping and Fishing
Vessels (Personal Protective Equipment)
Regulations 1999. It also contains an
expanded list of work activities and relevant
design standards of protective equipment.
The regulations require employers to ensure
that personal protective equipment (PPE) is
provided for workers who are engaged in, or
at risk from, a hazardous working activity
on board United Kingdom fishing vessels.
Enquiries relating to the content of this MGN should
be addressed to:
Fishing Vessel Safety Branch
The Maritime & Coastguard Agency
Spring Place
105 Commercial Road
Southampton SO15 1EG
Tel: 023 8032 9150
Fax: 023 8032 9173
General enquiries relating to the supply or availability
of MSNs, MGNs or MINs or other subjects covered by
MCA should be addressed to the Maritime Information
Centre at the above address.
Tel: 023 8032 9297
Fax: 023 8032 9298
Crown Copyright 2002
File ref. MS 88/1/0414
June 2002
Safer Lives, Safer Ships, Cleaner Seas
An executive agency of the
Department for Transport
E
x
a
m
p
l
e
4
A
n
n
e
x

1
-

F
o
r

C
r
e
w

o
f

S
m
a
l
l
e
r

F
i
s
h
i
n
g

V
e
s
s
e
l
s

(
U
n
d
e
r

2
4

m
e
t
r
e
s

R
e
g
i
s
t
e
r
e
d

L
e
n
g
t
h
)
A

G
u
i
d
e

t
o

P
e
r
s
o
n
a
l

W
o
r
k
i
n
g

G
e
a
r

a
n
d

P
r
o
t
e
c
t
i
v
e

G
e
a
r

f
o
r

F
i
s
h
e
r
m
e
n

B
a
s
i
c

C
h
e
c
k
l
i
s
t

t
o

P
r
o
t
e
c
t

A
g
a
i
n
s
t

I
n
j
u
r
y

*
W
O
R
K
I
N
G

G
E
A
R
P
R
O
T
E
C
T
I
V
E

G
E
A
R
S
P
E
C
I
A
L
I
S
T

P
R
O
T
E
C
T
I
O
N
A
C
T
I
V
I
T
Y
L
O
C
A
T
I
O
N
O
i
l
s
k
i
n
s
B
o
i
l
e
r
W
o
r
k
G
l
o
v
e
s
H
a
r
d
E
a
r
S
a
f
e
t
y
L
i
f
e
j
a
c
k
e
t
/
S
a
f
e
t
y
R
u
b
b
e
r
I
n
s
u
l
a
t
e
d
B
r
e
a
t
h
i
n
g
O
x
y
g
e
n
(
a
n
d

S
u
i
t
B
o
o
t
s
H
a
t
P
r
o
t
e
c
t
i
o
n
l
i
n
e
/
B
u
o
y
a
n
c
y
G
o
g
g
l
e
s
g
l
o
v
e
s
/
J
a
c
k
e
t

&
A
p
p
a
r
a
t
u
s
M
e
t
e
r
p
a
r
t
i
a
l
)
H
a
r
n
e
s
s
E
q
u
i
p
m
e
n
t
A
p
r
o
n
t
r
o
u
s
e
r
s
F
i
s
h
i
n
g

W
a
t
c
h
W
o
r
k
i
n
g

d
e
c
k
G
G
I
G
I
I
A
n
y
E
n
g
i
n
e

R
o
o
m
I
I
G
G
I
A
n
y
A
l
o
f
t

G
G
I
I
I
G
A
n
y
O
u
t
b
o
a
r
d
G
I
I
G
G
I
G
r
i
n
d
i
n
g

&

E
n
g
i
n
e

R
o
o
m
I
I
I
G
G
I
c
u
t
t
i
n
g
G
r
i
n
d
i
n
g

&

W
o
r
k
i
n
g

d
e
c
k
I
I
I
G
I
c
u
t
t
i
n
g
E
x
p
o
s
e
d

w
o
r
k
W
o
r
k
i
n
g

d
e
c
k
I
I
I
I
G
I
I
n
c
l
u
d
i
n
g
S
h
o
o
t
i
n
g

a
n
d

h
a
u
l
i
n
g
M
o
o
r
i
n
g
W
o
r
k
i
n
g

d
e
c
k
I
I
I
I
S
t
o
w
a
g
e
/

h
a
n
d
l
i
n
g

F
i
s
h

R
o
o
m
I
I
S
t
o
w
a
g
e
R
e
f
r
i
g
e
r
a
t
e
d
I
I
G
I
F
i
s
h

R
o
o
m
B
a
t
t
e
r
y

E
n
g
i
n
e

R
o
o
m
I
I
G
I
I
m
a
i
n
t
e
n
a
n
c
e
B
a
t
t
e
r
y

W
h
e
e
l
h
o
u
s
e
I
I
G
I
I
m
a
i
n
t
e
n
a
n
c
e
L
o
a
d
i
n
g
/
W
o
r
k
i
n
g

d
e
c
k
I
I
I
u
n
-
l
o
a
d
i
n
g

F
i
s
h

B
o
x
e
s

&

I
I
l
i
f
t
i
n
g

G
e
a
r
A
n
y
E
n
c
l
o
s
e
d

s
p
a
c
e
I
V
e
s
s
e
l

I
n
s
i
d
e
I
I
G
m
a
i
n
t
e
n
a
n
c
e
O
u
t
s
i
d
e
I
I
I
G
G
*
Y
o
u

m
a
y

f
i
n
d

t
h
i
s

c
h
e
c
k
l
i
s
t

h
e
l
p
f
u
l

i
n

c
o
n
s
i
d
e
r
i
n
g

w
h
a
t

y
o
u

n
e
e
d

t
o

d
o

t
o

p
r
o
t
e
c
t

a
g
a
i
n
s
t

i
n
j
u
r
y

i
n

h
a
z
a
r
d
o
u
s

s
i
t
u
a
t
i
o
n
s
.

I
t

m
a
y

a
l
s
o

h
e
l
p

y
o
u

t
o

c
o
m
p
l
y
w
i
t
h

r
e
g
u
l
a
t
i
o
n
s
.

M
S
N

1
7
3
1

(
M
+
F
)

i
d
e
n
t
i
f
i
e
s

a

f
u
l
l
e
r

r
a
n
g
e

o
f

w
o
r
k

a
c
t
i
v
i
t
i
e
s
,

t
h
e

P
P
E

r
e
q
u
i
r
e
d

a
n
d

s
e
t
s

o
u
t

t
h
e

s
t
a
n
d
a
r
d
s

r
e
q
u
i
r
e
d

f
o
r

t
h
o
s
e

i
t
e
m
s

o
f
p
r
o
t
e
c
t
i
v
e

c
l
o
t
h
i
n
g
.
I
m
e
a
n
s

a

h
i
g
h

p
r
i
o
r
i
t
y

i
t
e
m
/
e
s
s
e
n
t
i
a
l
G
m
e
a
n
s

a

p
r
i
o
r
i
t
y

d
e
p
e
n
d
a
n
t

u
p
o
n

t
h
e

l
o
c
a
l

c
i
r
c
u
m
s
t
a
n
c
e
s

a
n
d

t
h
e

l
o
c
a
t
i
o
n
E
x
a
m
p
l
e
5
A
n
n
e
x

2

F
o
r

C
r
e
w

o
f

L
a
r
g
e
r

F
i
s
h
i
n
g

V
e
s
s
e
l
s

(
2
4

m
e
t
r
e
s

R
e
g
i
s
t
e
r
e
d

L
e
n
g
t
h

a
n
d

O
v
e
r
)
A

G
u
i
d
e

t
o

P
e
r
s
o
n
a
l

W
o
r
k
i
n
g

G
e
a
r

a
n
d

P
r
o
t
e
c
t
i
v
e

G
e
a
r

f
o
r

F
i
s
h
e
r
m
e
n

B
a
s
i
c

C
h
e
c
k
l
i
s
t

t
o

P
r
o
t
e
c
t

A
g
a
i
n
s
t

I
n
j
u
r
y

*
W
O
R
K
I
N
G

G
E
A
R
P
R
O
T
E
C
T
I
V
E

G
E
A
R
S
P
E
C
I
A
L
I
S
T

P
R
O
T
E
C
T
I
O
N
A
C
T
I
V
I
T
Y
L
O
C
A
T
I
O
N
O
i
l
s
k
i
n
s
B
o
i
l
e
r
W
o
r
k
G
l
o
v
e
s
H
a
r
d
E
a
r
S
a
f
e
t
y
L
i
f
e
j
a
c
k
e
t
/
S
a
f
e
t
y
R
u
b
b
e
r
I
n
s
u
l
a
t
e
d
B
r
e
a
t
h
i
n
g
O
x
y
g
e
n
(
a
n
d

S
u
i
t
B
o
o
t
s
H
a
t
P
r
o
t
e
c
t
i
o
n
l
i
n
e
/
B
u
o
y
a
n
c
y
G
o
g
g
l
e
s
g
l
o
v
e
s
/
J
a
c
k
e
t

&
A
p
p
a
r
a
t
u
s
M
e
t
e
r
p
a
r
t
i
a
l
)
H
a
r
n
e
s
s
E
q
u
i
p
m
e
n
t
A
p
r
o
n
t
r
o
u
s
e
r
s
F
i
s
h
i
n
g

W
a
t
c
h
W
o
r
k
i
n
g

d
e
c
k
G
G
I
G
I
G
A
n
y
E
n
g
i
n
e

R
o
o
m
I
I
I

I
A
n
y
A
l
o
f
t

G
I
I
G
A
n
y
O
u
t
b
o
a
r
d
G
I
I
I
G
G
G
r
i
n
d
i
n
g

&

E
n
g
i
n
e

R
o
o
m
I
I
I

I
I
c
u
t
t
i
n
g
G
r
i
n
d
i
n
g

&

W
o
r
k
i
n
g

d
e
c
k
G
I
I
I
G
I
c
u
t
t
i
n
g
E
x
p
o
s
e
d

w
o
r
k
W
o
r
k
i
n
g

d
e
c
k
G
I
I
I
I
n
c
l
u
d
i
n
g
S
h
o
o
t
i
n
g

a
n
d

h
a
u
l
i
n
g
M
o
o
r
i
n
g
W
o
r
k
i
n
g

d
e
c
k
G
I
I
I
S
t
o
w
a
g
e
/

h
a
n
d
l
i
n
g

F
i
s
h

R
o
o
m
I
I
S
t
o
w
a
g
e
R
e
f
r
i
g
e
r
a
t
e
d
G
I
I
I
F
i
s
h

R
o
o
m
B
a
t
t
e
r
y

E
n
g
i
n
e

R
o
o
m
I
I

I
I
I
m
a
i
n
t
e
n
a
n
c
e
B
a
t
t
e
r
y

W
h
e
e
l
h
o
u
s
e
G
I
G
I
I
m
a
i
n
t
e
n
a
n
c
e
L
o
a
d
i
n
g
/
W
o
r
k
i
n
g

d
e
c
k
G
G
I
I
I
u
n
-
l
o
a
d
i
n
g

F
i
s
h

B
o
x
e
s

&

I
I
l
i
f
t
i
n
g

G
e
a
r
A
n
y
E
n
c
l
o
s
e
d

s
p
a
c
e
G
I
G
G
V
e
s
s
e
l

I
n
s
i
d
e
I
I
G
m
a
i
n
t
e
n
a
n
c
e
O
u
t
s
i
d
e
I
I
I
G
*
Y
o
u

m
a
y

f
i
n
d

t
h
i
s

c
h
e
c
k
l
i
s
t

h
e
l
p
f
u
l

i
n

c
o
n
s
i
d
e
r
i
n
g

w
h
a
t

y
o
u

n
e
e
d

t
o

d
o

t
o

p
r
o
t
e
c
t

a
g
a
i
n
s
t

i
n
j
u
r
y

i
n

h
a
z
a
r
d
o
u
s

s
i
t
u
a
t
i
o
n
s
.

I
t

m
a
y

a
l
s
o

h
e
l
p

y
o
u

t
o

c
o
m
p
l
y
w
i
t
h

r
e
g
u
l
a
t
i
o
n
s
.

M
S
N

1
7
3
1

(
M
+
F
)

i
d
e
n
t
i
f
i
e
s

a

f
u
l
l
e
r

r
a
n
g
e

o
f

w
o
r
k

a
c
t
i
v
i
t
i
e
s
,

t
h
e

P
P
E

r
e
q
u
i
r
e
d

a
n
d

s
e
t
s

o
u
t

t
h
e

s
t
a
n
d
a
r
d
s

r
e
q
u
i
r
e
d

f
o
r

t
h
o
s
e

i
t
e
m
s

o
f
p
r
o
t
e
c
t
i
v
e

c
l
o
t
h
i
n
g
.
I
m
e
a
n
s

a

h
i
g
h

p
r
i
o
r
i
t
y

i
t
e
m
/
e
s
s
e
n
t
i
a
l
G
m
e
a
n
s

a

p
r
i
o
r
i
t
y

d
e
p
e
n
d
a
n
t

u
p
o
n

t
h
e

l
o
c
a
l

c
i
r
c
u
m
s
t
a
n
c
e
s

a
n
d

t
h
e

l
o
c
a
t
i
o
n

m
e
a
n
s
,

o
r

a

b
u
m
p

c
a
p

a
s

a

h
i
g
h

p
r
i
o
r
i
t
y

/
e
s
s
e
n
t
i
a
l
6