Previously published in the Summer 2004 SDAFS Newsletter and will
be published again in the Winter 2004 SDAFS Newsletter

WHEREAS, fisheries workers often perform field sampling subject to extreme weather conditions;

WHEREAS, fisheries workers may use hazardous chemicals, entanglement gear, electricity, mechanical equipment, and power tools in the course of their job duties;

WHEREAS, fisheries workers frequently trailer and work with boats, which are confined work environments often crowded with sampling gear;

WHEREAS, fisheries workers may be required to dive underwater to collect biological information;

WHEREAS, formal comprehensive safety training programs are standard in the private sector, these companies have recognized the importance of these programs and provide adequate staff and funding to ensure proper safety training of their employees;

WHEREAS, there are state and federal laws that require that employers to provide a safe work environment to minimize situations and employee actions which could result in serious bodily harm, disability and death and employers have stated their intention to provide such in their safety policies;

WHEREAS, employees are the most important resource of any company/agency/institution and that the mental and physical health of each employee affects their ability to contribute to the mission of their employer;

WHEREAS, we live in a litigious society and state agencies may not be subject to protection from wrongful death and other lawsuits due to absence of sovereign immunity;

BE IT RESOLVED, the Southern Division of the American Fisheries Society, assembled at its annual meeting on this 11th day of February in the year 2005 at Virginia Beach, Virginia strongly recommends that all employers of fisheries professionals and students commit the necessary staff and financial resources to the development of comprehensive and on-going safety training programs that address all hazardous aspects of assigned job duties.