Guidance for improving health and safety
Updated 23 February 2024
© Crown copyright 2024
This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.
Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.
This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fisheries-and-seafood-scheme-guidance/guidance-for-improving-health-and-safety
1. Introduction
Funding in this area in this area will support high standards of health and wellbeing, safety, hygiene, and working conditions across the catching, processing and aquaculture sectors
Funding can be applied for under the following measures:
- M3 Enhancing the quality and/or the adding of value of aquaculture products
- M23 Improving Health and Safety on board vessels
- M34 Processing of fisheries and aquaculture products
Please note this information is for guidance only and is not exhaustive or binding. If you are unsure whether an item is eligible, please check the General Guidance and if you are still unsure contact the MMO.
When applying for funding for changes onboard a vessel you must engage with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) to ensure works meet the standards for fishing vessel modifications, including MIN593 (F) pre-approval by MCA.
Details of local surveyors and offices can be obtained from the MCA website.
You must include MCA in the process as work is undertaken, particularly where there may be an impact on stability.
We will send details of submitted applications to MCA as soon as they are received for review but recommend that you discuss the project proposal with MCA before submitting to MMO.
All work undertaken by the owner/skipper of the vessel must meet MCA safety and stability requirements, whether funded by FaSS or otherwise. Responsibility for any work undertaken which renders a vessel unstable or unsafe remains entirely with the owner/skipper of the vessel.
For projects that have the potential to impact vessel stability we require you to supply evidence at the claims stage to demonstrate that you have fully engaged with MCA throughout the project and all works undertaken meet MCA safety and stability requirements. No funds will be paid out unless we receive this confirmation which will be verified with MCA.
2. Projects you can apply for
3. M3 Enhancing the quality and/or the adding of value of aquaculture products (health and safety projects)
3.1 Projects can include:
- Health, safety and wellbeing investments in aquaculture
- Investments in safety equipment on board aquaculture vessels
- Investments to improve the health and wellbeing of employees of aquaculture enterprises
- Investments that improve hygiene of aquaculture facilities, including employee comfort and improvements to communal areas
- Investments that improve employee working conditions to reduce the likelihood of occupational accidents or injuries
3.2 Projects excluded from funding
*Any projects where the primary focus does not relate to the health, safety and wellbeing within an aquaculture setting.
3.3 Result indicators
FaSS result indicators have been designed to measure the benefits delivered by a project. Result indicators are specific to the type of project you are applying for. For projects under M3, Enhancing the quality and/or the adding of value of aquaculture products:
3.4 M3: Enhancing the quality and/or the adding of value of aquaculture products
| Indicator | Information you must provide |
|---|---|
| Change in the number of work-related injuries and accidents | The number of work-related injuries and accidents in the past 12 months, before the project. |
| The change in work related injuries and accidents will be used to determine the project’s success. |
4. M23 Improving Health and Safety on board vessels
Projects can include:
- Investments in safety equipment on board fishing vessels
- Investments to improve the health and wellbeing of crew members on board fishing vessels
- Investments that improve hygiene on board fishing vessels, including crew comfort and improvements to communal areas
- Investments that improve crew working conditions to reduce the likelihood of occupational accidents or injuries
For advice on the eligibility of specific pieces of health, safety and wellbeing equipment please contact the MMO’s Grants Team.
Support shall not be granted more than once during the programming period for the same type of equipment on the same English registered fishing vessel.
4.1 Funding will not be provided for:
- Any piece of mandatory equipment as detailed in the MCA Code of Practice for Safety of Small Fishing Vessels
- Any piece of mandatory equipment as issued by the certifying authority for recreational boats, the Royal Yachting Association (RYA). Please contact the Grants Team at the MMO for further information.
- Winches, haulers or any machines directly related to the fishing operations and assist the activity of fishing.
- Any project that increases the vessel’s ability to catch fish (including but not limited to sonar and chart plotters);
- Projects that increase the power output in kW of the main propulsion engine of the fishing vessel
- Projects that increase the size or capacity of fish rooms.
Please note, this is not an exhaustive list. For advice on the eligibility of specific pieces of health, safety and wellbeing equipment please contact the MMO’s Grants Team.
All vessels under 12m will be eligible for 80% grant funding under the M23 health and safety measure irrespective of their method of fishing.
4.2 Result indicators
FaSS result indicators have been designed to measure the benefits delivered by a project. Result indicators are specific to the type of project you are applying for. For projects under M23, Improving Health and Safety (on board fishing vessels), the following indicators are applicable:
4.3 M23 Improving Health and Safety (on board fishing vessels)
| Indicator | Information you must provide |
|---|---|
| Change in the number of work-related injuries and accidents | The number of work-related injuries and accidents in the past 12 months, before the project. |
| The change in work related injuries and accidents will be used to determine the project’s success. | |
| Employment maintained (FTE) in the fisheries sector or complementary activities | Number of employees working in your business before the project. Expected number of employees working in your business after the project. |
| The expected and actual change in number of employees will be used to determine the project’s success. | |
| Change in net profits | Current profit (£) Expected profit (£) after the project Company accounts for the last 3 years. |
| The expected and actual change in net profits will be used to determine the project’s success. |
Not all FaSS result indicators will be applicable to your project. You will be asked to choose the most suitable indicator to demonstrate the benefits of your project.
Once the project is complete you will be required to provide evidence as part of post project monitoring to show the actual benefits achieved by your project.
5. M34 Processing of fisheries and aquaculture products (health and safety projects)
Projects can include:
- Investments in safety equipment within fisheries or aquaculture processing facilities and premises
- Investments to improve the health and wellbeing of employees of processing enterprises
- Investments that improve hygiene of processing facilities, including employee comfort and improvements to communal areas
- Investments that improve employee working conditions to reduce the likelihood of occupational accidents or injuries
5.1 Projects excluded from funding
- Any projects where the primary focus does not relate to the health, safety and wellbeing within a processing setting.
5.2 Result indicators
FaSS result indicators have been designed so that a projects contribution to key government objectives can be measured. All FaSS project types have specific result indicators depending on the type of project you are applying for. For projects under M34, Processing of fisheries and aquaculture products (health and safety projects), the following indicators are applicable:
5.3 M34 Processing of fisheries and aquaculture products (health and safety projects)
| Indicator | Information you must provide |
|---|---|
| Change in the number of work-related injuries and accidents | The number of work-related injuries and accidents in the past 12 months, before the project. |
| The change in work related injuries and accidents will be used to determine the project’s success. | |
| Change in net profits | Current profit (£) Expected profit (£) after the project Company accounts for the last 3 years. |
| The expected and actual change in net profits will be used to determine the project’s success |
Not all FaSS result indicators will be applicable to your project. You will be asked to choose the most suitable indicator to demonstrate the benefits of your project.
Once the project is complete you will be required to provide evidence as part of post project monitoring to show the actual benefits achieved by your project.
6. Funding available
The minimum and maximum funding available for measures relating to health and safety are outlined below:
6.1 Limits of Funding Available in FaSS Measures
| Indicator | Information you must provide | |
|---|---|---|
| FaSS Measure | Minimum Grant Value Available (£) | Maximum Grant Value Available (£) |
| M3 Enhancing the quality and/or the adding of value of aquaculture products | 500 | 70,000 |
| M23 Improving Health and Safety | 500 | 100,000 |
| M34 Processing of fisheries and aquaculture products | 1,000 | 150,000 |
Every project will require a level of match funding. The level of funding you are required to provide will depend on your business or organisation type.
It is your responsibility to source and provide match funding, such as business loans or cash resources. You must state the source of funding when applying. Before committing your private resources, we recommend you seek independent financial advice.
The amount of money you can apply for will depend on your business or organisation type. There are maximum allocations allowed for each applicant are outlined below:
| Applicant Type | Fass% | Match Funding |
|---|---|---|
| Public | 75 | 25 |
| Private (Micro Entity) | 60 | 40 |
| Private (SME) | 50 | 50 |
| Private (Non-SME) | 30 | 70 |
| Private (SSCF) | 80 | 20 |
| Private (Fishermen’s Associations) | 75 | 25 |
| Private (PO’s) | 75 | 25 |
Grant Rates Key:
All vessels under 12m will be eligible for 80% grant funding under the M23 health and safety measure irrespective of their method of fishing.
SSCF - Small scale coastal fishing – vessels under 12m and not using towed gear;
PO - Producer Organisation;
SME - Small and medium enterprises;