Working on or around a harbour is one of the most physically demanding ways to earn a living. The combination of unpredictable weather, heavy manual handling, long irregular hours, and constant exposure to noise and vibration means that fishing and port workers face a range of occupational health risks that are both serious and, in many cases, preventable. At Vibrant Health Advocates - Onyx, our mission is to make sure workers from Wishaw and across Lanarkshire have the information they need before problems become irreversible. Below are five risks that come up most frequently in our harbour sessions.

1. Musculoskeletal disorders from manual handling

Among the most common issues we hear about. Lifting, pulling, and carrying heavy loads is unavoidable in fishing and port work. Repetitive strain on the back, shoulders, and knees accumulates over years, often without obvious warning signs until something goes seriously wrong.

The key is recognising early discomfort as a signal, not a minor annoyance to push through. Using correct lifting posture, asking for help with awkward or unbalanced loads, and building genuine recovery time into heavy work days are practical steps that cost nothing. If you notice persistent aching after shifts, mention to your GP that you do heavy manual work — it matters for their assessment and referral decisions.

2. Noise-induced hearing loss

This develops slowly and permanently. Engine rooms, generator decks, and quayside machinery are all loud environments, and workers often underestimate just how loud because they have habituated to the sound.

Wearing hearing protection in designated noise zones protects you from a disability you will carry for the rest of your life. If you find yourself raising your voice in conversation after a shift, or struggling to follow speech at normal volumes, ask your GP for a free hearing check.

3. Cold and damp exposure

Prolonged contact with cold wet conditions can trigger Raynaud's phenomenon — a circulatory condition affecting the fingers and toes — and repeated cold exposure increases joint stiffness over time.

Waterproof gloves, dry clothing changes kept accessible on board, and actively warming extremities during any break all reduce this risk meaningfully. It is the kind of protection that feels unnecessary on milder days and essential in retrospect when it has not been used.

4. Fatigue

This deserves more attention than it gets in this industry. Tidal work patterns and pre-dawn starts mean many workers operate on shortened or disrupted sleep.

Fatigue increases accident risk, reduces coordination, and has long-term cardiovascular consequences. Protecting sleep before and after shifts is a safety measure, not a comfort preference. We know it is not always possible on vessel work — but where it is, it matters more than many workers give it credit for.

5. Mental health and social isolation

Serious and under-discussed risks in fishing communities. Time away from family, financial unpredictability, and working cultures that discourage talking about difficulties all create conditions where mental health problems go unaddressed for too long.

Knowing where to go — your GP, NHS 24, or organisations like Fishermen's Mission Scotland — before you reach a crisis point makes all the difference. If any of these issues affect you, our team can point you toward the right support. Our Wellbeing at Sea and Shore programme exists specifically to make those conversations easier to start. You do not need to be in crisis to reach out — coming to one of our sessions when things are manageable is far better than waiting until they are not.