Interorganizational Operations in Norwegian Fish Farming: A Study of Personnel Safety for Subcontractor and Fish Farming Employees

This study explores risks affecting personnel safety in Norwegian salmon farming, one of the most hazard-prone industries in the country. Norwegian salmon farming companies rely heavily on subcontractors, including well boats, slaughter vessels and specialized service vessels. Some fish farm operations where subcontractors are key actors, such as delousing, are complex as there are many people and vessels involved, and high-energy equipment such as pumps and cranes are used. While challenges for personnel safety in Norwegian salmon farming are well documented, risk factors related to subcontracting in fish farming has not been sufficiently explored in previous research. Earlier research from other industries has shown that in operations where actors from different organizations are involved, several safety challenges can arise. In fish farming operations, considerations regarding fish welfare, environmental impact and safety for workers must be made, and collaboration and cooperation is crucial. Based on 20 interviews and a field observation conducted in 2025, challenges are identified related to safety in fish farm work operations involving subcontractors. The findings are structured according to themes related to safety and collaboration identified in earlier research on interorganizational safety: economic pressures, disorganization, dilution of competence, organizational differences and inadequate regulatory controls and the ability of workers to organize to protect themselves. The results show that key interorganizational safety challenges described in other industries are also relevant in Norwegian fish farming. However, results show that the fish farming industries have additional challenges related to operational requirements of ensuring fish-welfare and a fragmented regulatory framework that does not sufficiently counterweigh efficiency pressures in the operation. Suggested takeaways for improving occupational health and safety are presented related to the planning phase, the performance of operations, and coordination and regulations.

Keywords: Interorganizational operations, interorganizational safety, subcontractors, operations at sea, fish farming, aquaculture.