The Reasons Behind Common Causes of Maritime Accidents

The maritime industry plays a vital role in supporting us globally. It is responsible for transporting goods, people, and products by sea. Therefore, cruise ships, oil tankers, container ships, passenger ferries, and fishing boats are all part of the maritime industry.

Therefore, the maritime industry makes some essential contributions, including economic, global trade, resource extraction, environmental protection, cultural and recreational value, and security and defense. However, the industry also has high risks of injury and accidents, many of which go unreported.

As we commend maritime workers who work long hours under harsh circumstances, we must also understand their rights—starting with the most common causes of maritime accidents that must be avoided and eliminated.

Maritime Workers Face Exposure to Toxic Chemicals

Toxic chemicals are prevalent in the maritime industry and often result from both the cargo ship and the cargo itself.

Often, these toxic chemicals do not emit a noticeable odor, which makes them all the more dangerous because workers only realize they have been exposed to them once they have been adversely affected and harmed by them.

Poor ventilation on ships is the most common reason for exposure to toxic fumes and chemicals. Furthermore, the lack of training and protective equipment contributes to the extreme safety hazards caused by harmful chemicals.

The inhalation of toxic fumes has a particularly detrimental effect on the eyes and skin. Poor treatment can lead to severe burns forming on the injured maritime worker and often blindness. Therefore, the maritime industry's lack of eyewash and first aid centers is a significant concern.

Furthermore, the accumulation of toxic fumes in congested, unventilated areas can harm workers and the ship or space by resulting in fires or explosions. This is why taking all the appropriate measures when securing and transporting chemicals is essential.

Maritime Workers Face Injuries Due to Improper Material Handling

The forces of nature cannot be controlled or faced by anyone or anything without significant risks—and this is true even for giant ships.

 Because of the strength of the sea, vessels tend to change direction and move abruptly and harshly at any given time- including rolling, surging, heaving, swaying, and pitching.

The following are several dangers and injuries maritime workers may face when handling or moving cargo when the sea gets rough.

• Broken bones: If heavy cargo topples on a worker, it often results in shattered bones, which can become fatal if proper aid is not provided immediately.
• Loss of limbs: It is not uncommon for cargo or materials that weigh thousands of pounds not to be adequately secured. This creates the risk of containers crushing workers during dangerous water endeavors, resulting in the amputation of limbs, most commonly the fingers.
• Head injuries: Workers not only have to move cargo manually but also use a crane, and the plummeting of shipments during these processes often results in head injuries, mainly when workers have not been provided or trained to wear headgear.
• Nerve and muscle damage: The human body comprises nerves and muscles, and when a worker is injured while handling materials, the nerves or muscles may be damaged. Unlike most hairline fractures, recovering from nerve or muscle damage can sometimes take years.

Maritime Workers Face Injuries Due to Constant Repetitive Motions

The maritime industry can require workers to repeat the same tasks for extended periods without providing them with sufficient breaks. Such repetitive tasks can strain workers and lead to overexertion, which may result in repetitive motion disorders or repetitive strain injuries.

Some circumstances that increase the risk of repetitive strain injuries (RSI) include vibrating equipment, cold temperatures, maintaining the same posture for a prolonged period, carrying heavy loads and materials, overusing a specific or group of muscles, vibrating equipment, and applying pressure to a particular area on the body.

When maritime workers work under such circumstances or conditions, they are at a greater risk of developing repetitive strain injuries. It may particularly affect the nerves of the hands, wrists, elbows, and shoulders.

Maritime Workers Face Injuries Due to a Lack of Proper Training

Since the world has become dependent on the operations of the maritime industry, it has resulted in a soaring demand that suppliers need to meet, along with high turnover rates. This puts pressure on workers and the industry to work ruthlessly and consistently, and providing workers with proper training is often overlooked as a priority.

The lack of importance given to developing the vast skill set professionals require to operate and maintain a vessel effectively leads to a high margin for human error in the industry. The following types of training must be adequately provided to prevent human error and injuries.

• Insufficient safety training: The most crucial aspect of safety training is teaching workers' observational awareness. If workers cannot observe the potential dangers around them, they can not take the appropriate measures to prevent injuries.
• Inadequate machinery training: Many types of machinery are used on and off a ship to ensure operations run smoothly. These include cargo-handling equipment like cranes, forklifts, and conveyors and engine and propulsion systems like engines, propellors, and thrusters. Using various mechanical equipment can create danger for the operator and those around it unless they are adequately trained to handle it.
• Lack of training about operating systems: Operating systems are one of the most crucial parts of a ship. Therefore, to run the operations smoothly, individuals must be well-trained with technical knowledge.

Laws Protecting Maritime Workers

The maritime industry's laws differ vastly from those of other industries, since it is a high-risk industry that exposes workers to great dangers. Therefore, if a maritime worker has been injured, it is crucial to contact a maritime injury law firm to review and help build your case.

It is highly recommended to have a law firm specialized in maritime injuries to support your case because they will be equipped with all the right expertise to help you gain the compensation and protection you deserve.

Conclusion

Valuing your employees is essential to achieving a successful and independent business. This is why providing them with high-quality benefits, adequate training, and sufficient breaks is crucial. Furthermore, if an unpreventable accident occurs, the employer must continue to value the employee's contributions by compensating the injured sufficiently.