In many ways, the risks that workers face on a ship are similar to the ones that they would face in any other profession. A worker could fall from a ladder while climbing on a construction site or climbing up to the next level of a freighter. A worker could be injured by heavy equipment when using a conveyor belt on a ship or in a warehouse.
But there are also ways in which working on the ship presents additional risks or at least changes what those risks look like. One thing to be wary of is the greater chance of being involved in a slip-and-fall accident. This can lead to very serious injuries, such as broken bones, traumatic brain injuries and much more.
Slick floors
For one thing, there’s always the threat of a floor being slick or slightly wet when a worker doesn’t expect it. This is especially problematic if the worker is moving from one type of flooring to another. This often causes people to slip and fall, and there is simply no way to guarantee that all floors will be dry and safe at all times.
The movement of the ship
Another thing to consider is that the movement of the ship itself can make it more likely that someone would slip and fall. Even when the ship is not actively in a storm, rolling waves can cause the deck to tip back and forth. If this happens unexpectedly, someone could easily lose their footing and fall. Of course, there is also a severe risk of injury if the ship is caught in a storm and this motion is more exaggerated.
What are your options?
If you are working on a ship and you suffer a serious injury, it’s critical that you understand all the legal options at your disposal.