Danger Is Lurking: 4 Things You Should Know About Maritime Slip And Fall Accidents

There are laws governing slip and fall accidents that occur in the maritime industry, and there are a bit different from normal workers’ compensation cases.

Slip and fall accidents are very common because of the nature of maritime work. They can occur just about anywhere: scrapping, repair, construction, cruise lines, docks, and shipyards, just to name a few.

Things To Know About Slip And Fall Accidents

Frequency Of Slip And Fall Accidents

According to statistics of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, slip and fall accidents make up about 43% of maritime injuries. Despite all of the measures that are put into place to try and increase safety, these injuries still occur. That’s why it’s important for your maritime accident attorneys to get on your case as soon as possible so that they can provide you with the recompense that you deserve.

Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevent also estimate that maritime workers suffer injuries at double the rate of workers in other industries. They have a fatality rate of five times higher than the overall United States workforce.

Common Causes Of Slip And Fall Accidents

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has determined the most common causes of injuries in maritime workers, including those present on ships and in shipyards. These hazards include:

• missing grates or plates
• deck openings that are improperly closed or marked
• services lines/hoses running across decks
• single planks being used to gain access to work areas
• access cuts to remove/install ship components not being properly marked or closed

In addition to these hazards, moving vessels on open water and changes in the weather also contribute to creating slip and fall risks.

Who Is Responsible For Maritime Injuries?

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has created safety standards for the maritime industry that should be adhered to as much as possible. According to these standards, the employers are the ones responsible for maintaining the safety of work environments, including:

•  warning workers of hazards/risks that haven’t been removed
• removing hazards/risks to the best of their abilities
• providing workers with the proper equipment to ensure their safety
• training workers on the safety protocols that should be adhering to

Ways To Prevent Slip And Fall Accidents

In addition to sticking to the safety protocols created by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, there are additional steps that can be taken, such as wearing the proper footwear to deal with unsteady and wet surfaces, using the handrails when moving through the different areas of ships, and placing signage in the right areas to warn anyone nearby of any hazards.

Taking these appropriate steps can help to minimize the frequency of slip and fall accidents to keep you or your employees safe.

If you are involved in the maritime industry, it’s important to have the knowledge of a maritime injury lawyer on your side. You want to ensure that your rights are being protected and that you have recourse should an accident occur.