4 ways to prevent maritime accidents

On Behalf of | Dec 7, 2022 | Offshore accidents

Maritime careers are perfect for individuals who love to work on the water. Unfortunately, these seafaring adventures come with many dangers.

Between 2011 and 2017, 15.9 per 100,000 maritime workers suffered fatal injuries, and about 4,916 per 100,000 workers suffered from non-fatal injuries. 

Employers and employees can take measures to reduce common maritime accidents, and here are four of them.

Ensure proper training procedures

Employers should make sure that crew members receive proper training in their positions. For instance, they need to be knowledgeable in machinery, preventive maintenance and navigational equipment.

Do everything possible to reduce fatigue

Many accidents with maritime jobs — or any type of job — occur because workers get little to no sleep. If a maritime worker is too sleep-deprived to perform at their best, they should get adequate rest before operating machinery. When feasible, they can arrange for a replacement ahead of time to stand in for them.

Teach workers about risk management/assessment

Ship collisions and hazardous weather conditions are a couple of factors that contribute to maritime accidents. Employers can help maritime workers deal with these dangers by training them in risk management and assessment techniques like monitoring ship traffic and environmental surroundings.

Practice responsible medication use 

Some workers with certain medical conditions need to have remedies on hand at all times. With that said, taking the wrong medication (or using it inappropriately) can lead to perilous consequences while operating a vessel. Before taking prescription or over-the-counter medicine, mariner workers should consult their doctors.

Even with the best procedures in place, illnesses and/or injuries can still happen. Have you or someone close to you suffered a moderate or severe injury in a maritime-related occupation? If so, consider reaching out to legal assistance. You or your loved one may qualify for mariner workers’ compensation.