Accidents common to seafarers out at sea

Specific types of accidents are common to those at sea.

January 10, 2014 /24-7PressRelease/ -- No one wants to sustain injuries while out at sea. Employees of ships know that the work can be taxing and sometimes, accidents may occur. This is true even when safety precautions are taken.

Despite safety regulations that have been implemented at sea, some accidents continue to reoccur on ships all over the world. For this reason, it helps seafarers to be aware of such hazards and avoid them at all costs.

Man overboard: The "man overboard" problem is one of the most frequent dangers at sea. This type of incident occurs when a person drops into the water. Seafarers are familiar with this issue and generally know how to handle this type of situation. However, when violent waves or bad weather comes into the mix, the accident can be life threatening. For example, if the water is very cold, the victim's body temperature could drop quickly, leading to hypothermia or even death. For this reason, those at sea should respond quickly when a crewmember falls overboard.

Confined spaces: Another common calamity involves confined space accidents. This occurs frequently on board ships and has resulted in many personal injury claims. Confined space accidents occur when the crew of a ship enters a narrowed area, which has pockets of flammable and toxic vapors. If proper entry procedures are neglected, this risks crewmembers' lives. Therefore, those on the water should be cautious when entering enclosed areas.

Electrical shock: Electrical shock accidents have also caused injury and death at sea. When electrical connections are ignored, exposed wires can be dangerous. It is imperative that the vessel and its crew take proper safety precautions when dealing with electrical tools.

Explosions: Moreover, shipping accidents occur when systems and machinery are not properly maintained. This can lead to explosions, which compromise the ship and harm workers. Major blasts, including compressor blasts, boiler blasts and crankcase explosions, have claimed the lives of many seafarers in previous years.

Falls: Accidents can also occur when seafarers fall from significant heights. Crewmembers are frequently required to work high above the ground. While workers are supposed to wear harnesses and safety gear, many crewmembers have died due to falling or slipping accidents. Most of these mishaps are the result of pure negligence. If appropriate safety precautions are not taken, this will increase the risk of falling.

These incidents identify just a few perils, which are common at sea. Those on the water should be comfortable -- but not too comfortable. When employers of seamen begin to overlook crucial safety steps, this is when accidents happen. On land, state laws govern personal injury claims. However, if you are injured at sea, the matter will fall under maritime law. To learn more about what to do pursuant to a shipping accident, contact an experienced maritime law attorney.

Article provided by The Krist Law Firm, P.C.
Visit us at www.kristmaritimelaw.com/

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