Common Issues With Marine Docks
Dock workers face various safety risks while they make their living; far more than the average worker. The fatality rate for the maritime transportation industry is 4.7% higher for dock workers than for all US workers. There are many common issues with marine docks that go unmitigated. In this article, you will learn about the risks that dock workers face, the dock worker organization that works to improve safety conditions on docks, and the dangers associated with marine dock hardware.
Dock Workers
Dock workers keep the everyday operations of harbors running smoothly. They repair the piers, load cargo, and assist with mooring ships.
Dockworkers can suffer various injuries with varying long-term effects if safety precautions are not put into place and encouraged. Described below are some of the most common issues with marine docks that dock workers face.
Cargo
The action of loading and unloading cargo, day after day can lead to knee, neck, and back injuries over time. The repetitive strain of manual labor over many years can cause debilitating pain.
There is also the risk of falling cargo. A cargo container falling on a dock worker can cause compression injuries, fractures, and even amputations.
Machinery Risks
Dock workers need to work with heavy machinery. If safety precautions are not followed, whether for the sake of efficiency, complacency, or other reason, injuries can result in death. Even if dock worker does everything right, they can not control the people around them and they can not control freak accidents. Proper training, awareness, and communication are necessary to keep all dock workers safe.
Slip and Fall
It is a simple type of accident, but it can have major consequences. Docks are nearly constantly wet meaning they are slippery. Falling is easy and if guard rails are not present, it is just as easy to fall into the water where the dock worker could drown.
Even near-drowning incidents can result in life-long lung issues. Debris in the water creates an even greater risk. It might make surfacing difficult, increasing the chance of drowning. The debris could cut the dock worker. Even if the cut is not deep, there is a large chance that infection could later set in. Even if they do not fall into the water, a dock worker is still at risk for injuries varying from a minor sprain or bruise to a major concussion.
Fires and Explosions
Dock Workers come into contact with flammable and combustible materials and work with heavy machinery. If they are not adequately contained or maintained, dock workers are subject to severe, debilitating burns. Fighting fires is also more difficult near the water. Firefighters can not maneuver around the fire and the open space allows for it to spread more quickly.
Lack of Proper Safety Equipment
Dock workers should have enough safety equipment in an accessible location so that they can act quickly in the event of an emergency. Unfortunately, many docks are ill-equipped. Every dock should have throwables like life preservers. Fire extinguishers should be available near every boat and within quick reach. Dock workers need to be trained on how to properly use safety equipment.
Dock Workers Organization
The International Longshoreman’s Association, ILA, is a dock workers organization dedicated to the well-being of dock workers on the Atlantic, great lakes, Gulf Coasts, major United States rivers, Puerto Rico, and Eastern Canada. It is the largest Maritime worker union in North America, representing more than 65,000 dock workers.
The ILA sends out a quarterly safety bulletin with safety reminders. One reminds workers to wear personal protective equipment like hard hats, eye protection, safety vests, and steel-toe boots and harnesses when working in conditions where injuries are common.
This dock workers organization works hard to ensure that all dock workers do not face undue risk of injury while working.
Marine Dock Hardware
While just being on the dock comes with a slew of dangers, the marine dock hardware itself can pose a threat to dock workers.
Crates
Crates are large shipping containers. Getting these crates from point A to point B is no easy task. It requires a lot of coordination and a giant crane. The crane takes the shipping container from a truck and places it on a boat. While the person operating the crane is at risk for a fall injury, the people below are at risk of the crate falling. If the crane is not maintained properly or operated improperly, many people are at risk for serious injury.
Beyond improper crane operation, crates can cause injury when not secured properly to the boat. They could shift and crush a dock worker under one ton of weight.
Gangway
The gangway is used by dock workers to board ships. If the gangway is not maintained properly, the ropes can snap and dock workers can fall. If they fall in the water, they face drowning risks in addition to hitting debris.
Welding
Welding is a common, but dangerous endeavor that many dock workers need to complete. In addition to personal protective equipment like safety glasses and welding gloves, a welding safety screen is a good idea. On docks, workers are often at the mercy of their co-workers. A safety screen puts a barrier between the welder and those in the surrounding area limiting the amount of exposure a bystander has to the welder.
Solutions for Common Issues With Marine Docks
Safety is a combination of training, awareness, and a lack of hazardous conditions. Both workers and management need to be on board for safety measures to be effective. If management imposes safety standards but workers do not adopt them for the sake of avoiding change, there will be accidents. If management expects dock workers to complete tasks quickly despite safety concerns, people will get hurt. Safety is a continuing process and can always be improved upon.
If you want to improve the safety of your marine dock employees, consider Singer Safety’s products. Noise is a common issue with marine docks. Singer Safety offers noise control systems to lower noise levels. They also offer partitions so that your marine dock can maximize its available and usable space. Contact Singer Safety with any questions or to get a quote for your marine dock.
