Working on the water in any capacity can bring with it a number of risks and hazards – risks that the Jones Act was designed to help prevent and mitigate. But no matter how many legal protections may be in place, accidents can still happen while working on the sea, and cargo ships are a common source of these accidents.
From employer negligence to the carelessness of coworkers, accidents on cargo vessels and any boat working in international waters are increasingly common and often tragic. We’ve seen any number of accident causes in our time spent fighting for your rights as a team of maritime injury attorneys, but if you’re curious to learn more about the dangers of this industry, we’ve compiled a list of the five most common hazards, accidents, and injury causes among cargo ships:
Cargo Shift: One of the most common hazards on bulk carriers – and one of the most dangerous – cargo shift is generally seen on vessels carrying cargo that can settle during transit, such as grain, food products, or even some raw construction materials. While the products settle, they may leave empty space that wasn’t present before which could make the cargo shift as the vessel charts its course, creating a hazard for anyone near the cargo if it isn’t properly stored or locked down.
Falling Cargo: In a similar vein, any cargo that isn’t properly affixed that could fall from a great height is also a large contributing factor to cargo ship injuries. Whether from the conveyor belt of the shiploader, the crane loading the cargo, or even during transit if proper safety steps haven’t been taken, cargo falling from a great height is a constant threat to the safety of any nearby maritime worker and great care needs to be taken to prevent these accidents.
Turbulent Seas: This one probably sounds a little obvious, but while turbulence can affect any vessel in navigation it presents a special challenge and hazard to cargo ships. Fierce currents, violent storms, and strange changes in ocean topography can make any vessel in navigation unstable, and if you combine these circumstances with the other risks present on cargo ships you’ve got a recipe for trouble if proper safety steps aren’t taken…or if a negligent employer doesn’t properly maintain their vessel.
Maintenance Issues: Boats have a number of maintenance steps that need to be taken in general, and cargo ships are no exception. The nature of the goods that cargo ships can carry – chemicals, raw materials, food products – can cause increased structural issues. Residue from previous cargoes or chemicals can cause corrosion and chemical hazards with crucial systems on the boat like bilge systems and plumbing. Salt can absorb moisture and contribute to rust, and sugar can ferment to create a safety hazard or attract vermin. Preventative measures need to be in place to ensure the vessel is in top shape to ensure safe passage for both its cargo and its crew.
Fire: Even above and beyond specific maintenance issues caused by cargo, any vessel carrying heavy bulk goods are subject to greater fire hazards than typical vessels. Commonly-found cargoes like coal, sulphur, cotton, or even fishmeal are prone to spontaneous heating and could ignite if left unchecked, causing a dangerous and potentially deadly onboard fire. Fire precautions need to be in place to watch for hazards like flammable gas or improperly stored materials that could ignite and start a fire.
These are just a few examples of the many dangers that cargo ship seamen can face during their time in navigation. If you’ve been the victim of these or any similar cargo ship hazards and you need the services of a tough and experienced Jones Act lawyer to fight for you in court, contact O’Bryan Law today.
