Posted by : attorney stevelee

Accidents Caused by Failure to Train Maritime Employees

When an office employee makes a mistake on the job, no one is likely to get hurt. But mistakes in the maritime industry can be life-threatening. There are numerous regulations intended to protect maritime workers from injury, but accidents still occur.

Many of these accidents are a consequence of inadequate training. According to Occupational Safety and Health Administration guidelines, employers have an obligation to provide proper and thorough training before work begins.

The Importance of Training

The maritime industry routinely exposes employees to hazardous conditions, but the work environment becomes even more dangerous when they’re not provided with sufficient occupational and safety training.

Maritime workers should receive:

  • Safety inspection training
  • Repetitive stress injury prevention instruction
  • Emergency response training
  • Safety equipment instruction
  • Machinery operation training

Accidents Caused by a Lack of Training

When maritime workers aren’t properly trained to work aboard tankers, operate tugboats, process fish, or load and unload cargo ships, the risk of accidents increases dramatically.

Accidents frequently caused by a lack of adequate training include:

  • Falling overboard
  • Machinery and equipment accidents
  • Falls from platforms
  • Conveyor belt accidents
  • Slips, trips, and falls
  • Fires and explosions
  • Capsized vessels
  • Exposure to harmful substances

Jones Act Claims

Maritime employers are required to provide workers with proper training under the Jones Act, and failure to do so renders a vessel unseaworthy. If you’ve been injured at work because you or your coworkers received inadequate or no training, you have the right to pursue an unseaworthiness claim. The Jones Act may apply to accidents that occurred when an employee was overworked or tired; was misinformed of his job duties; lacked proper training; or used unsafe working methods.

Pursuing a Jones Act claim is complicated, and you need a maritime accident attorney with the skills and experience necessary to help you receive the compensation you deserve. To learn more about what the law offices of Steve M. Lee, P.C., can do for you, visit us on Facebook.

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