Importance of PPE for Maritime Workers
October 22, 2019
Personal protective equipment (PPE) protects workers from certain health and safety risks while they are on the job. From helmets, goggles, and gloves to safety boots, respirators, and masks, PPEs are crucial to workplace safety, particularly in certain industries where workers are exposed to a range of potentially dangerous hazards. Maritime workers face a range of workplace hazards every day, including machine accidents, slip and fall accidents, fires and explosions, and asbestos exposure. According to a study by researchers in Singapore and Australia, the proper use of PPEs can significantly reduce workplace injuries for maritime workers.
Results of the Study
Researchers surveyed 354 maritime workers in Singapore, China, South Korea, and Vietnam to determine the impact of PPEs on risk factors, such as age, risk awareness, experience, and PPE availability. They found that PPE availability had the greatest potential to decrease the likelihood of injuries. Researchers also found the following results:
- Fourteen percent of respondents said that they were injured at least once during their most recent tour of duty.
- Four percent said that they did not receive adequate PPE training. This group experienced an injury rate that was up to 33 percent higher than other respondents.
- Eighteen percent of respondents said that their employers did not share incident lessons with the crew as often as they should.
According to the co-author of the study, shipping is critical to the success of the world trade industry. Therefore, it is vitally important that maritime workers are safe, and that their work environment is free of potentially dangerous hazards. To decrease injury probability for maritime workers, the researchers made the following recommendations:
- Make sure that the PPEs aboard the vessel are well-stocked, in good working order, and free of any defects.
- Provide all workers with the appropriate training based on the PPEs that they are using.
- Notify workers about the common injuries associated with a particular task, and the risk assessment results.
- Make sure that there are visible warning signs at the sites of potential hazards.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are over 400,000 maritime workers employed in the United States. They work in commercial fishing, marine transportation, and at shipyards. Commercial fishing is considered one of the most dangerous jobs in the United States, and maritime workers in water transportation have a fatality rate that is 4.7 times higher than that of all other workers in the country. PPE is important for maritime workers to protect themselves from serious workplace injuries.
Baltimore Workers’ Compensation Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Represent Injured Maritime Workers
If you are a maritime worker who was injured on the job, you are urged to contact the Baltimore Workers’ Compensation lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton as soon as possible. We are committed to securing the maximum financial benefits you deserve, including medical expenses, lost wages, and disability benefits. Protecting your rights is our top priority. To schedule a free consultation, call us today at 844-556-4LAW (4529) or contact us online. Located in Baltimore, we serve clients throughout Maryland.
