Nationwide Maritime Injury Attorneys Help Seamen Hurt by Their Work Environment
As a hardworking seaman, heavy lifting, awkward postures, repetitive motions, and fatigue are just a few factors that can take a toll on your body over time. But what if there was a way to make your work environment safer and more comfortable?
That's where the concept of ergonomics comes into play. Maritime employers can significantly reduce the risk of injuries like repetitive strain, back problems, and more by optimizing workspace design and equipment. Here, our maritime lawyers explain how this may be done and what to do if you suffer an injury at sea.
5 Ways Proper Workspace Design Can Prevent Injuries for Maritime Workers
Workspace design should:
- Encourage neutral postures. When possible, seating options and equipment should be adjustable to promote good posture and alignment for workers of various sizes. This helps prevent back or neck strain.
- Reduce awkward motions. Well-placed equipment means less reaching, bending, and twisting to complete tasks. This minimizes the strain put on ligaments and joints.
- Cut down on excessive force. Proper tools, lift assists, and adaptive equipment can make lifting and carrying safer. Workers are less likely to overexert themselves or make sudden motions that lead to injuries.
- Make tasks more efficient. Tidy, well-organized spaces allow for smooth workflows and fewer accidents or mistakes. Improved efficiency can help combat fatigue and keep workers in a normal, safe rhythm.
- Consider worker comfort. Comfortable working temperatures, non-slip flooring, and vibration reduction in seats and equipment prevent discomfort-related injuries. While this isn’t always possible onboard a vessel, efforts should be made to keep workers comfortable and safe.
Common Types of Maritime Injuries Caused by Poor Ergonomics
Poor workspace design may lead to injuries, such as:
- Repetitive strain injuries. Motions you repeat hour after hour, day after day, can wear down tendons and soft tissues in the hands, wrists, arms, legs, neck, shoulders, or back. Conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, and bursitis fall into this category.
- Neck and back problems. Strained muscles, ruptured discs, and pinched nerves often occur when workers must lift heavy objects and do not use proper lifting techniques.
- Broken bones, lacerations, and head injuries. Cluttered spaces, uneven surfaces, and hard-to-reach equipment increase the risks of tripping, stumbling, slipping, or losing your balance on the job.
Uncomfortable environments aren't just physically taxing. They also lead to mental fatigue, increasing the chance of mistakes, accidents, and injuries.
What to Do if You're Hurt on the Job Due to Poor Workspace Ergonomics
Not all maritime injuries can be prevented. If you’ve been hurt, we encourage you to:
Report it promptly. Let your supervisor know about the injury as soon as possible, even if you think it's minor. This creates an official record and timeline.
- Get medical care. Early medical treatment can treat your pain, prevent the issue from worsening over time, and be critical evidence in your claim. Follow your treatment plan closely.
- Document everything. Keep copies of accident reports, medical records, and any communication with your employer about your injury. This paper trail can be vital evidence.
- Consult a maritime injury attorney. An experienced lawyer can review your case, explain your legal options, and fight to get you the compensation you deserve.
- File your claim. Your attorney can help you take action, whether that means filing for maintenance and cure, seeking damages under the Jones Act, or pursuing other remedies.
Why Turn to the Nationwide Maritime Attorneys at Hofmann & Schweitzer?
On this issue about ergonomics in the maritime workplace, we have researched and found numerous standards and rules that guide how maritime work spaces should be constructed and equipped, including from the American Bureau of Shipping, one of the most influential inspection and safety regulation services in the world.
When you're hurting after an ergonomics-related injury on the job, you need a law firm with the knowledge, experience, and resources to advocate for your interests fiercely. That's precisely what you'll find at Hofmann & Schweitzer.
Our accomplished maritime injury attorneys have been fighting for hardworking seamen like you for decades, and we know the industry inside and out. We don't shy away from tough cases, and we're not afraid to take on big employers and insurers in pursuit of justice. You can count on us to give your case the time and attention it deserves.
