Unlike office jobs, working offshore is very dangerous. A slight mistake in the maritime industry can lead to severe harm or injuries. Most workers in maritime industries understand this, and various precautionary measures are taken to avoid maritime accidents.
However, research suggests that various factors heighten the risk in the maritime industry, but the major contributor to maritime and offshore accidents is improper training of employees. Put briefly, many offshore accidents occur as a result of inadequate training.
Why is Training Important for Offshore Workers?
Operations in the maritime industry are typically dangerous. Offshore workers are often exposed to hazardous conditions, which puts their health and life at risk. In the same vein, a worker who isn’t adequately trained is likely to make a mistake that may be not only dangerous but also life-threatening.
However, studies suggest that proper training of workers is one of the ways that can help prevent maritime accidents. Such training helps avoid mistakes that may lead to harm.
There are numerous regulations that may apply to offshore workers. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines, which can apply to maritime activities, provide that employers must provide adequate training to the employees. This can be done in the following ways:
- Emergency response training
- Machine operation Training
- Safety inspection training
- Safety equipment instruction
Types of Accidents Caused by a Lack of Training
Following a maritime accident, an investigation is typically carried out to determine the cause. Oftentimes, these investigations point to the fact that the offshore worker injured in the accident wasn’t adequately trained.
Some of the common accidents that have frequently been reported as a result of lack of adequate training include:
- Fires and explosions
- Capsized ships
- Slips and falls
- Machinery and equipment accidents
- Falling overboard
- Conveyor belt accident
The Employer’s Obligations in Relation to Safety Training
The law sets out to protect maritime employees from any danger that may arise inherently in the workplace. To use an example, the OSHA guidelines and maritime law provide that all maritime workers are entitled to proper training to put this into perspective. Such training encompasses the skills and safety procedures necessary to carry out offshore operations.
Employers are typically responsible for the safety of employees, and they are required to provide safety training and, at the same time, keep a record of safety incidents and injuries.
Understanding your Worker’s Rights
If you are a maritime worker, you are entitled to proper and adequate training that will help you carry out your work seamlessly and avoid injuring yourself or others. When an employer doesn’t provide this crucial instruction to you and your co-workers, they put you at a greater risk of suffering harm and serious injuries.
Any time there is inadequate training that leads to you getting injured, you may be entitled to compensation after a maritime accident. This compensation following an offshore accident enables you to recoup your losses and other expenses incurred while off the job.
Jones Act Claims
The Jones Act is one of the most important laws that sets out to protect maritime workers injured offshore. This Act has a mandatory provision that requires all employers to provide workers with proper training, and failure to do so renders a vessel unseaworthy.
As such, if you’ve been injured in a maritime accident because you didn’t receive adequate training, you may be eligible to pursue a claim under the Jones Act. However, this legislation is complex. Given that complexity, you should always have a maritime accident attorney help you understand your rights.
Injured in a Maritime Accident Resulting from Lack of Training? Contact a Maritime Accident Attorney
If you or your loved one is injured in an offshore accident that would have been prevented by adequate training, it is vital to take measures to safeguard your right to receive compensation.Hiring a competent and qualified attorney is the first step to safeguarding your interests. Contact The Mahone Firm today to schedule a free case evaluation.
