Aboard ship,
longshore workers are confronted with dangerous conditions created by careless
ship owners in cargo holds and on deck.
Stevedore company superintendents expect longshoremen to get the job
done no matter how dangerous.
Lashing gangs are expected to unlash or lash an entire ship in short
order so the work of unloading can begin or the ship can sail on time. Many of the ships are owned and
operated by foreign companies who do not follow American safety standards, and
some of the ships are ready for the scrap yard.
Harbors and
ports are busy place with the potential for chaos everywhere. Container terminals sprawl for hundreds
of acres and heavy equipment congestion prevails. Hundreds of teeming highly paid highly skilled
employees-clerical workers, marine clerks, foremen, mechanics, heavy equipment
operators, handlers, crane operators, and more-all work under tremendous
pressure to get the unloaded/loaded and back to sea. Unique hazards that are common in the longshore industry
include falling loads, working on the top of cargo containers. Outside truckers in a hurry to find
their load and get on the road are a danger to longshoremen in the yard. Defective or poorly maintained
equipment can malfunction and cause injuries.
Longshoremen
suffer many injuries including, asphyxiation, blindness, traumatic brain
injury, hearing loss, repetitive trauma, burns, amputation, broken bones, back
and neck injuries, paralysis, and more.
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