Basic knowledge about injury on vessels

There are five common kinds of injury on vessels:

1. seafarers sometimes break their arms and legs when they slip or fall. These accidents happen when they don’t wear safety boots or when decks are wet and oily. Seafarers also fall when ladders are not secure. To prevent broken arms and legs, it is important to wear safety boots.
2. Seafarers sometimes strain their backs when they lift heavy objects. Back strain usually happens when seafarers lift the object alone or when they don’t use lifting equipment properly. To prevent back strain, it is important to lift properly.
3. Seafarers sometime suffer from burns when there is a fire, explosion or chemical spill. Seafarers need to be careful when they smoke or when they work with chemicals. To prevent burns, it is important to obey “No Smoking” signs and to handle chemical cargoes safely.
4. Seafarers sometimes suffer from cuts. They often cut their fingers when they are careless with sharp machinery. To prevent cuts, it is important to use safety guards and to wear gloves.
5. Seafarers sometimes injure their eyes when they work with machinery. Dust, sparks and chemicals are very dangerous when they enter the eye. To prevent eye injuries, it is important to wear protective goggles.

Risks to the health and safety of workers must be identified and assessed. It will often not to possible to remove all risks, but attention should be given to control measures which make the working environment and working methods as safe as reasonably practicable.