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The Dangers of Shipbreaking

Until the late 1990s, most of the work involved in dismantling ships was sent overseas. Now, the number of shipbreakers – or workers who dismantle vessels – is rapidly increasing in the United States. Accordingly, OSHA released new guidance in 2010 about Safe Work Practice for Shipbreaking.* The guidance provides specific instructions to employers to help keep maritime workers safe in the dangerous profession of shipbreaking.

The Shipbreaking Process

There is a lot involved in the breaking down or dismantling of a ship. Typically, the process starts when a vessel is moved away from a fleet and taken to a pier, anchored, or beached by itself. Then large sections of the boat are cut away and taken to shore for further dismantling. The process is dangerous and requires careful planning to avoid serious, potentially fatal maritime injuries.

What are the Dangers to Shipbreakers?
According to OSHA, some of the dangers involved in shipbreaking are: safety, health and environmental issues, including exposure to asbestos, toxic fumes, hazardous materials, noise, falling objects, lead and electrical shock, as well as dangers associated with heat stress, falls, heavy materials handling and fires.

Shipbreaking employers have a legal responsibility to take specific precautions to protect shipbreakers from incurring these injuries, and they have legal responsibilities to provide first aid response, medical evaluations and medical treatment to those who have been injured while dismantling a ship.

What to Do if You’ve Been Hurt

Any shipbreaker who has been injured in any of these ways or in any other manner should contact an experienced maritime injury lawyer for advice. The New York City maritime lawyers of Hofmann & Schweitzer represent injured maritime workers across the country and would be pleased to discuss your rights with you if you have been injured while shipbreaking. Contact us today at 1-800-3-MAY-DAY or via our online contact form for more information.

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