Electrical systems are crucial to the safe and profitable operation of all vessels in the maritime industry. A ship is essentially a floating city, and electricity is needed to run everything from lights and navigation systems to heavy equipment such as winches, cranes, and conveyor belts. Unfortunately, a fault in any one of these systems could cause severe or even fatal electrical maritime injuries.
Maritime Workers Can Suffer a Wide Range of Electrical Injuries
Electrical hazards are generally a result of a live wire or a short circuit. Workers can suffer contact with live electrical parts many different ways, such as malfunctioning equipment, lack of fencing or posted warnings, inadequate repair or maintenance, or untrained workers attempting to fix electrical issues.
Without proper safety precautions, seamen and harbor workers may suffer:
- Fire injuries. Small sparks can quickly lead to open flames, and ship fires must be put out quickly in order to avoid a tragedy. Even a contained fire can lead to smoke inhalation injuries, burns, eye injuries, scarring, or falls overboard.
- Electric shocks. Shocks occur when there is an unexpected flow of electricity through the human body, such as a saw blade striking an electric cable or brushing against frayed wiring or live circuit boards. When the voltage is extremely high, workers may suffer death by electric shock (electrocution).
- Fall injuries. A sudden electric shock from live wires, circuit boards, or cables can propel a victim several feet, leading to fall injuries such as head trauma, broken bones, or drowning.
- Collisions. If lights and navigation systems fail, a vessel may be invisible to other ships while sailing at night. The vessel may accidentally drift into docks, harbors, or other ships, especially if the power outage has affected radio and wireless communication systems.
- Punctures and struck-by injuries. Defective electrical tools may suddenly stop and restart, causing an unintentional discharge from a nail or staple gun. A malfunctioning forklift may have its lights fail or engine stall, rolling over nearby workers.
If you or someone you love has been hurt at sea, the maritime injury attorneys at Hofmann & Schweitzer can determine who may be liable for the accident and what you are owed under the law. Call 1-800-3-MAY-DAY today to or download your complimentary copy of Are You a Seaman Injured in a Maritime Accident? Know Your Rights.
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