Yes, working in a shipyard is dangerous. While there may be many benefits to the work, including the income you can earn and the rewarding work that you will do, there are also specific dangers you need to know about.
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) the injury accident rate among shipyard workers is more than twice what it is for general industry—including construction.
What This Means For You
It does not mean that you should not take the job. Instead, it means that you should make sure that:
- You are well trained for the work that you are doing.
- You work for an employer who cares about safety and who provides all the appropriate safety equipment and training to workers.
- You know what to do if you are injured.
It is possible to recover from some shipyard injuries.
But You Have to Know How
After you see a doctor and have a plan to recover physically, you will likely need to see a lawyer to develop a plan to recover financially. You may have lost a significant amount of income if you are hurt and can’t work, and you may be incurring significant medical bills. However, the law may allow you to recover from your lost income due to your work injury.
For more information, please read our FREE publication, The Legal Rights Of Injured Seamen, Dockbuilders, Dredgemen And Other Commercial Mariners: Ten Important Questions Answered , and please start an online chat with us now.
