Common Equipment Accidents aboard Commercial Barges

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) offers maritime safety rules for barge operators and workers to prevent ship accidents from occurring. One of the biggest hazards aboard a barge is the moving equipment on top deck, which can easily fall under disrepair if not maintained and used properly.

Machinery aboard a barge should undergo all routine maintenance and any damages should be reported immediately. Workers should always do a safety check to ensure that the equipment they are using is in good condition before operating. Proper training is also important in keeping workers safe from machine accidents.

Some of the most common reasons workers are injured in machine accidents include: 

• failure to properly anchor equipment;
• lack of safety gear;
• rusted, broken or otherwise damaged equipment;
• lack of functional emergency shut-offs;
• use of proper guard rails on deck; and
• other workers using equipment they are not trained to operate. 

Certain types of equipment have unique hazards, such as the danger of a line on a winch snapping and striking a nearby worker. Many of these hazards can be prevented with proper training, maintenance and safety precautions.

While maritime safety rules are in place for barge owners and workers to follow, negligence of these rules often results in a serious injury. A ship accident caused by neglecting barge maritime safety rules can result in the need for a Jones Act attorney to help you file a claim of liability against your employer.

Injured in a Ship Accident? Contact a Jones Act Attorney

The Jones Act provides you with certain protections your employer may not want you to know about. A Jones Act attorney from The Young Firm in New Orleans, Louisiana, can help you if your employer violated maritime safety laws for barges and you suffered a serious injury in a ship accident.

Though we are based in Louisiana, we are ready and able to help injured victims throughout the U.S. Order our free Maritime Injury Law guide and/or our guide to what to do when you are injured offshore to learn all about your rights as an injured worker.

If you are asking what is the Jones Act in regards to your maritime injury claim we urge you to contact us today for a FREE case evaluation – call 1-504-680-4100 or toll-free at 1-866-938-6113.