Preventing Offshore Hand Injuries

Whether you work as a deckhand on a Mississippi River barge or as a crewmember on an oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico, your job requires the use of your hands.  A hand injury is both painful and inconvenient, but hand injuries are among the most common on-the-job injuries suffered by seamen.  However, many hand injuries can be avoided if safety precautions are taken.  Here are some steps you can take to prevent hand injuries while on-the-job.

• Use extra caution when working near machinery, moving structures, and parts.
  
• Do not use tools or machinery that you have not been trained to use.
• Use care when lifting cargo or other heavy items.
• Be aware that metal drums, pipes, lines, winches, forklifts, and crates can cause hand injury. When working, watch for pinch points.
• If appropriate, wear protective gloves.
• If your job requires repetitive motions, take breaks to give your hands a rest.
• Use caution when working with electricity, steam or hot objects.

 
Learn more about hand injuries in our article: "Offshore Hand Injuries: A Louisiana Jones Act Lawyer Discusses Your Rights"
 
If you or someone you care about has suffered from a hand injury while working offshore, the maritime injury attorneys at The Young Firm would like to help you get fair compensation. Contact The Young Firm at 866-938-6113 and ask to schedule a free consultation to discuss your claim.