Working at a dock in any of Texas’s harbors comes with a lot of challenging conditions that put workers at risk. Being aware of these threats can put you in a better position to avoid them and know how to deal when the unfortunate happens. Here are the top five challenging conditions you might face as a dock worker.
1. Slips and trips
Docks that have inadequate lighting; badly placed equipment, ropes and cables; icy, wet or uneven surfaces; and poor housekeeping practices pose a great threat to dock workers. When workers slip or trip, they can suffer from dislocated bones, concussions and other minor injuries.
2. Falls
Docks with inadequate holds, hatches and deck ladders or unfenced edges and wharves could lead to fall injuries. Falling from heights into the water body could also lead to drowning and cause death.
3. Fatigue
Fatigue is one of the major causes of longshore and maritime accidents. If you work for long hours with inadequate rest, your performance will be reduced, putting you and others at great risk of injury. When you feel exhausted, drowsy or sleepy, stay away from the docks, and more importantly, don’t operate any machinery.
4. Lifting and moving heavy things
The process of lifting and moving things puts pressure on your muscles, bones, nerves, ligaments and tendons. If you do it repeatedly without giving your body sufficient time to rest and recover, you will start experiencing pain that can even put you out of work.
5. Chemicals on the dock
Workers at the dock are exposed to chemicals all the time. Things like silicates, sulfates, carbon from diesel and other gases put your health in danger. You can suffer from cardiovascular and respiratory diseases like atrial fibrillation or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, just to mention a few.
You may be eligible for workers’ compensation in Texas if you get injured on the dock. It’s important to learn about the procedures you must follow to get your recompense.