5 Common Dry Dock Incidents: Are You In Danger?

A dry dock will always be considered a challenging environment to work in and that is why it is essential that robust safety protocols are in place and followed at all times.

As a maritime accident attorney about dry dock incidents and they will quickly tell you that accidents are far too common and the injuries you might sustain could turn out to be truly life-changing, and might even threaten your life when the accident is really serious.

Here is an overview of some of the most common causes of dry dock accidents.

The threat of fire

Accidental fires are always a clear and present danger in such a volatile environment and the enclosed conditions heighten the prospect of fire.

A classic scenario that could easily lead to a fire would when inadequate safety procedures such as a lack of ventilation when welding work is being carried out or where combustible materials are being stored.

If oil tankers are not cleaned properly it is another situation that could lead to a fire.

The threat of hazardous materials and gases

It is not hard to see why dry dock accidents and injuries are more commonplace than they should be when you see how a typical environment design makes it difficult to achieve a good level of airflow.

Repair work in a dry dock has a tendency to release hazardous gases and vapors and without proper ventilation, it could cause dry dock workers to be exposed to the risk of dangers such as asphyxiation or even hypoxia in extreme conditions.

Repair and maintenance work is carried out daily in a dry dock and if health and safety procedures are exposed to weaknesses it raised the prospect of increased exposure to risk that threatens your health and safety.

Slips and falls

One of the reasons why a dry dock is such a dangerous working environment is the fact that there tends to be plenty of water around and that creates a very real threat of slipping and falling.

Without a proper cleaning regime, any water or other liquids such as oil that are regularly found in dry docks could cause you to suffer a damaging fall.

The prospect of machinery accidents

Repair work is constantly being scheduled in a typical dry dock environment and heavy machinery and equipment are usually needed to carry out this work.

The range of machinery found in a dry dock can vary greatly and that is why it is essential that a program of maintenance and operator training is adhered to.

In the absence of adequate training or poor maintenance, the prospect of an accident occurring is raised.

Signage is important

A lack of clear signage is going to pose a threat to safety when you are working in a dry dock.

Good building safety protocols should always include regular checks to assess potential safety issues and a willingness to implement steps that create a safe working environment.

It stands to reason that if there is a lack of proper signage it is going to raise the prospect of an accident happening.

How dangerous is your dry dock and isn’t it time you reviewed your safety procedures?