More than 400,000 employees are hired in the US maritime industry, comprising a variety of different fields such as aquaculture, seafood processing, marine terminals and marine transportation. However, the occupation also comes with its own variety of dangers and risks, with having a fatality rate 4.7 times higher than all workers in the US. Workers are exposed to sometimes unfavorable weather, possible vessel accidents, and working in a confined space.
Among all the potential work hazards, the most common accidents or injuries are slipping and falling, or drowning. Drowning is an especially prevalent case for a majority of maritime workers as the nature of their work involves being around water. As the maritime industry is considered to be among the jobs to be high risk in the nation, taking the proper safety precautions is strongly advised.
What causes maritime drowning
According to the Maritime Injury Guide, there are various potential factors that can result in drowning. These range from slips and falls, vessel sinking, lack of employee training, exhausted workers, and faulty equipment. It is noted that not all drowning accidents occur when workers go overboard while at sea. There were cases that happened to workers meeting drowning accidents as vessels were tied to the dock, or doing routine transit. What the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) found was that most drowning incidents are the result of workers not wearing any life jackets.
How life jackets save lives
From the reports that OSHA had gathered, a majority of workers met with accidents due to lacking any life jackets or functional life jackets. The use of life jackets are incredibly vital for water-related activities as they help reduce the risks of drowning. What makes life jackets especially helpful is the buoyancy they provide when in the water. They are able to help keep you afloat on the occasions that you unexpectedly end up in the water, even if you are tired or cold, and are useful for those not adept at swimming.
Choosing a good life jacket
Selecting a good life jacket means selecting one that’s suited to your body. First is examining the size: on whether it’s appropriate for your weight and chest size, and if you can float properly with it. It must also be suitable for the type of activity you will be engaging in, and must be in good condition for you to use. You need to check if the life jacket is comfortable for you to wear, as well if it's Coast Guard approved. While inflatable life jackets may be more comfortable, they are not recommended for people who do not swim. Most importantly, life jackets must be easily accessible, especially in the case of an emergency.
For maritime workers, life jackets are a necessity. In the reports that have been mentioned, owning or wearing a life jacket can significantly increase an employee's safety while on duty. As the name indicates, life jackets can help save lives by preventing workers from drowning. Though there may be various risks in the job, providing the proper equipment and preparing for the precautions can help facilitate a better and safer work environment.
