What Is a Longshoreman and What Are Their Responsibilities?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"What](\"https:\/\/wrightgray.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/What-Is-A-Longshoreman.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe longshoreman profession involves several responsibilities and is vitally important to port infrastructure and efficiency. A longshoreman often works with dockyard teams to load and unload cargo. Often, they are responsible for inspecting cargo and ensuring the quality of its contents. For this job, a wide knowledge of different cargo types is key. The job is fast-paced and requires swift, efficient, and careful action. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some additional responsibilities involved in working as a longshoreman can include: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Maintaining awareness of the port surroundings and safety protocols<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Preparing cargo for lifting<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Operating machinery like chainsaws to move cargo<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Ensuring that safety policies and procedures are upheld<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Interacting with hazardous materials <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Due to both the dangerous nature of their work and the long-term wear and tear that can happen due to repetitive movements, longshoremen are prone to accidents and injury. Historically, longshoremen have had the highest injury-frequency rate recorded out of all industries. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Are the Most Common Longshoreman Accidents?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
While dock managers, ship owners, and other port laborers try to work together efficiently and safely, accidents happen regardless. As such, longshoremen can be injured or even killed on the job. Some of the most common longshoreman accidents include: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Falling from a high distance<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Injuries from heavy lifting<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Drowning<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Burns<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Injuries due to crane mishaps <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Chemical exposure<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Equipment failure or malfunction<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Being hit by a forklift or other vehicle<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
These accidents can result in serious injuries and illnesses. Some of these injuries can even lead to long-term disability. Some injuries and illnesses are more common than others for longshoremen. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Four Most Common Longshoreman Injuries and Illnesses<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Every day, longshoremen perform tiresome physical labor, handle hazardous materials, and operate potentially dangerous machinery. The four most common illnesses and injuries that longshoremen experience include: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Traumatic brain injuries from being struck in the head by a force. According to the Mayo Clinic<\/a>, traumatic brain injuries can range from mild to severe, and can even lead to an impairment in physical or mental functioning<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Repetitive strain injuries are not directly caused by accidents on the job, but result from years of repetitive movements like pulling cables, working on assembly lines, or loading and unloading cargo <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Back injuries from lifting heavy weight. If severe, back injuries can be debilitating and cause long-term health consequences<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Occupational illnesses through long-term exposure to hazardous materials. This can manifest as serious conditions like brain, kidney, or lung cancers as well as Leukemia<\/a> or Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
This list is not exhaustive, however, and there is a myriad of injuries and accidents that can afflict a longshoreman<\/a><\/strong>. The medical expenses and distress associated with such injuries and illnesses can be burdensome. Seeking compensation for these expenses is possible, however, and can reduce this burden.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat Is the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What is a longshoreman entitled to when they experience an injury on the job? Due to the dangerous nature of the job and the sheer number of accidents that occur per year, the United States government enacted the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act<\/a> (LHWCA) to compensate workers who work on or adjacent to United States waters. The LHWCA is a federal law that provides medical care and vocational rehabilitation services provided to employees who experienced injuries due to maritime employment.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe longshoreman profession involves several responsibilities and is vitally important to port infrastructure and efficiency. A longshoreman often works with dockyard teams to load and unload cargo. Often, they are responsible for inspecting cargo and ensuring the quality of its contents. For this job, a wide knowledge of different cargo types is key. The job is fast-paced and requires swift, efficient, and careful action. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some additional responsibilities involved in working as a longshoreman can include: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Maintaining awareness of the port surroundings and safety protocols<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Preparing cargo for lifting<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Operating machinery like chainsaws to move cargo<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Ensuring that safety policies and procedures are upheld<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Interacting with hazardous materials <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Due to both the dangerous nature of their work and the long-term wear and tear that can happen due to repetitive movements, longshoremen are prone to accidents and injury. Historically, longshoremen have had the highest injury-frequency rate recorded out of all industries. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Are the Most Common Longshoreman Accidents?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
While dock managers, ship owners, and other port laborers try to work together efficiently and safely, accidents happen regardless. As such, longshoremen can be injured or even killed on the job. Some of the most common longshoreman accidents include: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Falling from a high distance<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Injuries from heavy lifting<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Drowning<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Burns<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Injuries due to crane mishaps <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Chemical exposure<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Equipment failure or malfunction<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Being hit by a forklift or other vehicle<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
These accidents can result in serious injuries and illnesses. Some of these injuries can even lead to long-term disability. Some injuries and illnesses are more common than others for longshoremen. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Four Most Common Longshoreman Injuries and Illnesses<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Every day, longshoremen perform tiresome physical labor, handle hazardous materials, and operate potentially dangerous machinery. The four most common illnesses and injuries that longshoremen experience include: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Traumatic brain injuries from being struck in the head by a force. According to the Mayo Clinic<\/a>, traumatic brain injuries can range from mild to severe, and can even lead to an impairment in physical or mental functioning<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Repetitive strain injuries are not directly caused by accidents on the job, but result from years of repetitive movements like pulling cables, working on assembly lines, or loading and unloading cargo <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Back injuries from lifting heavy weight. If severe, back injuries can be debilitating and cause long-term health consequences<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Occupational illnesses through long-term exposure to hazardous materials. This can manifest as serious conditions like brain, kidney, or lung cancers as well as Leukemia<\/a> or Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
This list is not exhaustive, however, and there is a myriad of injuries and accidents that can afflict a longshoreman<\/a><\/strong>. The medical expenses and distress associated with such injuries and illnesses can be burdensome. Seeking compensation for these expenses is possible, however, and can reduce this burden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Is the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What is a longshoreman entitled to when they experience an injury on the job? Due to the dangerous nature of the job and the sheer number of accidents that occur per year, the United States government enacted the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act<\/a> (LHWCA) to compensate workers who work on or adjacent to United States waters. The LHWCA is a federal law that provides medical care and vocational rehabilitation services provided to employees who experienced injuries due to maritime employment.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Traumatic brain injuries from being struck in the head by a force. According to the Mayo Clinic<\/a>, traumatic brain injuries can range from mild to severe, and can even lead to an impairment in physical or mental functioning<\/li>\n\n\n\n