Louisiana Maritime Law Blog

While onshore oil rig workers don't work at sea, they put their lives on the line for their job just like offshore employees do. In fact, data published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows that those who work on oil rigs have a higher risk of nonfatal injuries than those who are employed in many other professions.

One factor that puts oil rig workers at risk for getting hurt is fatigue. Employment data compiled by BLS shows that individuals who work in this profession work as many as 12 hours a day for as long as two weeks without any days off. These long hours often leave them feeling fatigued, a factor which affects their reaction times and leaves them more vulnerable to having an accident.

Many of the facts remain murky concerning the recent cruise ship death of a woman who allegedly was choked and then tossed over the topmost deck of the Royal Princess cruise liner.

The woman, 52, fell or was pushed off of the sixteenth deck of the cruise ship at approximately 4 a.m., while the ship was enroute from Curaçao to Aruba. She hit the lifeboat docked on the seventh deck. The impact severed the victim's leg. It's unclear whether the fall killed her or whether she died as a result of being strangled.

The Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (LHWCA) was drafted to protect any worker who became disabled while working in the navigable waters of this country. It gives anyone who works in certain industries access to vocational rehabilitation services, medical care and reimbursement of lost wages.

Anyone who works in a traditional maritime occupation, including shipbuilders, breakers and repairers, is covered by the LHWCA. Those who work harbor construction and longshore workers qualify to receive benefits as well. Some non-maritime workers are also covered if their injuries occurred in the navigable waters.

Tugboats are often seen alongside barges, container ships helping to tow them in and out of the harbor, cleaning up an oil spill, hauling away oil or helping film crews working at sea. What many do not know about tugboat crew members, though, is how they often put their health and safety at risk by working long hours and handling such varied tasks.

One injury that deckhands on tugboats have to cautious of is getting their fingers caught underneath the line that they use to keep the boat steady or the winch line that they use to keep a firm grip on their loads. Once it's tied tight to the boat's bow or affixed to what they're towing, it becomes particularly rigid. There are instances when the pressure of these lines has severed deckhands' fingers.