Under the Jones Act, seamen have the right to a “safe place to work.” A large body of rules and regulations has been established over the years to ensure this right is observed. These safety statutes and standards cover all aspects of shipboard operations, from the rigging of cranes to the elimination of dangerous trip or slip hazards aboard the vessel. For example, under Coast Guard regulations all walkways aboard ship must be properly marked.
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Hazards Administration (OSHA) also maintains a body of safety statutes and standards that apply to ships and sea platforms. OSHA regulations require owners and operators to maintain onboard equipment and machinery in good working order. In addition, potential hazards, such a ladders, hatches and low overheads, must be clearly marked to increase their visibility and avoid injury to crewmen.
Ignoring safety statutes and standards places an owner or operator of a ship in violation of the Jones Act or other maritime law. If you or someone you know has been injured due to a ship or facility owner’s seeming indifference toward maritime law and ignoring safety statutes and standards, a specialized maritime attorney from Johnson Law Group can help you get any compensation to which you are entitled.
