Cargo and Crane Accidents in the Maritime Industry

Cargo and crane accidents in the maritime industry are unfortunately common. They can be caused by operator errors, mechanical failures, poor training, and lack of safety equipment, and training can all contribute to accidents while cargo is loaded or unloaded. If you are injured by cranes or cargo on a ship or in a port as a maritime worker, you have a right to seek compensation. 

About Cranes and Cargo Loading and Unloading on Ships

Shipping is a big part of the maritime industry. Many people work on or around container ships, loading and unloading cargo, often using large cranes.

Even with other kinds of ships, loading and unloading are routine, and cranes are utilized for ships of all types and sizes to move cargo and supplies efficiently and quickly.

Some of the kinds of cranes used in the maritime industry include:

• Bulk handling cranes
• Deck cranes
• Floating cranes
• Gantry cranes
• Hammerhead cranes
• Overhead cranes
• Tower cranes

Cranes are often used to load and unload cargo from ships, including container ships, dry bulk ships, general cargo ships, and car carriers. These vessels carry all kinds of cargo, from food and dry goods to petroleum products, vehicles, and toxic chemicals and hazardous materials.

Injuries Caused By Cargo Loading and Unloading

Container and cargo shipping is a big industry requiring many workers to load and unload cargo from ships of all sizes. In container shipping, huge cranes hoist railroad containers onto and off large ships.

Smaller cranes may be utilized in ports with smaller cargo containers. Some cargo loading and unloading is done by hand, with workers carrying loads on and off boats.

Regardless of the size of the operation or the equipment used, there are inherent risks for this kind of work, which is done mainly by longshoremen and harbor workers. For those workers moving cargo by hand, without the aid of equipment, the injury risks include:

• Repetitive motion injuries
• Joint damage
• Back and neck injuries
• Broken bones
• Cuts and scrapes
• Head injuries

Cargo-related injuries can occur in several ways:

• Being struck by loose or falling cargo
• Falling into the water when struck by cargo
• Being struck by faulty equipment
• Being hit by a vehicle moving cargo
• Using improper lifting and moving techniques

The Risks of Working with Cranes in Maritime Jobs

When cranes are used for cargo, the injuries can be much more severe. Dropped loads represent a serious hazard that can cause injuries and fatalities.

Cranes can overturn if improperly used or poorly secured. A falling crane can cause extensive property damage, injuries, and even fatalities.

Cranes can also fail and cause significant harm if the boom collapses or comes into forceful contact with other equipment, including electrical lines.

Other risks include being hit by moving cranes or vehicles in the crowded shipping port. Longshore workers are also at risk of falling into the water and possibly drowning in a crane accident. 

What Causes Crane and Cargo Accidents? 

Many sources of error can lead to accidents with cargo loading and cranes. These are some of the most common.

Operator Error

One of the leading causes of accidents involving cranes for loading and unloading shipping cargo is operator error.

Crane workers in this industry must be highly skilled and trained to use machinery safely and effectively. If a worker has not been adequately trained, they may make a mistake and cause an accident.

A fatigued worker may also cause accidents by making an error of judgment or even falling asleep on the job.

Poor communication can also lead to operator error. Crane operators must be in radio contact with other workers to ensure smooth and safe loading and unloading.

Mechanical Problems

Mechanical errors are another common source of cargo and crane accidents. A machine may malfunction because it has not been adequately maintained or repaired when it should have.

If any part of the equipment isn’t working right, the machine becomes dangerous to everyone around it. A malfunctioning crane can quickly drop a load or swing out of control and hurt someone.

Improper Stowage of Cargo

Accidents with cargo that do not involve a crane may happen because the load is improperly stowed aboard a ship. Shifting cargo, for instance, can come loose and hurt someone.

Workers carrying and lifting cargo may have accidents if they are not wearing appropriate safety gear or have not been trained to lift and carry safely.

Cargo that contains hazardous materials, like toxic chemicals, may also cause exposure accidents if not stored correctly.

Examples of Accidents and Injuries with Cargo and Cranes

There are too many examples of workers in the shipping industry getting hurt or even killed because of cranes or cargo.

Inadequate Safety Training and Communication

In an example of poor safety training, a turbogenerator was lifted by a crane to a barge when a lifting lug weighing 75 pounds fell and struck a worker. The accident was fatal.

The error came in safety procedures. The workers were removing nut-and-bolt assemblies from the generator when it was suspended over them. They should have known that doing so was unsafe.

A lack of communication also contributed to the accident. The workers thought the assemblies were connected to the generator and didn’t realize they would fall when removed.

Operator Error

Another incident describes how worker error can lead to an accident. Longshore workers were unloading aluminum bars from a ship using a crane. The workers were not experienced in using the particular lifting system and didn’t secure the load well enough.

As the person operating the crane that lifted and moved the bars swung the load out toward the pier, one of the bars fell. It weighed 1,300 pounds, struck a worker on the ground, and killed him.

The workers moving the bars were not trained with their equipment. They were also not the preferred method for moving the cargo from the ship.

Vehicle Accident

Yet another tragic longshoreman fatality occurred in a busy, high-traffic port when a truck struck the worker. The worker tripped and fell into the path of the truck.

He may have tripped because of a surface inappropriately cluttered with items. There were no witnesses to the fall, but the incident illustrates just how hazardous the environment of a port for loading and unloading cargo can be.

The crowded area of a harbor or port is full of risks and dangers, and this example illustrates just how cautious workers need to be.

Improperly Secured Cargo

In another cargo-loading incident, workers were loading 2,000-pound rolls of paper pulp onto a cargo ship. A worker loading this cargo used a truck to transport the rolls from a warehouse to the ship, where a crane would lift them onto the ship.

One roll in his load was damaged, and he stopped the truck to fix it. With the rolls lifted in the air but not properly secured, he and other workers repaired the underside of one of the rolls.

Another roll fell from the truck, struck the driver, and killed him. This tragic accident could have been avoided with proper loading and transporting procedures. The workers had been using equipment that was not correct for securing the rolls to the truck.

What Are My Rights If I Am Injured by a Crane or Cargo? 

If you work as a longshoreman in a port or as a seaman aboard a ship carrying cargo, you do a dangerous job. Any number of errors or missed opportunities for safety precautions could lead to an accident that causes injury or death.

Thanks to maritime laws, you can seek compensation if you are injured on the job. You can get money to cover your medical expenses, to pay the wages you lost from not being able to work, and possibly even extra money for pain and suffering, depending on your situation and whether negligence can be proven to have been involved.

The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act may apply to your situation. This federal law provides qualified workers with a way to be compensated after an injury.

You or your loved ones may find it challenging to navigate maritime laws and fight for your rights. Your loved ones also have a right to compensation if you are killed doing this dangerous work. You can rely on the expertise of a maritime lawyer to guide you through the claims process and to represent you as you try to get the money you are owed.