The UK as an island has a large number of docks and therefore dockyard workers. Some of these docks are historic and are known around the world such as the docks in southern England at Portsmouth, which has over eight hundred years of naval history and is home to the majority of the countries naval fleet and historic ships such as HMS Victory, HMS Warrior and the Mary Rose.
Other docks around the country such as the docks in Southampton are where some of the world’s largest cruise ships dock and sail from. At the majority of dockyards large amounts of freight leave and enter the UK.
Dockyard workers are often referred to as dockers. To be a dockyard worker being physically fit is of great advantage along with skill and experience of operating dockyard machinery which is also very important. If you suffer an accident as dockyard worker that was not your own, you may be able to pursue a dockyard worker injury compensation claim.
In today's docks large containers are used to carry huge volumes of goods. They are taken to a customer's location by vehicles know as staddle carriers. The customer then fills or empties the container upon which it is taken back to dock. When the container arrives back at the port, it needs to be lifted on or off a ship as quickly as possible; cranes are used to do this. Cranes are one of the main reasons for accidents happening on the dock and an injury claim for a crane accident being made, but they are essential due to the practicality and speed that they offer. Speed is important as container owners want them at the port for the least amount of time possible and because speed is one of the main factors by which ports/docks are judged.
In today's docks, unlike hundreds of years ago, machines such as cranes have replaced the role of many men and are the biggest reasons for accidents and workers pursuing dockyard worker injury compensation.
Whatever machinery you may use as a dockyard worker you should be fully trained and qualified to use it. Working on the docks also often requires the lifting of heavy objects and because of this lifting training is required so you are fully aware of the correct way to lift such heavy items. If your employer has not given you the required training and then expects to do a job where you should be trained, they are leaving themselves liable if you are injured and wish to make a docks worker injury claim.
An example of a dockyard crane causing injury occurred at Southampton docks on July 2009. The crane driver/operator was seriously injured as the vehicle toppled over as it was loading a ship.
The man’s legs were injured as the crane fell onto a container ship being loaded at the port. Fire-fighters were called to the scene to help release the trapped crane driver from his cab. Once freed, he was airlifted to the dockside by a coastguard helicopter and then taken to hospital by ambulance.
Police stated at the time that the accident was being treated as an industrial accident. The crane, a twin boom rig with the cab suspended on rails failed at both uprights and as a result collapsed onto containers which were on the ship below.
However you may have been injured working at a dockyard you should:
- Report the accident to a manager or supervisor as quickly as possible
- Record the accident circumstances and cause into the accident book
- Take any witness details of the accident and cause/defect
- Visit a doctor so your injuries are diagnosed and on medical records
You have three years to pursue a dockyard worker accident compensation claim, but the sooner you start the process the better. This is due to the fact that the information required is often easier to obtain the quicker you start, therefore the chance of success is much greater.
So start your dockyard accident at work compensation claim today by contacting our friendly, fully trained claims advisors here at the Accident Advice Bureau. They will discuss your accident circumstances with you and advise you of the next step.
Call us on 0800 814 0014 or click: Injured dockyard worker accident claim.
