Managing a Shipyard Work Hazard Safely

There are 165,000 shipyard workers employed in the United States. Workers could become exposed to risks like noise pollution, chemicals, and high heat.

Something shipping businesses need to consider is work hazards in shipyards. In these industries, workplace safety needs to be a top priority for everyone.

If things aren’t managed safely, injuries could occur on the job. There is also a risk of fatal injuries if safety regulations aren’t upheld.

Keep reading to find out how to manage work hazard risks in the shipyard industry.

Involve Everyone

When it comes to work culture and safety, you need to get everyone involved. A work hazard is not something that only involves those higher up in the company.

This is something that impacts everyone in the shipyard. That is why everyone needs to become involved when it comes to spotting hazards.

If you are a manager, you may not be on the ground at all times. You may not see what the workers are handling and whether it is up to safety regulations.

But the workers themselves are hands-on and work in this atmosphere daily. They will be much better equipped to spot risks than you would.

Because of this, everyone needs to get involved and have knowledge in this area. You should educate your workers on safety regulations and possible risks.

This will equip them with the knowledge to spot hazards that they may be working around. This is perfect if there are hazards that may come up out of the blue and go unnoticed.

Some examples of this include a poor work design. Workers may be working inefficiently or working in a way that could cause a serious accident.

Or workers may be having to work too fast, putting less focus on safety.

Use a Checklist

To prevent employee injury, it is also a good idea to have a checklist. A checklist can be used to keep track of things that must be done in the shipyard.

These are often tasks that are part of safety regulations to keep everything flowing smoothly. For instance, you may need to have a piece of equipment serviced.

It is easy to forget about these kinds of small tasks, but they are necessary. If that equipment is not serviced, it could become damaged, putting workers at risk.

You can also use a checklist to keep track of concerns workers have. Not every concern is going to be valid, but it is important to look into them.

You should have a list of possible risks to evaluate later on. This ensures that nothing falls through the cracks and goes unnoticed.

Assess the Possible Risk

When you are looking at a work hazard, you need to access the risk involved. This is important in ensuring employee safety at all times.

This is also a good time to evaluate what risks are more important. The hazards with the most risk should be the first priority.

Some possible risks to look for is if bodily injury is possible. If that hazard could cause any kind of injury, it needs fixing.

There may also be instances where an accident could happen in a rare event. Even if the probability is rare, it is still something that you need to take seriously.

You should also consider if this hazard has long-term risks. For instance, chemical exposure may not cause bodily injury right now.

But there is a possibility of this having long-term repercussions. This is something that shipyard managers need to carefully consider.

You should also consider how often workers will become exposed to the hazard. The more they're exposed to something, the more risk that's involved.

You may need to make this hazard safer or limit exposure. Implementing safety training is also a great way of managing this risk.

Find a Solution

When you have found a work hazard, a solution needs to be found. If there are any risks involved, the hazard should be removed from the workplace.

This is a process that should begin immediately. You may need to discuss these problems with those higher up in the company.

You may also need to do research and find a substitute to replace that hazard. This is often necessary if it is something that cannot be removed from the shipyard.

The hazard could also be isolated so that workers are not exposed to it. In some instances, protective equipment and training may also need to be provided to exposed workers.

Incorporate Safety Training

Possibly the most important thing companies need to utilize is safety training. There are many occupational safety regulations when it comes to the shipyard industry.

These regulations are there to keep workers safe when they are on the job. That is why workers should be educated in these areas to better protect themselves.

Compliance Training Online offers a variety of online training certification courses. These include courses on eye and face protection and other hazards workers may face.

This is a perfect way to educate workers so that everyone has the knowledge to stay safe.

Work Hazard Evaluation and Solutions

When it comes to a work hazard, this needs to be taken seriously. If you have found a hazard, there are a few steps you need to do next.

This includes things like assessing the risk and finding a solution. You should also incorporate safety training for all employees.

Are you interested in shipyard safety training courses? Contact us today at Compliance Training Online to get started.