3 of the most common dangers associated with shipyard work
Shipyard workers have to endure some of the most challenging work conditions of any job. This can be put down to a variety of factors, including the constant use of heavy machinery, the slippery environment, and the variety of toxic and flammable gases on site.
These are all very real dangers that shipyard workers have to endure on a daily basis, and here at Gas Alarm Systems, we’re determined to mitigate at least some of the biggest risks. Namely, our gas detection systems serve as a practical step towards reducing the risks posed by both toxic and flammable gases. With that in mind, here are three of the most common dangers faced by shipyard workers.
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Heavy machinery and handling
Working on a shipyard requires a great deal of skill, vigilance, and a certain degree of fearlessness too. The risks that shipyard workers face are considerable, and come in many different forms. One of the most common causes of injuries in this kind of environment is improper handling of heavy objects. Often, labourers will move materials by hand to different sections of the shipyard, and as a result, it’s really easy for workers to sustain hand injuries like scrapes and cuts if they’re not provided with the correct PPE. It’s not uncommon for materials to be oily, wet or extremely sharp in these environments, so extra care is always required.
Slips, trips and falls
By their very nature, shipyards and shipping lanes tend to be very wet places. Water is a constant feature of environments like these, whether that’s as a result of high tide, adverse weather, or water that’s brought off the ships docked. As a result, slips and falls can be fairly common occurrences on shipyards, and due to the sheer size of some of the machines and equipment in operation on these sites, falls can be particularly devastating to anyone unlucky enough to experience one. As a general rule of thumb, it’s recommended that you wear the correct footwear when walking through these environments, and try to avoid areas where water may have pooled as best you can.
Toxic and explosive gasses
Exposure to toxic and flammable gases can have catastrophic long term effects on the health of shipyard workers. Staff who operate within heavily industrialised environments like shipyards and docks are some of the most at-risk members of the UK workforce when it comes to toxic gas exposure. A few of the most common toxic gases that shipyard workers are at risk of exposure to include carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulphide, and toxic VOC vapours from burning gasoline, diesel, heating oil, kerosene, and jet fuel.
Here at Gas Alarms Systems, our fixed gas detection systems are installed in a permanent location, which helps to ensure the ongoing safety of your working environment. The device helps to monitor the release of toxic gases, oxygen deficiency or enrichment, as well as the presence of flammable gases and vapours. If triggered, it will alert any nearby staff members through a loud alarm system, allowing them to quickly initiate any shutdown procedures you already have in place.
Feel free to browse our range of fixed gas detection systems and portable gas detection monitors, or if you have any questions or need any advice, by all means call us on 01423 862240, and we’ll be happy to see how we can help.
