Any kind of work along the shore, such as dock work, can be particularly dangerous. The machinery, equipment and sheer size of items that need to be loaded and unloaded off of docks and ships in California and elsewhere can put any worker at risk of a work injury. Unfortunately, one dock worker in another state suffered a fatal injury while working with large pieces of steel.
The 28-year-old was in the cargo hold area of a ship. Steel railroad tracks that weighed roughly 3000 pounds each were being loaded onto the ship. The crane that was loading them was capable of carrying up to 10 of the steel pieces at once. One fell from the crane and struck the worker.
The worker died from the injuries he sustained. It is unclear why or how the steel railroad track came loose from the crane. An investigation is being conducted and authorities have said this incident follows others along that particular river, including another fatality and an explosion recently.
The family of the man who suffered the fatal work injury has certain benefits and rights that they should be aware of. In California and elsewhere, if a worker is killed on the job, the workers’ compensation benefits due to their families can help them cope with the aftermath of an accident, such as any lingering medical bills and funeral costs. Any worker in California should make sure they and their family fully understands their benefits and what they may be entitled to if they are injured or worse.
Source: al.com, Dockworker’s death on the port one in a string of 2013 accidents along the Mobile River, Michael Finch II, Sept. 12, 2013