Prepare a paper on longshoring operations. Describe what Longshoring is and how it fits into the maritime industry.
The maritime industry, as the name indicates, is specifically related to operations carried out onshore. Longshoring operations are one of the fundamental operations carried out on and off-board. As per regulations 1918.3(I), offshoring is basically “the moving, handling, unloading and unloading of small cargo ships, sails, stores, gears; in, out, into or onto any grand ship or vessel that is to move on profoundly monitored or navigable water within the territory of United States. According to 1918.3(k), one of the other closely associated terms that are used is “gangway,” which means “any stair-like ramp which is a mode of access for machinery or personnel to hop on or vacate the vessel. Examples include gangplanks, accommodation ladders, etc.” longshoring is although a very fundamental operation in OSHA standards it does not have its own regulation, part 1910 general regulations is what’s being applied. To be more specific, longshoring regulations contained in 1918 are taken into consideration when operation undertake (OSHA).
Longshore & Risks Involved
In simple terms, in this operation, massive metal containers used for cargo are either loaded onto the ship or unloaded and transported to the container yard or placed on a railroad train to carry them to a nearby warehouse or main distribution center. The nature of commodities that these containers carry varies from construction material such as cement, gravel, etc., or other huge objects in size to be transported by road. Regular inspections are made to ensure that the mobile containers are safe.
Possible risks that pertain to this operation are vigorous and hard physical exertion with handling heavy containers. Working on heights and scaffolds. Coming in contact with heavy and pointy equipment used to ensure proper locking of containers and rails that they are transported on. Hammerhead cranes, placed at the corner of the dock, used to bring containers down from the vessel and move them further in stacks. Cruise ships, military vessels, cargo vessels are some of the types where longshore operations take place. The level of risk is so high with huge equipment and containers that even a small act of carelessness can cause immediate death or serious injury.
OSHA is making a continuous effort in rewriting the clauses associated with longshoring. The amendments are taking place now since it was first adopted in 1971. The reason behind this is the modifications in cargo handling, equipment advancement, and others. Unlike in the past, now a day’s vessels are specifically designed with vehicle rolling stock, barges, and even carriages for intermodal containers. The U.S port is altogether docked with new kinds of ships. In contrast to advancements, the previously formulated standards for operations are long overshadowed by new methods. The final rule will change OSHA regulations and implement these changes (United States Department of Labor). However, there are still some vessels that operate on old regulations. For them, the agency will keep non-amended final rules whose use, although limited, will work for minor operations.
Longshore with maritime industry fits very appropriately. The maritime industry is all about ships, cargo services, vessels, and moving or transporting items in and out all the time. That’s where the longshore operations fit (OSHA’s Directorate of Science, Technology, and Medicine). Wherever there is a name of ship repair, ship break, or overall shipping industry, longshore operations come in. To reduce significant hazards during maritime cargo handling and marine terminal operations, maritime and longshore guidelines and standards go hand in hand. For a safe working environment, both these operation guidelines need to work and be implemented simultaneously.
References
Administration, O. S. (n.d.). Longshore and Marine Terminals: Fatal Facts. Retrieved from United States Department of Labor: https://www.osha.gov/dts/maritime/sltc/longshoring/index.html
OSHA. (n.d.). LONGSHORING, CRANES, and OSHA as applied to uninspected vessels (Fall 97 issue). Retrieved from maritime consultant: http://www.maritimeconsultant.com/OSHA%20Longshoring.HTM
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Directorate of Science, T. (n.d.). Longshore and Marine Terminals: Hazard and Abatement Summaries.