Document ID: OSHA-2020-0010-0041
Agency: osha
Document Type: Supporting & Related Material
Title: 
Posted Date: 2021-09-16T04:00Z

Fact Sheet
         Maritime
Employment
  Fact Sheet
         Maritime
Employment
AWARENESS OF SURROUNDINGS                                       
Maritime facilities are filled with many hazards because of their constantly changing environment. As an employee, you are exposed to these hazards daily, and having an awareness of your surroundings is critically important in keeping yourself and others safe. 

Many times the hazards of working a specific job, such as lashing containers or conducting a weld repair, are examined and minimized through a job hazard analysis (JHA). Typically, this involves walking the worksite, identifying the hazards, and then making an assessment on how to mitigate the hazards. There are forms and plans on conducting a JHA available from multiple sources and your employer should pick the best one appropriate for the type of work. 

However, JHAs do not typically cover hazards encountered when walking to and leaving your worksite. Incidents such as slips, trips, and falls can occur when returning to your shop or even leaving the facility, resulting in severe injuries that contribute to lost workdays. For example, one shipyard reported averaging almost three to-and-from injuries a week resulting in 60 recordable injuries and 380 lost workdays per year. 

Attention to Your Surroundings Can Help Reduce Injuries. 

Many times, workplace injuries are caused by a lack of focus and attention to the surrounding area. You may assume that just because you are off the job and walking to or returning from the work site that learned safety practices do not apply.  However, that is quite the opposite; walking is working. 

Listed below are some examples of everyday situations that could result in injury or death:
    
     You just left a ship you were working on. While walking, you begin to think of all the household chores you need to accomplish once you get home.  As a result, you inadvertently stray from the designated shipyard pedestrian path and are stuck by a work vehicle. 
    
     You were in such a rush to clock out for the day that you forgot to put away the equipment you were using and a worker from another shift tripped on it, resulting in a head contusion.
    
     You are walking on staging and are readjusting your hearing protection. You lose focus and slip, falling to a lower level. 

 Following the best practices below can help to prevent to and from incidents, maintaining a safe work environment for you and others:

    Take ownership of your actions & work area.
   
    Walk in designated areas that are free of hazards and clearly marked. 
   
    Stay focused. While easy to say, it is difficult to put into practice. 

    Don't walk distracted. Think about where you are and be aware of your surroundings. Keep your eyes and ears open.
   
    Don't run.  Rushing can lead to injuries. 
   
    Use handrails when ascending and descending stairs.
   
    Maintain three points of contact when utilizing a ladder.
   
    Ensure there is adequate lighting to see your surroundings.
   
    Avoid walking through congested areas and use designated walkways! If it is necessary to walk through a congested area, keep a lookout for potential hazards.  
   
    Allow ample time to make it to where you have to go and don't take shortcuts, which can result in injuries.
   
    Be aware of equipment that is above, near, and below you. 
   
    Pay attention to walking surface conditions, such as water, snow, ice, sand, blast grit, oil, or other slip hazards. 
   
    Obey all installed barriers, ropes, and cordoned-off areas.

    Do not walk while using a cell phone. Find a safe area and stand in place. 
   
    Report unsafe conditions. It is not enough to know an unsafe condition exists. If you see something, say something so that the unsafe condition can be corrected to prevent others from being injured. 

Your safety should be considered first, last, and always!