Container terminals worldwide move hundreds of thousands of containers through their yards daily. In fact, large terminals may discharge or load between 8,000 and 10,000 units to the vessel, train,...

The U.S. Supreme Court recently took a step forward in improving uniformity in the country’s maritime jurisprudence by resolving a conflict between the federal courts of appeal for the Ninth and...

There are cases, unremarkable on their facts and conventionally decided, that are nevertheless noteworthy. This article outlines one such example – a bridge case. Bridge work, whether constructing,...

While OSHA has set forth a comprehensive set of standards regarding fall protection, it remains one of the foremost ongoing concerns for the agency. All maritime facilities need to have a clear...

Although it may often be overlooked as an occupational hazard, lightning poses a serious risk, especially within the maritime industry. Although most facilities are fortunate enough never to have a...

The issues of situs and status as they relate to incidents in parking lots can present some tricky questions. There are also the issues arising out of and in the course of employment. These...

Sustaining a work injury can be a jarring event for the employee and employer. In some cases, healing and returning to work is not easy. It is estimated that 30% of injuries will result in a loss of...

Workplace shoulder and back injuries are a significant cost for maritime employers. Muscle-related strain injuries are a leading cause of injuries for the maritime industry and generally account for...

By designing work based on “internal productivity” (i.e., not overburdening or fatiguing the employee, allowing them to produce more output with less effort), waterfront employers can optimize the...

The issues of high seas and foreign waters arise frequently. We’ve discussed it before. We still do not have a uniform rule. The question is straightforward: Does the Longshore and Harbor Workers’...

Technological advancements have had a dramatic impact on our everyday lives and the pace of technology-driven change is accelerating. While a ship repair facility or marine cargo handling operation...

The U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Benefits Review Board (BRB) recently decided an appeal in a seemingly routine hearing loss case (Lon S. Key v. Electric Boat Corporation, BRB No. 18-0579,...

The workplace culture within your company can have an enormous impact on the success and safety performance of your business. Influencing a workplace culture positively requires members of...

Can an injured worker be covered concurrently under both the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA) and the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA)? Spoiler alert – yes.   Coverage...

On July 1, 2016, the U.S. Department of Labor implemented the Inflation Adjustment Act of 2015. The act requires that civil penalties be adjusted to match that of the U.S. inflation rate. This means...

Beverly Hale (Widow of Anthony R. Hale, Sr.) v. BAE Systems San Francisco Ship Repair and Signal Mutual Indemnity Association, Ltd., BRB No. 17-0523, 10/10/2018The issue in this case was whether the...

Working from heights is standard operating procedure in maritime environments, and the risks are high. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports that falls are among the most...

Our words and voices have a power that many of us don’t use. Speaking up is one of the first steps to strengthening a workplace safety program and changing a safety culture. So often employees sit...

This blog is a continuation of our review of notable Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA) court cases from 2018. Hamidullah Makhmoor v. Mission Essential Personnel, LLC and Zurich...

Culture. It’s a word used frequently in nearly every workplace. A company’s core beliefs and values are manifested through actions which ultimately form the company’s “culture”. In maritime...