Longshoremen are responsible for unloading cargo from ships at ports and terminals. They are a key part of the water transportation system and help handle a huge variety of cargo types. This can include cars, shipping containers, and many different types of freight. It’s a challenging job where they have to work in conditions that are often less than ideal. While they do use cranes and other heavy machinery to unload, it is a dangerous and exhausting career that can lead to many different health challenges. Here are some that many longshoremen experience.
Substance Abuse Issues
Unfortunately being in a high stress environment means that many longshoremen turn to alcohol or drugs in order to cope with the daily stressors. They may have physical pain from injuries they sustained at work, making them prone to prescription medication addiction and some cultural norms in the labor industry can make substance use the norm. Plus, sometimes working on the docks leads to unaddressed traumas like accidents and near misses.
It’s important for these workers to seek out treatment from rehabs for longshoremen that understand the unique challenges they face in their line of work. These treatment centers know how important their work is and how being addicted can affect their judgment and ability to do their jobs well. They also know that going back into that environment can create a lot of additional stress, so they help these workers get through the recovery process so they can go back to work.
Sleep Challenges of Dockworkers
Long shifts, alternating shifts, and hard labor can create a problem when it comes to sleep. Night workers, for example, don’t experience the same natural production of melatonin when they sleep during the day and work at night. On top of that, long working hours can create the perfect storm for sleep deprivation. This lowers cognitive function and the time it takes people to react. This can create more opportunities for accidents to happen at work.
In addition, poor sleep can increase symptoms of anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges. Creating a good sleep routine when you get home is one of the best ways to combat these issues. Start with a cool, dark room, a sleep mask, and keep smartphones, tablets, and other devices off an hour or more before bed.
Musculoskeletal Injuries From Hard Labor
Even though longshoremen use heavy machinery to load and unload, the work takes a huge toll on their bodies. They are also prone to injuries from repetitive lifting, overuse, and strain. Plus, the machines themselves can injure someone due to their continued vibrations. When accidents happen at work, it can be hard to heal, especially if you need to come back right away because you don’t get sick time. Over time these unhealed injuries cause even more problems. This is one of the biggest challenges longshoremen face when it comes to their health.
Some ways these workers can protect their bodies from injury is to practice safe working and lifting habits and to learn about proper ergonomics. When teams work together to keep each other safer, it can help everyone stay healthy and injury-free. It also helps to use the equipment at your disposal to ensure that you don’t overdo it unnecessarily.
Traumatic Accidents at Work and PTSD
Sometimes longshoremen witness or experience accidents that can trigger PTSD. When these traumas are not addressed right away, they get stored away in the nervous system. Over time, avoidance becomes harmful and can lead to flashbacks, hypervigilance, and being emotionally numb.
This impacts everything from personal relationships to how people show up at work. It’s compounded by the fact that many longshoremen avoid going to therapy because it carries a negative connotation. They don’t want to be seen as weak or unable to do their jobs, so they suffer in silence. Part of the solution is for leadership to help destigmatize mental health care especially following traumatic work incidents. This can help these workers feel safer seeking out the appropriate mental health professionals.
It’s clear that the work longshoremen do is not only challenging, but also super important. This is evidenced by the need for long working hours and round the clock shifts for unloading cargo. Some of the health challenges include addiction, injuries, sleep, and PTSD, but there are solutions out there to help these workers get the care they need to continue doing the work.
