Accidents do happen

When you here about the waterfront or the mention of the name longshoreman (and women) in the media it is usually connected with the economy, a labor strike, hiring opportunities, etc. but very rare when an occurrence or accident happens. Like any other blue collar job in America where man/woman works closely with machines accidents are bound to happen and some of the time may result in the unfortunate death of a working bother or sister. The images provided are of an incident which occurred but blessed with good no one was injured, even the operator of the machine, known as a Top Handler (Top pick depending which dock system you originate from), was fine. The machine toppled over a stack of 40 foot shipping containers creating a domino effect to the stack. It was a stroke of luck no one was on the other side of the container pile. 

The reality of the docks it is a very dangerous place to work. It may not be on the "top 10 most dangerous jobs" like crab fishing in the Arctic but if something happens to an individual they will not just get a bump on the head and go home fine. One will end up seriously injured or may not survive at all. The long shore community has been advantageous that the death statistics have not been higher throughout the years but it must be seen that even one death a year is still a tall price to pay. This is the real battle that the longshore community faces, helping to create a safe work environment, making sure that individuals don't become complacent on the job, etc. and all this is on top of the huge list that most jobs in complicated times are fighting to maintain: higher work wages, medical benefits, etc.

So next time you run into information dealing with the waterfront or longshoreman/woman and they are being demonized realize that what they fight for is a small percentage of what is owed to work in a dangerous work place.