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MARITIME PROFESSIONAL ILLNESSES

Not all injuries caused by work are recognised by the Spanish Social Security legislation as professional illnesses. In Spain, a double list system exists, by which only the illnesses and the enumerated activities on a list are those that have the right to economic benefits from the Social Security (disability, temporary incapacity, change of job, free medicines, etc.) and demand administrative responsibility from the companies that do not respect the preventive measures.

Inside the Professional illnesses Framework (approved by Royal Decree 1995/1978), the following professional illnesses in Maritime work are possible:

• Illnesses due to working with compressed air: maritime work using pneumatics or diving gear.
• Professional deafness caused by noise: engine room.
• Osteoarticular and angioneurotic diseases caused by mechanical vibration.
• Malaria, Yellow fever, Plague: navigation in contaminated areas (epidemic).
• Chronic Intoxication by Benzene [C]: work on petrol tankers.
• Chronic Intoxication by Carbon Monoxide: engine room.
• Asbestosis, Lung Cancer caused by asbestos, pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma caused by asbestos [C]: Elimination of fire protection material on board.
• Lead Poisoning: Cleaning work in ships tanks that transport petroleum and paint substances.
• Professional skin infections: Caulking of ships (Contact with tar [C]), prolonged deck work (eczema from contact with waterproof clothing and gloves), kitchen (contact with detergents), engine room (use of degreasing products, mineral oils[C], etc.), fishing, contact with marine organisms (certain algae).
• Illnesses produced by ionizing radiation. [C]: transport of radioactive material on board, radio diagnostic equipment (Rx) on hospital ships.
• Professional Asthma: work on cereal cargo ships, transport of exotic wood, etc.
• Intoxication by inhalation of, or contact with Carbon Tetrachloride [possible C] or trichloroethylene [possible C]: engine room (degreasing products).
• Intoxication by pesticides: on board fumigation while in transit.
• Paralysis and pulling out spinal apophysis: Loading and unloading heavy cargo.

Another two illnesses on the list must be mentioned even though they are not found under maritime activity. They are, however, possible and exist in the specialised medical literature:

• Skin cancer from prolonged exposure to solar radiation [C]: deck work.
• Intoxication by Sulphydric Acid: fishing boat holds, petrol tankers.

[C] Indicates the substance is carcinogenic.

Theoretically, even though a ship transports dangerous substances, such as those listed, the crew members need not be exposed as long as they are well packed. However, a large proportion of sea transport is still done in bulk.