Diving work carries many unique dangers, most revolving around the obvious risks surrounding lengthy time underwater. The possibilities of severe injury or death from drowning or pressure changes are very real for divers every day on the job, leading to a number of precautions that must be taken on a consistent basis.
Training and safety procedures are a diver’s main defense against an unfortunate incident on the job. Preparing for each dive is imperative. Every piece of equipment serves a key function and must be carefully inspected on a regular basis. In the event of a malfunction or accident, divers must know how to react and have the necessary tools to do so. Among the steps to prepare for such a situation, divers and their teams spend much of their time in meetings and training sessions, inspecting their gear, getting ready to dive, or returning from one.
The unfortunate truth is that, although these tasks are clearly necessary to save lives, many divers are denied their rightful payment for this time. The Federal Labor Standards Act protects the rights of workers across the U.S. and it states that employees must be compensated for tasks which are mandatory for their duties. This includes suiting up, maintaining equipment, and completing safety meetings.
Diving employees who are frequently underpaid include:
- Saturation Technicians
- Divers
- ROV Technicians
- Crane Operators
- Tenders
- Heavy Equipment Operators
- Riggers
- Welders
Many workers such as these are refused compensation for completing tasks that they must perform in order to stay safe on the job. This directly violates the federal laws set out in the FLSA. To regain these rightfully owed wages, divers, technicians, operators, and other offshore workers may be able to hold their employer accountable in court.
The attorneys of Fibich, Leebron, Copeland, Briggs & Josephson have helped hundreds of oil industry workers seek compensation for payment that has been wrongfully denied to them. If you think that your rights have been violated and you have not been paid according to federal laws, contact an attorney immediately to discuss your situation.
