Legal Definitions - intervention duty

Definition:Intervention duty is a legal obligation of a shipowner to fix dangerous working conditions for longshore workers, even if the shipowner did not create the condition. This duty arises when the shipowner knows about a hidden danger in an area that cannot be avoided by the longshore workers while performing their duties.

Examples:

• If a longshore worker is injured while unloading cargo from a ship due to a slippery deck, the shipowner has an intervention duty to fix the deck's condition, even if the shipowner did not cause the slippery deck.
• If a longshore worker is injured due to a hidden danger in the cargo hold, the shipowner has an intervention duty to fix the danger, even if the shipowner did not create the danger.

These examples illustrate that shipowners have a legal obligation to ensure the safety of longshore workers, even if the shipowner did not cause the dangerous condition. The shipowner must take necessary steps to fix the condition to prevent further injuries to the workers.