National Safety Standards for Pianists

There are no safety standards for pianists on land and pianists on the cruise lines. Pianists who sign 6 month contracts to work on ships are legally seamen. Their contracts with the entertainment agency are superseded by the rules of the International Geneva convention and these pianists  are covered by the Maritime Union for some kinds of injuries on board. The Jones Act stipulates that the ship  negligence must be proved before the ship has any liability. In the case of freak accidents, the cruise line is not liable and cannot be sued.

Pianists who work as independent contractors on land, are frequently asked to sign waiver of liability contracts in order to obtain the job. This is very dangerous for them to do.