Causes Of Industrial Accidents Outlined

Press, Volume C, Issue 29623, 20 September 1961, Page 22

Causes Of Industrial Accidents Outlined

fNew Zealand Press Association)

GISBORNE. September 19. The expression that “80 per cent, of industrial accidents are caused by carelessness” was an alibi for managers and foremen, the Gisborne Rotary Club was told last evening by Mr • R. W. K. Stevens, a director of the National Safety Association. Carelessness was not the major cause of the 53.000 accidents reported in New Zealand during 1959, added Mr Stevens. This figure represented only the accidents involved in compensation claim payments. If self-employed workers and farmers 'were added to the list, the total would reach 78.000. Research indicated that coal mining was the most acci-dent-prone industry. Next were saw milling, bush milling. freezing and waterfront work. An analysis of accidents revealed that 20 per cent, were unattributable to any particular cause. Unsafe conditions caused 18 per cent, and

unsafe tools resulted in 40 per cent, of accidents. "A combination of both these factors accounted for the other 40 per cent.,” said Mr Stevens. Compensable injuries during the year mainly arose from an incorrect manner of lifting heavy objects. There were more than 16,000 of these claims. Falls on the same level, on slippery and greasy floors, actually accounted for 13 per cent, of accidents and the faulty handling of tools led to 17 per cent. “Accidents in 1959 alone created a loss to industry in New Zealand of £l2 to £l3 million," he said.