BLACK BAN ON DIESEL TRANSPORTERS LIFTED

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29932, 20 September 1962, Page 8

BLACK BAN ON DIESEL TRANSPORTERS LIFTED

The New Zealand Workers’ Union black ban on six heavy diesel transporters operated by the Ministry of Works has been lifted. The lifting of the ban followed a meeting of all interested parties, including the Health and Transport Departments, workers’ and drivers’ unions, and Ministry of Works representatives.

The following agreed-on statement was issued by the Christchurch Medical Officer of Health (Dr. L. F. Jepson) after the meeting, at which he presided:

“We recommend that the New Zealand Workers’ Union agree to lift the ban on the following basis:

“(1) We have examined the diesel transporters in question before and after the modifications, and are now satisfied that all practical means have been taken to minimise the danger of occupational deafness to occupants of the vehicles. Moreover, much has been done to lessen the road shock and vibration to the driver, and to minimise the risk of inhalation of exhaust fumes by the driver, and to improve ventilation of the cab. “X2) We recommend that the other vehicles operated by the Ministry of Works be similarly modified before use.

“(3) We believe that until such time as the basic design of these and similar vehicles is altered «o as to present no appreciable risk

to the health of the driver, or until Dominion-wide recommendations are laid down, the standard of the present modifications can be considered as an acceptable safeguard to health, without excessive hours."

The South Island secretary of the New Zealand Workers' Union (Mr W. A. Dempster) said only one of the six vehicles had been modified. The ban would be lifted on the other five, conditional upon their being modified as well.

The modifications made to the transporter were listed as follows in a statement made after the meeting: air vent in cab. modified front tyres, removal of exhaust from immediately behind the cab to beneath the deck, two-inch glass-wool quilting over the engine mountings, asbestos pulp spray with perforated zinc plate over the entire inside of the cab.