SHUNTERS’ RISKS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 19 August 1925, Page 9

SHUNTERS’ RISKS.

PALMERSTON NORTH FATALITY

BOARD OF INQUIRY SET UP

THE ORDER, OF REFERENCE

(BY IUSLJSGBAIUI. JL’RESS ASSOCIATION.) PALMERSTON N., Aug. 19.

The Railway Board iset up to investigate shunting conditions at Palmerston inoiit-li commenced a sitting this, moaning. The personnel of the board is Mr. J. Blown, District Traffic Manager, Wanganui (chairman), H. L. O'. Smith, Assistant Railway. Engineer, Auckland, J. E. Terry, shunter, JJunedm, S. Schofield, shunter, Christchurch; representing the A.S.R-.S. and advocate, Mr. M. J. Alack, secretary of the A.S.R.S., Mr. W. J. Bribedts, douching foreman of Tialm.ems.ton North, representing local foreman in regard to whose competency certain allegations were made at the colonial enquiry into the death •of the late Shunter Carmichael, who died front injuries received in an accident at the local yards.

The order of reference' reads: “The Board is ,set up to enquire and report regarding the conditions of work for shunters employed by the Railway Department as affecting the hazard involved tin the performance of their duties, having regard more particularly to the following factors: (1) Length of shifts slum terns are required to work; (2) numbers of employees, composing shunting gangs; (3) time allowed for the work of making mp trains; (4) 'Supervision afforded on shunters’ work; (5) general control of the work in shunting yards; (6) lighting of .shunting yards; (7) lay-outs and proposed lay-outs of shunting yards; (8) •drainage of whunting yards; (9) the matter of employees inexperienced in shunting work being employed thereon; (40) generally, other matters that .affect conditions of the work of shunters, ■bearing on the risks involved in their employment. Mr. Mack, at the outset, said he understood tire chief duties of the Board were to enquire into the death of Shunters Carmichael, 'and to ascer-' tain whether isliufiting, always a dangerous occupation. could not be made safer than it at present appeared to he at Palmerston North. He under,stood that contain allegations had been made against certain local officials, who would to a. degree' be on their trial. ’H.e deemed it only fair that they should be represented by an advocate and lie proceeded to detail the evidence he proposed to call. The chairman, explained that Mr. Ricb'CrtiSpn represented, the officials against whom, certain, allegations were ■made.

Wutkin Willjam Roberts, tine first, witness, said that lie had nine years’ service in. the department. He came to Flalmerstoii sixteen months ago as a shunter, although be had had no previous .experience as such in .the yard. After detailing the accident to •Carmichael, witness said that the conditions in the' shunting yard were not congenial to the men. Carmichael and the foreman nagged one another .and .the nagging upset, Carmichael, who was always d'lseussmg the attitude of the foreman. CiurhiAcnael was nervous and nighstrung above the average. The drainage of the yard was not all that could, be desired, and there was not a plentiful, .supply or good hand lamps. The lighting of the yard could be considerably improved. Ais a result of' the conditions or the yard, witness asked to be reduced to tablet pouter rather than take the risks of a shunter.

In reply to the chairman, the witness denied that there was shunting experience at tablet .stations. To Air. Robertson, witness said that other men who came here alter he had) had made good as shunters. ’Witness detailed what he deemed to be a proper course of instructions in at Palmerston. He stated blunt, before one wia.s placed in a. responsible position, the .second mian should he certainly efficient. Such a system would give all a chance to become proficient.