SAFETY ON WHARVES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17631, 22 May 1919, Page 6

SAFETY ON WHARVES

PRESERVATION OF MAN-POWER.

WIDE-REACHING PROVISIONS.

For over 19 years the question of improving- the conditions under -which men labour on the waterfronts of the dominion has been ono that appeared to be impossible of solution. A solid commencement with the task of solving the problem was made when a Royal Commission was sot up to inquire into the matter, not only from the watorsidors'- and employers' points of view, but also from the humanitarian aspect—the preservation of human material. The commission consisted of representatives of the workers, the .Harbour Boards, and the shipping companies, with the Minister of Marino (Hon. T. M. Wilford) as chairman. That commission unanimously agreed to recommend to Cabinet 27 amendments of the law on tho subject, with the object of bettering tho conditions under which waterside labourers carry out their work, and Cabinet, on the Minister's recommendation, made several other amendments. These amendments have now • been gazetted, and are now in operation throughout the dominion. Two other regulations have still to be gazetted—one dealing with tho fumigation of ships' holds, which has been left to Dr Maclaurin (Government Analyst) to draft, and the other, dealing with general risks, which is being drafted by the Crown Law Office. The' regulations are in tho main on the lines of the Commission's recommendations, which were published in full at the time.

They provide for tho inspection of machinery not only on ships, but of all machinery used for loading- or discharging cargo into or from ships, hulks, lighters, or storeships, whether such machinery is < n the vessel or not. Tho inspector is empowered to order the carrying out of such repairs as he considers necessary, and prohibiting the use of the machinery until the repairs are effected.

Provision is made for the complete examination of all running gear on similar lines and also for the thorough annual inspection of winches.

Deck cargo on lighters is to be carried only in such quantities and in such positions as are rjermitted by a survevor of ships.

As to discharging coal, the regulations otosely follow the recommendations of the Commission in regard to ensuring a greater measure of safety, and they go on to provide : Every person in New Zealand who manufactures rope for sale shall attach to each coil a certificate showing the breaking strain of such rope. When working cargo no person shall put a load of greater weight on any chain, or rope than the weight given as a safe working load in the tables issued D y the Marine Department givinsate worlang loads for chains and ropes of various sizes. .

Provision is made for sufficient lighting while men are working cargo at night, ind the surveyor of ships is to be the arbiter as to how many gangs shall work in a hold.

Drunken men are not to be allowed to work cargo, and cargo is not to be worked m insanitary holds.