SHUNTING ACCIDENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19759, 9 April 1926, Page 8

SHUNTING ACCIDENTS.

It will be remembered that the frequency with which fatal accidents occurred in the railway yards last year induced the Railways Department to set up a Board of Inquiry' to investigate the whole position as regards shunting operations. The report on

the matter, which has now been published, is not in any way a startling document, and in that respect should convery general reassurance to the public on a question which has been discussed somewhat freely, both in and out of Parliament, and not entirely without the suggestion of the existence of a really avoidable state of affairs. The Board of Inquiry considers that the figures as regards shunting accidents show that, given experience and care, the work of shunting is not dangerous. It discusses instructively the question of the working efficiency of tho shunting yards, and points out that this efficiency has been impaired in some instances by frequent changes in the staffing—a circumstance that has contributed in a measure to the number of accidents in recent years. The shunter cannot afford to make miscalculations, and the Board of Inquiry expresses the opinion that only men who are physically active and mentally alert should be placed in the shunting yards. It implies 'that this precaution has not been observed as closely as it might have been. On this point of the working efficiency of the yards some reflection is no doubt cast upon the railway management. The Railway Board is already taking steps, it is to be noted, to have transferred to other duties any man engaged in the shunting yards who may be adjudged unsuitable for employment in them in that they do net reach the desired standard of physical activity and mental alertness. On the question ;£>f .the hours worked by shunters, it having been complained that they are not infrequently excessive, the Board of Inquiry has apparently nothing very definite to say beyond expressing the opinion that seven and a-half hour shifts should be worked at a number of stations where the shunting operations are arduous, and that, whereas during the busy season long hours were worked at some of the stations, this should be avoided where possible. The Board offers some important recommendations respecting the lighting of shunting yards, concerning which there has been a good deal of apparently just complaint, and it views with satisfaction the prospect of improved conditions when the department’s present lighting programme has been completed. Regarding the lay-out of the yards the Board of Inquiry characterises it as not effective for the quick handling of traffic in the majority of cases. The lack of siding accommodation is commented upon, and attention is directed to the manner in which the traffic has outgrown the capacity of the yards in some centres. On the point of congestion in the yards, about which a good deal has been heard, the Board states explicitly that the congested areas in some of the yards, and the want of suitably arranged accommodation for handling the wagons, have increased tho difficulties of the shunters and the risk of accidents. Mr Coates stated in the House of Representatives last session that the department did not profess that the yards were all up-to-date, and the result of the investigation that has been made should leave the department under no misapprehension as to the need for . somewhat extensive improvements. It is pointed out by the Board of Inquiry that one of the greatest • risks in shunting in New ‘Zealand is due to the heed for hand coupling and uncoupling. Approximately 25 per cent, of all the accidents oyer a period of 10 years wore attributable, it is stated, to employees going between vehicles for the purpose of attending to the coupling. Clearly if the risk attaching to this particular operation could bo eliminated a* very desirable reduction in the number of shunting accidents would be brought about. But in recommending that the designing of a mechanical device which would minimise the need for men going between vehicles should be investigated the Board of Inquiry is evidently unable to offer any definite assurance that it is l possible to seenre a device of a kind which, even if available, would certainly commend itself for adoption. All things considered, the railway authorities should derive useful guidance from this departmental report.