WORKMEN’S LAXITY

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21037, 13 February 1940, Page 7

WORKMEN’S LAXITY

USE OF SAFETY BELTS POWER BOARD EMPLOYEES STRICTER SUPERVISION URGED COMMENT BY CORONER (Special to Times) CAMBRIDGE, Monday The laxity among power board employees in the use of safety belts when working on power poles and the need for more rigid regulations in this respect were commented upon by the Coroner, Mr F. W. Platts, at an inquest in Cambridge today concerning the death of Thomas Marsden Harwood, who was killed when he fell from a power pole and dislocated his neck at Fencourt on December 13. In returning a verdict that Harwood was accidentally killed, the coroner added it was unfortunate deceased was not using a safety belt at the time, as the evidence showed that he would not have lost his life if he had worn the belt. Regulations Clear The Act was clear that the onus was on the workmen to use the safety appliances that were provided, but the evidence also showed that there had been laxity, said Mr Platts. Since the accident the Cambridge Power Board had issued an instruction in the matter, but it did not go far enough. He considered it should be the duty of the overseer to make sure that the men were obeying instructions.