H.—ll.

XLVIII

REPORTS FROM INSPECTORS OF SCAFFOLDING. WELLINGTON. Sir, — Department of Labour, Wellington, 22nd April, 1908. I have the honour to submit my report for the year ending 31st March, 1908. I have to report that the building trade ha* been exceptionally busy throughout the Wellington district, especially so in the city and suburbs, 806 buildings being erected in the city alone; and a great many more men have found employment in the various building trades during that time than, I think, during any previous year. The Scaffolding Inspection Act is working satisfactorily, and I do not think there are many employers who would desire to revert to the old state of things, because they find the workmen give more satisfaction as to their work when the risk of accidents is lessened. In Wellington a good number of lofty buildings have been erected during the year, several up to and nearly 100 ft. in height, necessitating a large number of men working at a great height, and the small number of accidents reported, compared with the number of men engaged on or about scaffolding, must be considered very satisfactory. The amendment passed last session contains some important provisions. The clause providing that lifts used on buildings in course of erection shall be fitted with a catch has, I consider, alone been the means of preventing a large number of accidents. A design of an automatic catch, to meet the requirements of this clause, was drawn and issued by the Department, and this catch has been largely used, and found to work well. The regulations, which were revised and added to and printed in handy pamphlet form, are found to be very convenient to all parties concerned. In November last, when the scaffolding districts were enlarged to cover the whole Dominion, the Wellington district was defined to include the whole of the Wellington Industrial District, which includes Hawke's Bay. Since then 1 have visited all the principal towns and places in the district. In most of these districts, especially the Hawke's Bay district, I found the methods of erection, and the materials used for scaffolding, very unsatisfactory, and generally unsafe. However, as soon as the Act and regulations were brought under the notice of the builders and persons in charge of buildings they almost invariably expressed themselves as willing in future to comply with the Act and regulations. During the period under review 383 notices of intention to erect scaffolding were received, and 15 builders were prosecuted for failing to give notice of their intention to erect scaffolding. Two cases were dismissed, and in the remainder convictions were obtained. There were 821 different scaffolds inspected, some of the larger jobs requiring a great number of visits. In 263 cases alterations were ordered ; some of them were, however, slight, such as additions of guard-rails, or fender-boards, or the tightening of cords or bolts. In 27 cases the scaffolding was condemned us unsafe, and workmen warned against going on them. Fourteen accidents occurring on buildings in course of erection came under my notice, most of them slight. Three accidents ended fatally—a labourer fell 60 ft. down a lift-well in Wellington (this happened before the amending Act and regulations re lift-catch were passed) ; a plasterer died from the effects of a fall in Napier, due to faulty piece of timber ; and a master plumber died from the effects of a fall down a stair-well in Wellington: this was a pure misadventure. Owing to the trade being so busy during the year, and experienced men being very scarce, especially builders' labourers, a good nuiwlier of the men employed had little or no experience on buildings, and consequently were a danger to themselves and to others working at a height. A case came under my notice where a man not used to climbing lost his nerve half-way up a long ladder, and clung there until helped down by his mates. The great number of overhead wires in the City of Wellington—in some places forming quite a network, and some highly charged with electricity—is sometimes a source of great danger to men working at or about scaffolding. Tins will be greatly minimised next year, as many of the wires are being put underground. There were two prosecutions for failing to report accidents, and a conviction and fine were recorded in each case. As your are aware, a new Act is much more difficult to explain and enforce than one which has been on the statute-book for some years. Notwithstanding this, I have to thank all those with whom my duties have brought me in contact for their unfailing courtesy and consideration. I have, &c, R. A. BOLLANI), The Secretary for Labour, Wellington. Inspector of Scaffolding.