H.—ls.

with guarded machines are generally of a minor nature, and in most cases may be attributed to mental lapses, inattention to the work in hand, inexperience with running and repetition machinery, fatigue, age, and unsafe practices. Accidents with woodworking machinery were again high, and accounted for nearly one-third of the total accidents reported. Twenty-six accidents occurred with circular saws, again establishing the fact that the power-driven circular saw is responsible for more accidents among operators than any other machine used in industry in New Zealand. The primary cause of many of these accidents is the use of a saw with guards not properly adjusted, and unsafe practices such as the failure to use a push stick when working close to the face of the saw or to keep the working-space around the machine clear of obstructions that a worker might trip over. Many of those injured by circular saws were young people who did not appear to be aware that the powerdriven saw is the most dangerous of all machines. In order to draw particular attention to these hazards and to the precautions necessary for the prevention of accidents at circular saws used in the woodworking trade a safety poster has been printed in two colours and widely circulated among machinery-owners. This is the first occasion on which the Marine Department has published a safety notice referring to the hazards of a specific machine, and it is intended to extend the service to cover other classes of machinery and safe practices in the operation of machinery generally. This service is desirable not only for its educational value, but to maintain interest which may be lost if posters are not changed occasionally. The safety poster is recognized as one of the most effective methods of obtaining the co-operation of the worker in the prevention of accidents. No less than fifty, or over 30 per cent., of the total number of victims of accidents during the year were young and generally inexperienced persons of eighteen years of age and under. The highest number of persons injured of any one age was eighteen of the age of sixteen years. Machines other than circular saws were responsible for twenty-two accidents in woodworking plants. Seven of these were power-driven wood-planers and five were shapers. Both these types call for -hand operation close to the cutters, and are recognized as being among the most hazardous machines used in industry. Other machines at which accidents occurred included power presses (nine), guillotines (three), butchers' mincers (two), and lifts (six). Transmission machinery was responsible for six accidents. _ , , . The following table shows the number of accidents, both fatal and non-latal, which occurred during the year. The various machines at which the accidents occurred are mentioned, together with the leading industries in which they are engaged :

I ! I I ! ! ! ; General Harbour Eegulations. The total number of accidents reported during the year under Regulation 103 of the General Harbour Regulations was 243, which can be considered very satisfactory in comparison with 82b accidents last year and 529 the previous year. Four of these accidents had fatal results, as against seven during the previous year. The accidents may be classified as follows Handling goods and other articles, including the use of hand-tools, and accidents due to lifting heavy goods and cases with sharp or rough edges, &c. .. 74 Persons falling or slipping off gangways, shafts, down hatchways, off ladders, 'or slipping or stumbling on the level when not handling goods . • 30 Persons struck by falling or swinging loads not being handled by injured persons 89 Persons stepping on or striking against fixed objects not included in, otherclassification .. •• '' '' . „ Due to failure of gear (chains, ropes, slings, derricks, &c.) Not otherwise classified (miscellaneous) .. .. • • • •

14

-a . £p $ T pi hi) . hp d fn •£ 2 £f> .S'fH _bd 1£" '9 d M 0) <D M rQ •* "2 2 • 5=1 r5 Bo * o .9 . hi >> .2 w Machine. 53 a S* g> J' S -§tj w & '3 ts s mi .a r g *5 .3 5 « h -3 po 43 -a -S cs E» g o 'H * a £ U I 1 I 11 I i_ 1 | i_ Circular saw . • .. 24 .. .. 1 • • • • • • • • ' Other saws . • • • 2 .. ■ .. .. ■ • • ■ • • • • • j Wood-planers .. • • ~ l Wood shapers and moulders 5 .. . ■ •• •■ •• •• •• •• Power presses . • • • '' . '' '' ' \ ! '' '' *" "> o Guillotines Mangles .. • • • ■ ■ • • ■ • • '" " " '' '' '' '' ' Mincers .. • • ■ • • • ■ • * • * • '' '' '' 'A « Lifts .. 5 Cranes and hoists . . • • • • • • • • • • • • • • '' '' „ Belting .. • ■ • • • • • • ■ • •• '' '' '' '' g 3 * hafli » g ■■ " ■ ' 8 '7 '3 12 16 'l 1! 'e 36 89 Miscellaneous .. •• 8 ' J 10 Total (industries) ..46 7 3 14 21 1 2 55 157