Jif.—#)

hopper opening and struck him on the throat. The injuries received proved fatal. The accident was of an unusual nature. It would not have happened had the machine been stopped before an 'Attempt wa'S made to clear the obstruction. (s') At aii Auckland quarry a belt was Used for conveying stone. The conveyor was about B,ft, from the ground, and a wooden guard Was fitted to within a few inches of the underside of the belt. A maintenaiicfi mechanic observed that some loose metal had got on the underside of the belt and endeavoured'to clear it by hand while the machine was running. His arm was caught between belt and pulley and was torn off from the shoulder. He died in hospital from shock and htemorrhage. In view of the circumstances of the accident, the safeguards have been improved to prevent the unsafe practice of clearing the belt whilst in motion. . -The number of non-fatal accidents, 101, is somewhat less than the number reported during the .previous folii years. The average number reported during these years was 135. In 73 per cent, of .the accidents, injuries were received to the lingers and hands. In two cases the injuries received led to the amputation of an arm, and in one case a foot was lost. On the whole, the number of distressing accidents was less than in previous years. Woodworking machinery was responsible for 31 accidents out of the total of 101, and of these, 17 accidents were due to circular saws, 6 to planers, ■2 to: shapersi and moulders, 2to transmission machinery, and sto other types of machinery. The circular! sawiwifth a total of 20 accidents in all industries again proves to be the most hazardous machine ,in use .in Industry. It is followed closely with the power press, which accounted for 17 accidents during the. year. The power press is widely used in a number of industries, and the number of accidents reported from year to year indicates that the dangers connected with this class of machine are not fully appreciated by employers, foremen, and press operators. The accidents are in many cases serious, and usually result in the loss of fingers or other permanent mutilation of the hands. The majority of accidents may be attributed to the use of inefficient, or defective guards, failure to use the guards provided, tripping the operating mechanism before the hands are clear of the tools, and the press ram falling when it should remain at the top of its stroke or making an unexpected repeat stroke. ■The hazards'jnay be reduced by proper instruction of press operators, supervision by competent foremen, discipline, thorough maintenance of clutches, brakes, and other running mechanism of the machine. With the development of secondary industries in the Dominion under war conditions, it is expected that increasedi use will be made of the power press. The inspecting staff are fully informed as to the best accident preventive measures, and particular attention is given to the guarding and maintenance of this class of machine. A new safety poster directed to power-press operators was published and widely circulated to machinery-owners during the year. The poster is plainly printed, and advises a check up cvf pyess and guard before the machine is started.up. It also directs that anything that does not seem right should he reported without fail. A second new safety poster was also printed and circulated during the year. It is of a generalpurpose mature, directed to all machinery operators, and instructs that they should make sure that guards are. in position and properly adjusted before starting machinery. A danger notice calling attention to all dangerous practices connected with running machinery and quoting a section of the Inspection of Machinery Act relating to the guarding of machinery was printed in two colours and distributed during the year. The safety poster is regarded as one of the most important means, next to mechanical safeguards, that cftri be adopted for the prevention of accidents. It can be said that no one lives safely these days : 'it is true some are exposed to great risks and live dangerously. No one, however, need live foolishly. The poster is a reminder.of the many accidents due to foolish and careless actions. Owing to the hecessity for the most efficient use of man-power, the. work of accident-prevention is more important 'at'present'tjian in times of peace. The following table shows the number of accidents, both fatal and non-fatal, which occurred 'during'the year. The various machines at which the majority of the accidents occurred are mentioned, together with the leading industries in which they are engaged : —

8

' : i : ' ' ' ll tfo' bo t? . j« .2 ? , : .2 5P ■< ■ .S'S .• & g . £ .s . arg -5 Is . S3 S o ••• Mft'iMnes. ' |g- ' f ti, ' 2-| ' £ If a "2 45 II a ■■ | I Z% $ I ■ | £ ®. ■'»■ *J 1 •§ -a IS i I «1 1 I 3 .1- I -i.it 1 wgn ■'■<■ 'ii T : ■ 7 ~ : "~1 : 'Circular sawb .. .. 17 1 1 .. 1 .. '.. j .... 20 Other saw* .. .. .. .. : .. .. .. .. | .. J iPlftweasi •• •• 6' .. | j. .. .. .. j .. 6 Shapers and moulders . . 2 ...... . . ' . . - .. ". ; . . . . 2 PoWMJ'ptfesiSiiji 5 .. .. .. .. .. 2 9 .. I 6 1 17 Quilldtihe's' ,l '' .. .. .. .. .. .. j .. .. .. .. I 2 j 2 Lautidry' 1 '" ,ij: .. .. • .. - .; V. ' .. .. .. ! .. ' BuCciters'' miheers .. .. .. .... .. .. 1 .. .. .. 1 Lifts 1 .••"'«(! .. .... .. .. .. j .. .. 1 1 •Gwhes'-'ftiUS 1 hcftsts ■ .. .. .. .. .. Belting ..' .. ' .. .. .. .. j .. ,. .. | .. 4 4 Shafting .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . . | ,. .. 1 1 Ge&ring ! ,J '' 1 .. . . 2 .. 'j 1 .. 1 4 Other MaCfriflea .. .. 5 4,4 1 2 .. .. | •" 4 1 27 48 .{ t i «' m . j; i ! ;;•( ) ' • 1 ' i __J Total (industries) . . 32 5 5 3 12 .. 1 I 5 1 42 106