H.—ls.

The numbers of accidents reported during the year in connection with boilers, pressure-vessels, and power-driven machinery were 3 fatal and 119 non-fatal accidents. The corresponding figures for the previous year were 5 fatal and 101 non-fatal accidents. In all cases the causes of the accidents were fully investigated and all practicable steps taken to improve safeguards and eliminate hazards. The number of fatal accidents was rather less than in previous years. The first accident occurred with a log-hauling winch mounted on a motor-truck. The winch had not been inspected or certificated by the Department. The shafting and gearing were not properly guarded, and in the course of work the winch-driver's trousers were caught by a revolving shaft and his right foot was torn off. He died in hospital from the injuries. The second accident occurred with a goose or swing saw. A steel rope attached to a ballast weight broke when the saw was swung forward for the purpose of cutting, and the saw came in contact with the operator's body. A permanent stop or check chain is required to be fitted to this class of machine to limit the forward travel. The machine with which the accident occurred was fitted with a check chain, but, unfortunately, it was not in position at the time of the accident. The remaining fatal accident occurred with a lift used, at the time, to transport spoil from an excavation jobin a cellar. The lift was fitted with the usual safety-devices designed to prevent the car being moved from a landing unless all gates are closed. At the time of the accident the safety equipment had been wilfully rendered inoperative and so adjusted that the car could be moved from a landing with the landing-gate open. During the absence of the car from the landing a workman fell down the lift-well and received injuries which proved fatal. The number of non-fatal accidents reported during the year, 119, is a little less than the average for the preceding five years. Under wartime conditions when workers are often working under strain and beyond normal hours and so many new workers have entered industry, an appreciable increase in the number of accidents might be expected. The circular saw with 18 accidents and the power-press with 12 accidents again proved to be the most hazardous machines used in industry in New Zealand. Particular care is given to the inspection of these machines, and safety posters issued by the Department call attention to their dangers. Thirty-five out of the total of 119 accidents occurred in the woodworking industry. 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.

Accidents 1941-42.

General Harbour Regulations . The number of accidents to persons engaged in loading or discharging or repairing ships, together with the failures of gear used in loading or discharging ships, notified under Regulation 103 of the General Harbour Regulations, was 279, of which 2 were fatal accidents. The following is a classification of the accidents and failures : — Handling goods . . .. .. . . .. .. .. 83 Persons falling or slipping .. .. •. .. .. .. 35 Persons struck by falling or swinging loads ~ ~ .. .. 100 Persons stepping on or striking fixed objects .. .. .. 9 Contact with power driven machinery .. .. .. .. 3 Failure of gear. . .. .. . ■ . . .. .. .. 32 Not otherwise classified .. .. .. .. .. 17 Total.. .. .. ..279

3

fl W> . 60 jf If «.a 61) .g •§ _ s ,g -I 1 1 . § I g> g | Machines. Jj § £P ? f t? £ |« % | S. a "2 £P •§ *%& H a u ~ H O 43 *c -g cSfXJ C3 0«+HS R S te O M cH fl43 3 pjrt M -2» cet> a> ® & 2 o 03 o "5 o I EH pp o H Circular saws .. .. 16 .. 2 .. .. .. .. 18 Planers . . . . . . 7 .. 1 . . . . .. .. 8 Shapers and moulders .. 4 .. .. .. 4 Power presses .. .. .. . • • • • • 7 .. .. 3 1 1 12 Guillotines .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 1 1 3 Laundry machinery .. .. .. 3 .. .. . . .. 3 Mincers.. .. .. .. • • • • 1 1 • • • • 2 Lifts .. .. • • • • • • • ■ 4 4 Cranes and hoists .. .. • ■ 1 . • 1 • • 1 3 Belting . . .. .. .. 1 • • 4- 5 Shafting .. .. .. • • 1 1 2 Gearing .. .. 3 I .. 1 5 Other Machines . . . . 5 3 1 5 13 .... 10 1 15 53 Total (industries) .. 35 5 5 5 22 3 1 14 4 28 122