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51
his physical ability, ascertain the type of footwear used and whether or not
spectacles are worn etc. Close questioning sometimes brings out other
factors closely related to the incident.
The number of accidents reported in 1968 was 150, compared with 118
in 1967. The number of notifications has therefore increased, but as a large
number of the accidents reported are from multiple firms in the Borough it
is thought that a number of notifiable accidents must still continue to be unreported,
in view of the number of premises registered. Occupiers are advised,
when general inspections are made, of their responsibility to notify
accidents as defined in the Act.
Haste and endeavour to "save time" continue to contribute to a large
number of accidents. Persons running to closing lift doors and falling in
the attempt, hurrying downstairs, "speeding up" conveyor belts and taking
"short cuts" all contribute to the increasing number of accidents reported.
A number of firms employ "week-end students" for short periods. The
risk in such employment lies in the fact that such employees do not always
receive adequate training in handling machines or are unaware of the particular
hazards of the occupation and several accidents have occurred for
these reasons.
An accident was caused in a builder's yard due to the contents of a
paint kettle, containing caustic solution, being splashed into the eyes of
a yardman. The man was employed in clearing up the yard and the paint
kettle, together with other open cans had been in the yard for some time and
had been filled with rainwater. The contents of the various containers were
therefore unknown and when the paint kettle was picked up suddenly, the
accident occurred. Fortunately access to a nearby standpipe tap supplying
fresh water reduced the injury to the skin of the face particularly around the
eyes. Hospital treatment followed and the injured person recovered from his
facial injuries. The provision of an eye bath in the First Aid Box would
have been of considerable assistance in this case. Such an eye bath is not
required under the Regulations and the appropriate officer of the Ministry
appointed under the Act has been informed of this shortcoming.
A boiler fitter suffered burns due to the blowback of an oil fired burner
which he was testing following breakdown.
Consideration for the welfare of warehousemen, boiler attendants, lift
mechanics and maintenance engineers leaves much to be desired in the
preparation of plans of many new buildings. Boiler houses have been found
to be constructed with extremely cramped conditions for the workers and a
number of these rooms lack secondary means of exit in case of fire. Very
often no provision is made for a bench where a mechanic may deposit detached
parts, lighting points are not always correctly placed and it is found
difficult to attach long lead cables to inspect remote parts of the boiler.