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the properties. On reinspection 15 notices have been complied with and in
the remaining cases works were in progress and the most urgent defects had
received attention to enable the hoists and lifts to operate in a safe condition.
The total number of inspections and reinspections of lfts during the
year was 87.
It is essential that adequate arrangements are made for the safety of
persons using lift motor rooms. The doors to the rooms should be locked, the
access ladder must be safe with grab rails or handholds provided at strategic
points. Adequate lighting with switches provided at easily accessible points
must be provided. The trap door opening (and any dangerous machinery) must
be fenced. The Local Authority Inspector is expected to envisage hazards and
to recommend appropriate precautions. The dangers inherent in the handling of
this type of machinery are often underestimated and the amount of work involved
in the enforcement of the Regulations is considerable.
Some cases dealt with during the year are as follows:—
The internal approach to the lift motor room of an Insurance Company's
office is so hazardous that legal action is being contemplated.
One disused lift, serving three floors, was found in a food shop. The
doors of the basement and ground floor means of access were found securely
locked, but the first floor lift door was found wide open. The lift well served
as a useful means of depositing therein disused shop equipment,cartons,
boxes etc. but in addition the opened gate presented a most dangerous hazard.
As a result of an urgent notice to the Company the accumulations and deposits
were removed from the lift well and the lift sealed off at all entrances.
So bad was the Lift Inspector's report on a butcher's goods lift that the
Company decided to discontinue its use forthwith and to seal it up.
The motors and lifting machinery in one office block were found to be
situated on a concrete platform six feet from the floor of the motor room. Any
person inspecting the motors, ropes and sheaves was in danger of falling off
the platform. Action is being taken to provide guard rails around the perimeter
of the platform.
The number of accidents in offices, shops and warehouses reported to the
Department during 1970 was 155 and all were investigated. This compares
with 132 in 1969.
When premises are inspected, occupiers are reminded of their obligations
to notify accidents reportable within the meaning of the Act.
Every endeavour is made to interview the injured person, whether in
hospital, at home or in the place of employment, when frequently a different
version is obtained of the accident as compared with that reported by the
management.
A male young person, not being under supervision, was wrongly instructed
to clean a bacon slicer, and a tip of a finger was removed by the blade. Legal
proceedings were instituted and the case is mentioned at the end of this report.