London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Kingston upon Thames 1966
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kingston-upon-Thames]
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C. CAUSE OP ACCIDENT.
| National figure for 1965/66 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Resulting from a fall | 32 | 35.5% | 40.0% |
| Handling goods | 24 | 26.6% | 21.4% |
| Striking against an object or person | 7 | 7.7% | 9.7% |
| Struck by falling object | 6 | 6.6% | 5.1% |
| Using hand tools | 6 | 6.6% | 5.6% |
| Power machinery | 3 | ||
| Non power machinery | 3 | ||
| Machineiy at rest | 1 | ||
| In connection with vehicles | 3 | ||
| Not specified | 5 90 |
D. NATURE OP INJURIES.
| Bruising or crushing | 28 | 31.1$ | 27.2% |
| Surface injury or wound | 27 | 30.0% | 22.9% |
| Sprains or strains | 26 | 28.8% | 27.8% |
| Fractures and dislocations | 7 | 7.7% | 13.9% |
| Burns | 2 | 2.2% | |
| Other Injuries | 2 | 2.29% |
Although the statistics for the Borough can only be regarded a3
a small sample. some conclusions do emerge.
The total number of employees registered is not divided between
male and female and therefore on the number of accidents reported it
cannot be said that men are more accident prone than women.
In view of the fact that the number of returns is small and
therefore somewhat suspect. too much significance cannot be placed
upon the fact that 80$ of reported accidents occurred in retail
shops. although it must be admitted that employees are possibly less
at risk working in an office than the other registered premises.
It is interesting to note that the causes of accidents follow
the natural pattern.. It is not machinery that produces the greatest
risk. but rather the neglect of common sense precautions. The most
common accident results from a fall and is usually associated with a
trip on a staircase. a badly placed pair of steps or something equally
simple and avoidable. The second place of importance is an accident
involved in handling goods generally caused by failing to use a step
ladder. poor arrangement of stock in racks. or not lifting in a proper
manner.