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Copies of the reports of examination of defective hoists and lifts are now beginning
to come in as required by Regulation 6(3). Where the engineer has indicated under
Paragraph 5 (a) that the repair is required "immediately" it becomes especially important
how this is interpreted. How immediate is "immediately"? It clearly implies that
the lift should be put out of action until the repair is carried out which, in some cases,
would virtually paralyse movement of stock between store-room and shop. This would
appear to be unavoidable.
The Regulations prescribe a period of 28 days within which a copy of a report on
a defective lift must be forwarded to the Local Authority. Clearly this could mean
that the Local Authority may remain unaware of a seriously defective lift for as long
as four weeks after this fact had been established. The responsibility for the lift of
course remains with the occupier but, in the event of a serious accident, the Local
Authority would probably be a target for criticism.
Part III — Accidents
ALL accidents, of whatever character, are fully investigated. The total of 34
reported accidents makes this administratively possible and is considered valuable partly
to demonstrate to both employers and employees the importance placed upon all
measures the employer is required to take to ensure safety and partly to underline the
employees own responsibilities in this field. It is also considered to be a contribution
towards ensuring that accidents do get reported by demonstrating that each report is
considered seriously and not as just so much formality.
None of the 34 accidents in 1969 involved contraventions of the Act. Most arose
from thoughtlessness or carelessness or over-confidence in the use of tools or equipment.
Handling of goods and use of hand tools (in each case a knife) provided equally the
highest total of one category of accidents — 6, although different categories of falls
together totalled — 11.
In 4 instances informal advice was offered to prevent a recurrence.
Retail shops provided easily the greatest number of accidents (24) and 18 of these
were in supermarkets.
Part IV — Prosecutions
It is pleasant to report that no case of contravention of the Act whether established
by routine inspection or arising from an investigation of an accident required the
institution of legal proceedings during 1969. One would hope that this indicates
perhaps a greater degree of acceptance of the provisions of the Act and therefore a
greater readiness to comply with its requirements.
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