View report page

51
(v) Diseases of the Alimentary Tract (473 spells, 4,568 days)
There were no significant points in the occurrence of these diseases, except that in the
case of unestablished lorry drivers and unestablished carpenters absence was above
average. The high figure of absence in the over 65 age group has no significance as the
average number of persons at risk was only between three to four. However, the age
group 25 - 44 years shows a slightly higher rate of absence then the other age groups.
(vi) Psychoneurosis (99 spells, 2,782 days)
There was an insignificant difference in the absence caused by this type of illness in
established and unestablished staffs. The prolonged absence of a few persons has
brought the total number of days, in this group, to a fairly high figure. Discounting the
few cases of prolonged absence, the sickness in the various trades and age groups is
fairly low. In the few cases where the diagnosis is of a serious nature, it is usualforthe
absence to be prolonged, due to the nature of the illness; for example, the absence of one
man alone has amounted to 534 working days. The tendency, if any, shows greater
mental stability in the older worker.
(vii) Accidents
Accidents occurring both during and outside working hours are included in this classification.
The analysis has been sub-divided according to the part of the body affected and
the remaining unspecified, multiple and other accidents, such as stings, form a final
general group.
The overall accident rate for the 832 male manual workers was 10.9% per annum, the rate
being the highest amongst younger workers, falling from 18.3% for those under 25 years to
7.3% for those over 54 years. Accidents to the extremities of the body accounted for a
large proportion of all accidents, approximately one fifth affecting the foot and ankle (53
cases) and another fifth the hand and wrist (51 cases). There were 34 cases of inj uries
to the spine, usually resulting from lifting strains. Injuries affecting the head and neck
accounted for 33 absences.
The highest accident rate, (24.3%) was amongst Refuse Disposal Works Labourers and
Plant Attendants, and was more than twice the average rate. Building and Road and
Sewer Labourers also had high rates; 16.6% and 16.4% respectively.