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Accidents Reported and Investigated.
In offices 5
In retail shops 17
In wholesale shops and warehouses 10
In catering establishments open to the
public, in canteens, etc 4
As in previous years, new registrations have resulted mainly from
routine checks and constant surveillance of vacant premises, rather
than as a result of action taken by employers to register. The number
of office premises registered at the end of the year continued to show
an increase, but retail shop premises show a slight decrease due partly
to the closing of a number of the small types of shops, and partly due
to the bigger combines closing down their smaller units.
Inspections continue to follow the same pattern and once again
it has been found that contraventions are in the main of a minor
character. Infringements under Section 16, arising from inadequate
maintenance of floor covering, obstruction of stairs, and trailing wires,
are quite common, and the best of employers and managers tend
sometimes to be complacent in this respect. In multiple office blocks
it is noted that the practice of having a series of small offices is giving
way to the open plan system which in my opinion is infinitely better.
Due to the heavy demand on the services of lift mechanics and
engineers, employers have difficulty in ensuring that minor lift defects
receive attention quickly, although normally no such difficulty arises
where renewal of suspension ropes are required. Where lifts not
connected to mechanical power exist, there appears to be reluctance
on the part of some employers to comply with the requirements of
the Regulations, but again, no serious difficulties have arisen.
No legal proceedings were instituted during the year.
No reports of serious accidents were made during the year, and
the total number of accidents reported (36) is about average. As in
previous years, all accidents reported are investigated and recorded.
I find that however seemingly insignificant an accident may appear
to be, some advice can usually be given to prevent a similar occurrence.
Fork lift trucks in warehouses are an easy, manoevrable form of
handling and cause few complications, but floor surfaces over which
trucks travel are very often uneven and even hazardous, and particular
attention is paid to this when inspections are carried out. Conveyors
in some warehouses and supermarkets are constantly in use and wear
is very heavy. The slatted type tend to become dangerous when slats
become loose or break away. Here again particular attention is paid
to the condition of the slats and their fixings when inspections are
carried out. I find that small electric service lifts such as are used in
supermarkets are regularly examined, under the (Hoists and Lifts)
Reports Order, 1968, but persons operating these lifts tend to put
speed first and safety second, with breakdowns occurring very
frequently.
The booklet 'The Safe Use of Food Slicing Machines', SHW
14, has not been generally distributed in this Borough. When inspections
are carried out, general guidance is given on safety measures,
and the requirements of Sections 17, 18 and 19 are brought to the
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