Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-10-02
PLAN TO GUARD LIFE.
Machinery Makers Could Minimize
Danger From Accidents.

Danger From Accidents.
William J. Manning. Medical Officer Government
Printing ONCE. in the Hygienic and Dietetic
One is bound to reflect. after observing
workmen and others MANNED for life from
rapidly moving machinery. in addition to
noting the poverty and Strengthened cir
cumstances in which their respective fam
lilies become involved. due to the lessened
earning capacity Of the head of the fam
lily, SO injured If he should recover. or
the complete earning capacity lost If he
should die as a result of the Injuries re-
ceived from and upon such machines, and
impress ones self or mind, In addition
to all the physical pain and mental an
guish caused thereby. whether all this
cannot be avoided in the great majority
of instances.
If we will delve deeper we will note
the perplexity and distraction Of judges
and juries who pass upon claims for
damages in these cases in order to be
the employer, and If the tremendous ex-
pense incident to such legal procedure,
which the taxpayer must bear, and con-
slider the millions of dollars that have
been paid in the settlement or awarding
Of damages-treasure that is thrown to
the winds Of the earth and that tends
to increase rather than diminish the num-
Der of cases-and that u.s., further,
but palliative in its results and make
shift at best: and should we search still
closer we find permanent injuries re-
ceived and loss OF limbs that mere money
cannot begin to offer compensation for
There is and should be a cause for
these and additional conditions that lack
of space will not permit OF mention. Lo-
cate these causes. we say. and remove
them and the troubles referred to will
disappear.
One of the fundamental and widely
taught principles in the practice of medi-
cine and so utilized by the conscientious
physician, is to search for the underlying
cause of the illness or affection, rather
than to treat the symptoms of the NAL
ady specifically. that would tend. If so
treated, to reappear again and again at
longer or shorter intervals When the
cause can be located its removal Is at
tempted. and with its removal the alarm
ing symptoms disappear. and pain. If it
Is present, vantshes.
We can apply. upon reflection. this self
same principle In the removal of the
cause. when indicated. in many walks.
vocations and conditions of life, and
among these are the accidents arising
from rapidly moving machines, and great
ly minimize this danger or avoid five
sixths Of the accidents in this regard.
when and where the limbs and bodies of
the operators are required to attend or
operate the respective mechantsms, In the
following manner or along similar lines:
If the manufacturers, selling agents or
builders of all power machinery were
compelled or required by federal or state
laws at the time of building or selling
their machines to purchaser. who intends
to utilize such mechanism in the manu-
facture or output of bis product, to put
up bond of. say, 5 or 10 per cent Of
the total or original cost of such ma
chine, said bond to run and be In force
during the estimated life or serviceable-
ness OF the mechanism. from which bond
a given sum or sums may be drawn upon
as required for the construction of me-
chanical or other safeguards. devices
barriers or bulwarks, should weak points
appear or an accident occur at point
where there was supposed to be little
danger when the machine was first con-
structed. it would greatly tend to MIMI
mize the possibility of such accidents in
the first place and most positively pre-
vent the recurrence.
The builder of such machines when they
are first being constructed. under such
regulations. will cover every possible
point OF danger. and go even to further
extremes in order to obtain low rates
from the bonding or insurance company
with which the bond would have to be
filed, precisely as in the case where low
rates are given on fire and other kinds
Of insurance when the risks are lessened
The ingenuity of their respective mech
dHlSIIlS muSL DE QTdWn upon 10 supply
these devices, as was the case with other
parts of the machine and it's functions
when 1t was first suggested or built. with
the added feature of providing for the
safety Of the operator as we'll as speed
and quality for the manufacturer.
If the safety devices are left to the
manufacturer or employer to place on
the machines, by legal requirements. like
other mortals he puts the matter off until
some other day. or the very first op-
portunity.'' or the first time we shut
down for repairs etc. In the mean
time. as it is always the unexpected that
takes place. an accident occurs,
Some such provisions in the state or
federal laws would be made more eff
fective If the sale OF machines or the
entire transaction could be declared lille
gal and not binding upon the part Of the
purchaser unless the law has been COM
piled with on the part of the seller agent
or maker of the machine before such sale
or the machine Is used.