Omaha daily bee., 1911-04-04

comes in time, but IL IS often through T.
the painful and narrowing experience Of T.
avoidable accidents and fatalities which I
were not prevented.
The scientific study and solution by the
mechanical engineer Of individual problems
Of safeguarding. supervision and instruc-
ton OF employees as they arise IN their
daily routine viii do more than all other
existing agencies to bring about satisfac-
tory results. The progress OF the art OF
preventing Industrial accident depends
very largely upon the amount OF intelli-
gent interest manifested In the subject by
members OF the profession. whether en-
gagged I'm plant maintenance. the manu-
facture Of tools and other apparatus in
vention Of safeguards or in works admin
istratve In such matters the attitude
and action Of the executive Is all-impot-
tant and gives the keynote TO the whole
plant
"All Industrial accidents are not to be
considered preventable either by employer
or employe. but ! believe that by proper
supervision and precautions and the Gull
tivauon OF greater care by operatives at
least one-third Of the present annual sac
rifice OF life and limb can be prevented,
thus Increasing our national assets and
large amount Of human suffering and sor-
row obviated. In one plant which had a
yearly average Of 200 accidents. good
deal OF consideration was given to pre-
ventive measures. both mechanical and ad-
ministrative. AS a result Of such steps.
which reduced the earning opportunities
OF no employe, the number of accidents
for the last annual period was only sixty
four. In no case had any accident oc-
g.. .
the employer. and in only one case was
the injury contributed TO by the negligence
OF foreman or responsible overseer.
chief Causes.
TN Analysing many thousands of indus
trial accidents / have found the following
to be the chief causes Ignorance. care
lessness unsuitable clothing. insufficient
lighting, dirty and INSTRUCTED work places
defects Of machinery and structures, and
absence of safeguards Some superintend-
ents. a number of foremen many opera
tives, and not a few managing owners Of
smaller plants are grossly ignorant of the
forces and mechanical arrangement which
It is in their power either to control or to
set free. with resulting danger to them
selves and others. The bright and nervy
American workman, so admirable in many
respects, is easily first in taking foolish
and wholly unnecessary chances with his
life and limbs. The exaggerated ego mani
tests itself frequently in ostentatious indie
/ pendence. full Of danger to himself and
others. The ragged sleeve ends. loose ties
and open Jackets of untidy machinists have
again and again been wound upon seem
ingy trivial parts in motion and. through
the powerful effect of coil friction, have
( inflicted frightful and often fatal injuries.
THE absence of safeguards. though not
the most prolific cause OF accidents in
plants, closely concerns the mechanical en-
gineer who holds the possibilities largely
In his own hands In addition to the wide
scope afforded the mechanical engineer for
assisting in the conservation OF life and
limb In the operation of Industrial machin-
/ cry, there are not few matters calling
for his attention and for administrative
regulation at various dangerous processes
used in the arts. Chemical, electrical, me-
tallurgtcal engineers and other Industrial
specialists have to reckon with risks to
health. which, though not all strictly acct
dents, will probably before long become
charges upon industry. Here also our aim
as engineers and humane employers OF
labor should be primarily prevention.
In all industries executives have to
reckon closely with the varying degrees
OF responsibility which can be devolved on
the young persons, women ano male adults
respectively, who constitute our labor
forces. 1t would help somewhat in acct
dent prevention II in general hiring prac.
tice no person Of either sex under 10 years
Of age was employed at or near machinery
and no employe Whatsoever was allowed
TO clean machinery while in motion. EN-
ployment such as described may have seri
Gus civil consequences II It results in acct
dent, and any employer is consulting I'm
portant personal interests when he takei
all possible steps to prevent dangerous EN-
ployment about machinery and processes
whether under statutory restriction Of
not."-New York Times