Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-07-31
SAFETY FIRST IN
STATE FACTORIES
Chief Inspector Nelson Tells of
Results of Work of De-
partment for Year.

Completing his first year as chief
son yesterday issued the official fig
ures of the work accomplished under
his direction in the Safety First" pro-
paganda, according to the law COM
monty termed the Health, Safety and
Comfort Law"
The bulletin by Mr.. Nelson shows
that 5,7S5 establishments in the entire
state were inspected during his adj
ministration as against 3,S45 the pre-
vious year. In Chicago 3,24S plants
were visited by inspectors during the
past IL months, whereas only 1883 es-
adjustments were inspected the year
before. In towns outside of Cook
county the number of shops inspected
for the past year is 1851 and 1857 for
the previous year.
In the course of the year the de-
49,1O5 official orders to correct dan
gerous conditions, an increase q 81
partment of factory inspection issued
rs orders over the preceding year.
Throughout the state 35,725 danger
Gus machinery parts, as against 25,-
673 during the previous year, were
supplied with safety guards. The gen
eral term dangerous parts includes
gears, sprockets, projecting set
screws, belts, shafts, etc. In Chicago
alone dangerous parts to the number
of %, sos were rendered safe. A total
of 1852 dangerous machines in the
entire state were enclosed with prop
er guards. BY dangerous machines is
meant any power driven machinery, i
such as saws, planners, wood shapers, |
jointers, iron mangles, emery wheels, |
ovens, FORCES, etc.
Faulty building construction was |
in 1926 cases, 1888 orders |
for proper sanitary conditions called |
for modern water closets, sanitary |
clothes lockers, suitable dressing /
rooms for each sex, open plumbing, |!
and washing facilities consisting of
running hot and cold water. Accord
ing to this law one basin must be pro-
vided in factories for each 80 employees,
Tor each so employees.
THE pursuit of Safety First says
Mr.. Nelson, "by the state, while hav-
ng the general aim of the movement
n vogue in some of our industrial con-
Germs, goes farther in that it is bring
ng it to the attention of the public
generally II is aiming to enlist tic
support of everybody, whether engag-
I'd in industrial or professional occu-
patton. This means that what until
low has been left to the individual will
n the future have the aid of the state.
rhe importance and seriousness of
he states intentions is manifested by
he large number of orders issued call
ng for extensive alterations during the
asst year.
The very fact that last year in
illinois 12.72S workers were injured
$50 of them fatally-calls for larger
lumber of inspections of the thou
ands of plants in this state with a
Jew to protect all zones OF hazard. n
"a large number OF accidents can
10 avoided by good common sense.
This is particularly true OF many wo-
nen and girls wearing jewelry. Ev-
ry employer should prohibit his fe-
male help from wearing bracelets, es-
,ecially of. the chain variety. They
re not tight fitting and invariably
rag a hand or arm into some fast
machine. Rings are also apt
o catch.
"On the other hand many injuries
nd deaths cannot be guarded against,
kept through protective devices.
However. II is important to note that
ONE machinery may be replaced by
modern inventions. Not the least of
many triumphs of the introduction of
lectric power in manufacturing plants
-. .Ia.,, \.
ng machines. One of the most dan
erous meohanisms in the factory is
he belt by which running power is
onveyed from the shaft to the ma. ~