Norwich bulletin., 1915-02-25
SAFETY FIRST ADOPTED
 AS TELEPHONE SLOGAN
Southern New England Starts Cam
 paisn Among Its Employees.


 campaign. Signs have been posted throughout the exchanges of the com- paEy, foremen and other supervisors have been directed to caution their men and to take all possible care that nore are hurt. Aside from the human itarian side of the problem, the cam pal2n has an important economic aS- pect, for the necessity of keeping trained men in the pink of condition is realized more each day by executives who are trying to keep down expenses. It is business to spend $1o to keep your trained man from hurting himself rather than spend s20 to train man for his work.
 It is our intention to assume even greater activity in the current year, for the purpose of educating our em- ployes as to the causes of accidents which happen from day to day and showing how similar accidents may be avoided
 It has been demonstrated that a special organization can do much to prevent accidents by stimulating in- terest and activity in promoting safe ty Therefore, this company has ap- pointed a safety committee to direct accident prevention work, consisting of the following members: T. N. Bradshaw, chairman; C. H. Clements, secretary; W. NJ. Cox. Nels Johnson and A. L. Berthelson. Sub committees of district and exchange employees who are careful and conscientious employees will later be appointed to cooperate With the central committee.
 In order that this plan may be successful, it is necessary that every employe should cooperate with the committee: CD By thinking safety first as far as he himself or the public is concerned; @ by cautioning his fel- low wOrkmen when they are careless; C3l by reporting defective plant or tools immediately to his superior, and (4( by making suggestions to the com mittee as to what may be done to pre- vent accidents.
 The company is adopting this plan because they are solicitous of the vel fare and safety of our employees, and it is the individual his family and his friends who suffer directly as a result of accidents. Will you cooperate with us in securing your own protection from accidents?
 Accident Prevention.
 A great deal has been written about accident prevention. Statisticians ad- wise us that 90 per cent of all indus trial accidents can be eliminated by two methods: CD By the establish ment of safe working conditions and operating precautions. The latter can be attained only when the individual exercises care. thoughtfulness and good Judgment in the performance of the work
 Several of the greatest drawbac cks to the elimination of accidents are the natural carelessness on the part of the Individual himself or false pride in assuming a hazard to elevate himself in the opinion of his feloWmen. Skilled wcrkmen frequently desire to show that they can perform a dangerous act Tn order to demonstrate their ability Such men must learn that safe and sane" performance of work is the greatest test of mans real ability.
 The Responsibility.
 great responsibility in the elim- ination of accidents rests on the fore men and supervising employees, who must not only insist upon obedience to the company's rules of safety, but who should also familiarize themselves with the causes of accidents and instruct their men accordingly.
 Foremen should plan each job so that the work may be performed with the least danger to the men, anticipating any possibilities of accident which might arise.
 F'oremen should frequently inspect all company tools which are issued to them and make sure that they are in good condition.
 The number of serious accidents has increased considerably this year, as compared with last year. and in every instance the investigations have indi- cated that these accidents have re- suited either from the careIessness of the employees or from disobedience of 1 the instructions of safety of employees. This company is making every en- deavor to encourage and obtain the safe conduct of it's work and each em- ploye is strongly urged to cooperate with us in preventing accidents, either to himself, his fellow employees or the public.
 When you are careless or take a risk do you stop to think of your family or relatives who are dependent upon you?
 An accident means that some one didn't care.
 The price of safety is eternal vigil ance and carefulness prevents acci- dents. The lack of care causes more accidents than the lack of knowledge. Be sure you are safe-then go ahead; make haste slowly.
 Falling Poles. Our records show that many of the most serious accidents and several fla tai ones have been caused by poles falling while the men are working upon them. Investigation of these ac- cidents usually discloses the fact that the cause of the pole falling was due primarily to decay at the ground line, 1 and also that the pole was not properly inspected and guyed or otherwise se- cured by the lineman before climbing. Very often a pole may be sound enough to support a man climbing or working on the pole when so side strain is put upon it, but as soon as any appreciable side strain is brought to bear upon the pole, and it is not properly guyed in the opposite direc- 1 tion. it will break off and fall. Sometimes the poles are pulled over | by the men themselves, as in cases where 1t becomes necessary to dead 1 end the wire on a pole at the end of a | line or some time where long loops ara being placed at right angles to the lead ana considerable strain is necessary 1 to pull up and fasten the loop where ! it belongs. Also. poles frequently ap- pear to have been holding g. heavy line | of wires, but as soon as the wires have 1 been removed the poles fall. This usu- | ally occurs in connection with the pole i replacements. Care should always be | taken to see that old poles are proper l ly lashed to the new pole or guyed or removing the wires.
 | Accidents in connection with falling 1 poles have sometimes been rendered
 more serious by the fact that the men
 were secured to the pole by means of l body belts or 'safeties." From this 1t ' might be inferred that the safety
 was a dangerous tool to use, but every | lineman knows that when the "safety' | is used properly and Is carefully | watched as to wear and other defects, | it allows the lineman not only free l dom of movement, but also acts as a | life saver in case of contact with live I fa1