The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-05-10
DAMAGE FROM LIGHTING
FIXTURES

In many cases an inspection of light
ing fixtures often reveals that vcr~ -
| tie attention has been paid concerning
! their location in unsafe places. Ere.
| quantity gas or electric light fixtures are
placed in such a position that persons
deriving illumination from these fix.
lures are accustomed to sit directly un.
der them. Especially is this true where
lighting fixtures of the indirect type
are used. The globes OF these lights are
usually of very heavy material, and are
kept in position by bolts running
through the glass or being bonnd around
the edges. Persons who frequent the
rooms in which heavy globes are placed
| seldom give attention to the fact that
there is possibility of the globe or
shade cracking and falling down upon
| them.
In barber shops the electric light or
lighting fixture is frequently hung di.
rectly over the BARRIERS head. If the
globe should crack or the chade become
loose, serious accident to patron
sitting in the chair directly underneath
could scarcely be avoided. An example
of this happened few years ago. A
shop of this character had been com
pletely renovated and among the i'm
provements which were installed were
large aeetylene gas burners with heavy
porcelain shades. Gas of this kind pro.
duces an extremely hot fame, and,
owing to the fact that the shades were
not the proper kind, but were intended
for use as electric light fixtures, they
became cracked through the intense
heat large piece fell down on one
of the patrons of the shop and, fortu-
nately, instead of striking him in the
head, hit him on the arm. The injury
was only slight, but it showed the
necessity of safeguarding people from
the danger of the more serious acci-
dents which might result if glass would
fall on the head.
Gas and electric fixtures are fire..
quently found in homes, so situated that
those using the light from them are
forced to seat themselves directly un-
derneath. In some instances fixtures so
located have contained cracked or
broken shades. Such a condition is un-
questionably one which may cause con.
siderably injury to those unconscious of
the danger.
1t is only within the last few years
that the source of danger has been re-
celvlng some attention, and the neccs-
slty for it became apparent as soon as
the large type of shade refectors came
into use. This new type of shades is
usually made of extremely heavy glass,
and naturally becomes very great
source of danger if it is cracked.
The Department of Labor and In
dustry is glad to call attention to the
work of accident prevention along this
line which has been accomplished by
various manufacturers. Especially is
this true of large electric fixture man.
ufacturing company of Pittsburgh. This
company has recently inaugurated
practice of placing a wire netting
around all heavy shades on lighting
fixtures. If the shade should break from
any cause, the particles of glass are
prevented by the wire netting from
falling on person who might happen
to be underneath. The company has
shown at some of its various safety
exhibitions, pictures of the particles of
glass from broken shades being held in
position and prevented from falling by
the use of wire netting.
Attention is, therefore, directed to
this hazard which may exist in fac
tories, homes, hotels, apartment houses,
department stores and various other
shops. The department urges that all
proprietors of such places make pro-
vision so that persons who frequent
them will be prevented from being in
.iured by falling particles of glass from
fixtures which have been placed direct
ly overhead where persons are assem-
bled