Evening star., 1917-09-30
Industrial
Accidents.

question, is it reasonable to look for
ward to a time when accidents will be
so few as to be negligible. or must we
contemplate always having a huge
YEARLY toll of deaths and injuries in
industry?
The prevailing belief is that 1t is
hopeless to think of anything like the
elimination Of accidents. at least with
in q measurable time. But the results
Of a recent study by officials OF the
bureau of accident causes in the iron
and steel industry pointedly suggest
that the current belief may be erro-
neous-that. while it may not be pos
sible to do away with accidents, 1t Is
quite practicable to make industry 30
serious accidents will be Of exceptional
occurrence.
This conclusion is the result of
careful analysis of the accident ex-
perience Of the iron and steel lndustry'
but in a broad way 1t would seem ap-
plicable to all industries. The premises
upon which the conclusion is based
may be summarized as follows;
l. Up to very recently emphasis mas
auency of accidents rather than upon
their severity. The vast majority OF
accidents, it has been found. occurring
in the iron and steel industry are OF
minor character. Thus. even "hen IN
cluded, more than so per cent OF all
the injuries reported caused disabilities
terminating in less than one week. But
from the standpoint Of time lost these
minor injuries were much less impor-
serious injuries. The accidents result
ing in death, although constituting only
about 15 per cent OF the total NUMBER
Of accidents caused total loss OF time
amounting to more than IS per cent OF
<ypoa
dental injuries. In order to arrive at
the amount Of time lost 1t Is necessary
to express fatal injuries and permanent
disabilities. as we'll as temporary dis
2. The safety movement has dwelt un-
duly upon the carelessness Of the worker
and has stressed too little the Importance
Of safe tools. safe machines. safe nrac-
tices and safe construction. CareleSsness
and ignorance, those making the investi-
cation saw on the part of the worker are
undoubtedly responsible for many acci-
dents. but chiefly for the .. accidents &C den OF 81. a
definite limitation upon the safety or
eanization idea as usually practiced. With
its committees. its publicity methods.
safety organization has been tremendously
dents.
methods in reducing accident frequency
was so great it came to be regarded as
the explanation not only of the decrease
in frequency Of accidents. but also as
accounting directly. by immediate effect
on the workmen. for the decrease IN fatal
and serious accidents.
g. Fatal accidents and serious acci-
dents. as appears from the study made
BY department officials. are primarily due
to fundamental engineering or structural
defects in which the workman has mo
part. The reduction in the rates Of death tn
to engineering revision of structure and
practice and it is in that direction that
The first attack of the safety movement
was upon unguarded machines Exposed
and other things Of similar character
done This came to be known 1,S n,a,,a as me, NE
said to have been rather disappointing
The machine when closely studied did
not prove to be as important in causing
accidents as 1t had been supposed to be-
The safety organization was inaugurated
and appealed strongly to the human fac
tor. The success in reducing accident fire.
ouency was immediate and extraordinary
and is still being carried on with great
benefit.