WORKERS ON THE WATER FRONT

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 288, 24 August 1918, Page 8

WORKERS ON THE WATER FRONT

REPORT OF COMMISSION ON

ACCIDENTS

PROPOSALS FOR BETTER

INSPECTION

THE PRINCIPLE OF PREVENTION

Tho report of I he Waterside Accidents Commission was made available by the Minister of Marine (the Ron. T..M. Wilton!; yesterday. Tho following were the members of (lie Commission:—Hon. T. M. Wilford, Minister of Marine (chairman), Captain C. M'Artlmr (representing shipping interests), Mr. J. Marchbanks (representing harbour boards), Mr. L. Glover and Mr. ,T. Huberts (representing the Now Zealand Waterside ' Workers' federation). They were directed to inquire into and report on tho following matters:— 1. Aro existing regulations and methods of inspection of all gear used, for loading and discharging of all ships and hulks, and for handling cargo on wharves, sufficient to ensure that all gear is in good and safe working order? 2. If not, what provisions should be made—(a) In respect of tho main ports? (b) In respect of other ports? (3) What steps can be taken to 'prevent or minimise accidents to workers engaged in what is known as waterside work ? The Minister's Remarks. In a covering noto the chairman (Mr. Wilford) remarks:— "Representations havo been made for many years by watersiders' for a commission to examine into the question of accidents on waterfronts, which, unfortunately, are of daily occurrence, and this Commission was set up by the Cabinet oil my recommendation not with the idea of providing a method of eliminating the 'inevitable' accident which must always be present ill every walk of life, but with tho idea of reducing tho number of accidents that can bo labelled 'preveniable.' That such accidents will bo reduced if the recommendations aro given effect to by Parliament I have no doubt, and I am also voicing the opinions of Captain M'Arthur and Messrs. Marchbanks, Glover and Roberts when I say that many methods of safeguarding those engaged in watcrsjdo work havo been found as the result'of this searching inquiry. No fewer than twenty-seven new methods of dealing with waterside work have been unanimously agreed upon by Hie shipping representative, tho Harbour Board's riepresontative, and tlio waterside workers' representatives, hi tho interests of those who suffer accident and those who depend oil them, in the interest of economic progress, mid in the interest of commercial prosperity, tho result, I am sure, will be worth the price; while the fact that the watersiders themselves have been able to take part as ju<lges in tho deliberation of tho commission will show the workers themselves that tho Government has . been ready and willing to assist then) in the efforts they aro making in reducing danger and accident to a minimum. "I wish to place upon record the excellent 6ystein adopted by Mr. W. H. Haiaer, engineer of tho Auckland Harbour Board, in relation to the ropes used by that board. The life history of every rope used by the Auckland Harbour Board is kept in a way which ovary harbour board should imitate. At a' glance it is possible fol - anyone to see and trace tho machine any ropo lias been used on, its location, what the Tope was used for, the construction of the rope, the maker's name, the circumference, the working load in tons, tho date when the ropo was put into use, tho number of hours it svf used, the date of examination, tho number of hours it was worked since last examination, the i then condition, the date renewed, and, in short, tho life history of tho rope. When this system becomes generally known it will bo generally adopted. . In regard to the reports of accidents which happen in various ports, in my opinion the system adopted in every case, except that of the Wellington Harbour Board, is faulty and unreliable. The Wellington Harbour Board's system, inaugurated by Mr. H. E. Nich«fe, of recording all accidents, could well bo copied by all tlioso concerned in the question. "I desire to thank and to record my indebtedness to Captain M'Arthur and Messrs. Marchbanks, Glover and Roberts, tho gentlemen who acted with me in tho commission, for their, valuable assistance. The manner in which each presented and conducted his easo beforo the commission was commendable, and I feel sure that the knowledge each possessed of the details of waterside, work went far in producing whatever result has been attained. In conclusion, I believo it will bo found in years to come that the carrying into effect of the recommendations of the commission will reduce 'preventable''accidents, which result is, of interest to all." THE RECOMMENDATIONS Twenty-seven recommendations were unanimously agreed upon by the Commission, whilo nine extra recommendations were decidcd by tho chairman of the Commission, as it was impossible to obtain unanimous decisions as to those recommendations, though, '.n 'regard to several, the differences of opinion were so narrow that a decision was simple. ~, Inspection of Gear. To tho members of tho Commission it .came as n surprise to find that the inspectors of gear under tho Marino Department were not legally authorised to inspect any gear other than gear on ships. After taking evidence it was unanimously decidcd that inspectors of gear under the Murine Department should have their (lowers extended to include tho inspection of all running gear and all subsidiary ..appliances used for discharging and loading cargo and coal from or into not. only ships but also hulks, storeships, ov lighters, or handling it on wharves. The extension ot the inspectors' powers in that direction is reallv necessary, for accidents occur unfortunately on' hulks and lighters and wharves, and it was considered by the (Commission that owners of gear'should not be their owb inspectors, but that the inspection of such gear should be made bv come neutral or disinterested person, 'lo effect that, purpose amendments will have to be made in the Harbours Act and in the Shipping and Seamen Act, and the Commission is of opinion Jthat tho present regulations of harbour boards in New Zealand will necessarily "equire revision and 'consolidation. Machinery, After going thoroughly into (.lie qucslon of tho inspection of running gear, the Commission decided that the inspection of all machinery used for loading and discharging ships, hulks, lighters, or storeships, and for handling cargo on shore should be carried out by an inspector of machinery appointed by the Marino Department, and recommended that legislation be placed upon the Statute Book io give effect, to the matter. Much evidence was taken in reference to winches, and after considering such evidence we came to the conclusion that it would be well to provido that n'l winches shall bo opened up, dismantled, inspected, and put in thoroughly good working order at; the annual inspection of ships surveyed in New Zealand. 'This is a precaution .warranted by the evidence submitted to .us. Discharging Coal in Baskets, Tho evidence submitted relating lo discharging coal in baskets by menus of a bull rope on to a stage for loading directly into carts or other vehicles proved to us that it was necessary that, a minimum width should be fixed for tho staging lo be used for imjcli purpose. Wo agreed that in such cases stages should he not less ffcm 3l't. Bin. in v;idtli, and should be firm. This will minimise the danger to those engaged on this class wor ' £ - . , ~ , ~ Accidents have happened through the T-iron, which is used for working a bullropo, coming adrift from tho coaming.

Some witnesses suggested a'two-pronged 'i'-iron sealed and clamped, and others a single, shaft securely fastened to the coaming. After going coretnlly into tlio evidence submitted we agreed that il. was necessary for the purposes ol fiatetj that the T-iron bo securely bolted to tin. hatch coaming, and consequently made the recommendation herein. \\ c au. fixed tho diameter of the-1 of such iron at 3 inches. ~, , „„ Accidents have occurred through mei being required to "go out" on beams lo ship or unship them, \arious device, and methods of obviating this real danger wero suggested, and we eamo to tho conclusion that tho time had arrived when "bridles" should bo .shackled to tho ends of thwartship beams in order that they might bo shipped andjinsliippcil without danger to tlioso pngoged ju tho work. This, we believe, will minim wo accidents. Wo were informed by witnesses that such a practice was already in vogue, ill ono steamship line, and wo propose to make it mandatory and general. Accidents have happened through foro and aftor-hateh beams falling when men wero shipping and unshipping them. I lie Commission unanimously decided that where fore and after-hatch beams wero used lanyards and bridles ol t'lfliciont length should always l» available tor tho purpose of enabling such beams to bo shipped and unshipped front <leck. Jt also decided that all timber, fore and after-hatch beams, should bo shod witn iron to minimise wear and ensure safety. Wo deem this of first importance. i Lighters and Launches. In order to' Ascertain tho conditions pertaining to lighters and launches engaged in roadstead harbours, the Commission took evidence in Napier, and whilo thero hoard witnesses also from Wanganui and Gisborne. We decided that tlio time had arrived when tho Government should make it imperative that all lighters and launches engaged in roadstead work should carry sufficient life-saving applances in good order and condition to enublo nil men on board to lie furnished with them in caso of peril. Wo also decidcd that when hulks wero being moved from Port Chalmers Dunedin lifo-saving appliances should bo carried. It was proved to tlio Commission that such a recommendation was needed, and should, be cai'riod out. without any delay. Tlio Commission further d® ciiied to require all ligTifors and launches working in roadstead harbours to carry blue lights for ■ signalling when necessary. Serious accidents havo occurred through coal baskets becoming unhooked. Several now kinds of hooks were produced to tho Commission, but the actual style of hook was not agreed upon, though it was unanimously decided that a new form of hook was urgently necessary. Working Loads. The Commission received much evidence relating to the working loads of chains and the working loads of wii-o, manila, aniillax ropes, and of lanyards on cargo nets. We decided tliat it was quito possible for tho Marine Department to prepare and issue a table giving the recommended working loads. It was deemed all important that such table should be issued without delay, for it was clearly proved to us, ind must lie evident to till, that a recognised table, for all to work by would reclnco the risk of accident, and would therefore set'tle the controversy whicli frequently aroso as to what was "a working load." Thero is no regulation requiring all ropo makers in New Zealand to guarantee by certificate attached to ropes tho breaking strain of any rope manufactured for sale. This seemed to .the Commission to be wrong. A rope, apparently new, of Uin. thickness, which had never been touched by acid or used or strained, was produced io the Commission, and this ropo could bo broken liy a hand strain without great effort. Serious consequences might have occurred had this condition of tho ropo ill question not boon discovered beforo use. We feel that tho time has arrived when, in the interests of all, responsibility should bo placed on those who should bo able to test a breaking strain of a ropo at the time of its manufacture or sale. Lighting Ships and Hulks. The Commission went exhaustively into the question of ships and hulks when loading or unloading cargo at night time. Wo heard evidence as to tho neces. sity of making it mandatory that electric light should be used. We found that no regulation couJit Bo made which would meet every port, so it was decided lo recommend that elcciric light be used where such a current could be obtained, and it was also decided that harbour boards should provide connecting plugs where necessary, ancS- wliere current circulated, so that inovablo clusters could be attached. Generally, wo believe that it is imperative that electric light should be used where it can possibly bo provided. Fumigation of Vessels, Evidence was taken dealing with the fumigation of vessels. instances ot men Joeiog "gas*si" ww 'Commission, bu't.Uiougn iimnj lions wero made we teit | ll;u ,"""J 1 bo wise to decide to ash Dr. 10 prepare suggested regulation.-, to U a witn tliis very technical mallei, and a recommendation to Umt effect was unanimously agreed upon. We 1 eel, nojtiHi. that something should be done, and don 11 Tho Commission decided that, a regulation was required imposing a penutj u the event of the foreman in charge if work on a vessel in dry (lock or on patent slip failing to notify I.he engineer Before the propeller ot 1 ' Such v h,™ ssw /lonU 'ind may easily result 111 fatulilictf. wiv nllink to the decs head ol sUgn.o on il 'hip's side should in eveiy caw have a se t of stanchions and a• ut ' tached to one side, or the plank. 't'he Commission recommended tli.it an. ilisc'we pipes and latrines, etc., on oar a ship in «l«* « 0,1 f should bo locked wh lo men were «ork- , stop-valve of tho "working, boiler ««»• locked while | 11 would minimise the nsk w accwen., ■ind that when cleaning boners men SSVT» de„ues j_ oac ] on Lighters. Tho Commission was of opinion that the time had arrived when some responsible official shoiml decide the dick loud" to bo carried oil liglneis, anil t.u. position which such deck load should, occupy on such lighters. \\c ■ that a competent otficer of the Marine Department should in each case be apmiinlwl for that purpose, and thai, a fomprtent officer of tlio Marine Departmen?' should also decide when quired so to do what spae,. below should bej.-tt clear for men loading or dfec.iaigmg lighters. Number of Gangs to Work in a Hold.

The Commission recognised that to have arrived at an agreement in regard to the question of who should decide the number of gangs to work in a hold was certainly of interest to the water! rout and generally to those who received or shipped'cargo. All interested agreed that the decision in this very.important matter should be left to tlio Inspector ot Clear under the Marine, .pepar.ment, whose finding should bind all parties. In view of what had happened in past years and the very vexed which had arisen through the obligation not having been placed on any person to decide the question, tho Commission let, sure all would be gratified that a solution had been found for tho difljcnlty. and it was to bo hoped now that a decision had been come to that all would loyally abide by that decision, which was come to unanimously. • . , . ~ It was agreed bv all interests in the Comuiisison that the Inspector of Clear, was Ihe officer who should decide whether a man w unfit lo work through the influence of liquor, and. in the event of a regulation being framed and brought into force lo give ollec to the (incline, the Waterside Uorkevs Union agreed to u'u!"HM;n to support the decision nf fiueh inspector. Carjio for Particular Ports The Commission was of opinion that tho Inspector of Gear should decide whether the method of loading or unloading cargo into or from a ships hold for a particular port was n safe ono having regard to the safety of tho jnefl

working such hold. Up till now there . ]ia<l been many disputes and troubles reluting lq this question, and though t'he | Commission had taken evidence in regard to accidents only it was felt by the members that the. words in the recommendation, "sate for working," brought tlio recommendation within the order of reference. Tlio Commission found that somo ships provided electric light for men working bunkers, and sumo did not. It was confederal that electric light was safer than any oilier known light, and it agreed that that light should be provided whenever current was available. Not Quite Unanimous. The following recommendations were approved by Messrs. Charles M'Arthur, .1. .V.'archbanks, L. Glover, and Jnmes Roberts, That when cargo is being loaded or discharged from a ship's hold for a particular port or ports, the inspector shall in the event of a disputo arising deeido whether tlio method of such loading or discharging is safe lor tho working of tho same. That ships' bunkers, whilo being worked, shall be lighted with electric light wherever current is available. Decided by the Minister. Tho following, on which the Commissioners were not unanimous, were decided bv tho Minister:— 'That when coal is being discharged from ships or hulks by means of liraius, stout planks of uniform thickness and of a total width of .10 inches shall be provided and securely fixed alongside tho tramline, or, in the alternative, stout planks of uniform thickness and of a total width of !M inches, with stanchions and a life lino on side, shall be provided. That on all ships registered in New Zealand, and on all hulks whether registered in New Zealand or not, all hatch landings on combings or beams shall 'bo not less than two and a quarter inches in width. That in the selection of men to act as inspectors of gear (head), experience and fitness for tho position, shall bo the tests' for appointment. . . i Insanitary conditions of ships holus. That in any port where thero is a port health officer, such office* shall, when complaint is made to him by men engaged in working in a hold that fitush hold is insanitary, order such steps to bo taken as lie may deem necessary to clean such hold, mid tho owners of the ship concerned shall bo compelled- to seo (hat tho course prescribed by him is carried out to his satisfaction; where there is no port; health officer, then the Marino Department shall appoint somo person to act in place of such port health officer. , , That tho inspector of gear shall be allowed in his absolute discretion and in the interest of the sufoty ol wiosu in" below deck to stop for such time as be° thinks necessary "chiiiping" at any particular placo ho may think lit. so that (orders being given may be clearly heard below. ~ .. That while men are working on the side of a ship in dock or on slip it shall bo the duly of tlio owner of such dock or slip to havo on deck a man whose duty it. shall bs to prevent ropes fastened to the deck being interfered with, or anyI thiii" being thrown over the side so as to endanger those working on tho sue, and when men aro working on the side ol a ship oil other occasions tho same duty and obligation shall bo imposed on the That tho inspector of machinery draft .a re"ulation with reference to the question of sludge hole doors of steam bo; ers being taken off or left on while boileis aire being cleaned. . . That an extra man bo employed in each stokehold during the time in port when men are engaged cleaning the inside ot boilers or in tank ends of furnaces to safeguard the possibility of accidents. Where, in loading or unloading a ship, any obstruction prevents the bull ropo man being in full, clear, and continuous view of the winclinian, an extra man shall bo employed, who shall ne in lull view of both winclinian and bull irope mail, and whose sole duty shall bo to communicate signals from winchman to bull rope man, and vice versa.