NEGLIGENCE IN WORK

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 234, 30 June 1944, Page 6

NEGLIGENCE IN WORK

Cases Heard By Manpower Appeal Committee There has been much comment on the fact that the Manpower Appeal Committee in Wellington held an inquiry into the circumstances of a collision between two trams with special reference to the •part played therein by one of the motormen. The committee was asked by the traffic manager of the Wellington Corporation tramways department to consider •a request that this motorman be reduced to ths rank of conductor from a disciplinary point of view. . The tramways representative mentioned in course of the hearing that such matters had previously been dealt with by the management, but they did not now have that power. . , „ The direction that such hearings shall be held by the manpower appeal committee is contained in Section 23 of the Industrial Manpower Emergency Regulations, 1944. Sub-section (1) provides that if any person employed in essential industries or essential undertakings “fails to perform this ’ work with due diligence, or wilfully or negligently fails to exercise proper skill and care in the performance of his work, or wilfully or negligently fails to comply with any reasonable rules, instructions, or directions made or given for ensuring the safe or efficient operation of the undertaking, he shall be deemed to harp committed an offence under the regulations.” Sub-section (2) provides for any such offence to be reported by the employer or the employer's representative to the district manpower officer, who will forthwith investigate the allegation. If he then is of the opinion that an offence has been committed and that. the circumstances warrant further action being taken against the worker, the district manpower officer is to report the matter to the manpower appeal committee. Sub-section (3) of the regulations directs the manpower appeal committee to consider the matter, giving all interested parties an opportunity to appear be'fore it and be heard. If after consider■ation the committee is satisfied that an offence has been committed, the sub-sec-tion directs that it may order a deduc,lion to be made from the wages of the worker or may authorize the taking of judicial proceedings against the worker.