FUTILE WARNINGS

Hokitika Guardian, 7 October 1929, Page 2

FUTILE WARNINGS

EASY METHODS WITH GELIGNITE.

CAUSES OF ACCIDENTS

WEI.LING TON, Oct. 4

“There is no foundation in fact for the allegations made against. Public Works officials by Mr Cook, president of the Alliance of Labour, in regard to the handling of explosives on our works,’’ declared the Hon E. A. ltansom, Minister 01 Public Works, when his attention was directed to an interview on tnis subject. In this statement, Mr Cook blamed the Engineer-in-Chief of the department for failure to issue instruct.ons in handling explosives to departmental officers in charge of men.

“The instructions issued on this subject,’’ said the Minister, “are very explicit, and take a number of forms, with the object of impressing not only the officer in charge but the men themselves with the danger of improper handling of explosives. In 1927 the department issued a circular on,these lines and on August Ist. last followed' this up> with a twenty-three page booklet containing diagrams showing how to make up charges, how safe storage piaces should be built and full instructions for safe Use. Again, on September 11th. last the department distributed throughout its works danger notices printed on calico, enabling them to be placed in a prominent position where all workmen would see them. As to the unfortunate accident at Waikaremoana, the department has received a report from its officers. A man was examining gelignite in a tent in the morning before work, and dropped a>plug on a hot iron hearth. The gelignite was not frozen, but' in any case there was a warm pan and hot water with a special man detailed to give gelignite attention in camp.”

The Minister declared that the department could not have taken more care in this particular case, but unfortunately its frequently repeated warnings apparently had been Aoverlooked. ; 'V

“The previous accident was dqe to warming gelignite in a frying 1 .pan when proper hot water appliances were available but not used. In the face of these facts,” concluded Air Ransom, “it is unfair that . departmental, 'officers who have taken so much care to impress on employees the danger of; improper methods of handling explosives should be blamed for regrettable accidents, and it is only just to them That these facts should be placed before the public.”