Miners' Health and Safety.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 3, Issue 51, 1 March 1912, Page 9

Miners' Health and Safety.

ROYAL COMMISSION'S REPORT.

The report of the Royal Commission which was directed to inquire into the prevention of accidents, ventilation of mines, sanitary conditions, and tho stops necessary to guard against miners' phthisis has been laid before Parliament. It contains scores of recommendations, and is accompanied by a bnj volume of evidence. The recommendations also provide that mine inspectors should have power of summarily prosecuting for offences involving safety of human life, and that additional powers be given to the workmen's inspectors. 'fJiree of tho Commission, Messrs. Parry, Dowgray, and Cochrane, favor the payment of workmen's inspectors by the State, but tho remaining mombcrs dissont from this proposal. Inspectors should have the power to prohibit the use of electricity in mines where there would bo risk of explosion of gas or coal dust. Change houses should be provided at every mine, and baths wherever there are ten employees. Miners' phthisis has not assumed serious proportions in New Zealand, states tho report, and remedial measures may reduce, if not entirely eradicate, tlio disease. They suggest as protective measures the compulsory use of dust-preventing appliances in mines, free medical treatment to suffering miners, and adequate relief from the Gold Miners' Relief Fund, subsidised by tho Govornment. Messrs. Parry and Dowgray, in a minority report, recommend the prohibition of the midnight shift and the contract system aa remedial measures against the disease.