SAFETY OF WORK AT THE BLUFFS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 11, 4 September 1931, Page 3

SAFETY OF WORK AT THE BLUFFS

allegations refuted CHARGE THAT PRECAUTIONS WERE NOT TAKEN UNTRUE RECENT FATALITIES RECALLED

("Post" Special Commissioner) .

WELLINGTON, Thursday. Statements which had been published since a fatal accident oceurred on August 3 to a workman employed by the Puhlic Works Department on the construction of the road along the Waiohau Bluff s on the Te Teko-Gala-tea Road, have drawn a reply from the Minister of Puhlic Works, the Hon. W. B. Taverner. The statements referred to alleged that steps had not been taken to ensure that the work was . being carried out with due regard to the safety of the men and that proper provision had not been made for the conveyance of injured workmen to the nearest doctor or hospital at Whakatane. "No one regrets more than I do," said the Minister, "that two capable and experienced employees of the department have lost their lives on this work since it was commenced a few months ago. The road is being constructed along the face of a high bluff and there is always an element of danger, but for that reason only experienced men have been employed on the bluff. Furthermore, I have been assured by my engineers - that the work is being carried out by the safest possible method and that every precaution has been, and is being, taken to prevent accidents. In support of this there is the finding of the coronial enquiries, which indicated that the men lost their lives accidentally. Other workmen on the job have testified on oath that the method of working is quite saf e, and that proper safeguards were taken to prevent accidents." Statements Denied Dealing with the allegation of insufficient provision for the conveyance of injured men for medical and hospital treatment, the Minister said that when the New Zealand Workers' Union communicated with him in the first instance, he immediately instituted inquiries and was informed that there were several motor vehicles on the spot. This, however, was denied by the union and the Minister was again assured, both in writing and personally, by the district engineer, that there were several motor car.s In good running order immediately available in the event of an accident occurring, and in addition a motor eycle was kept in readiness, in order that a messenger could proceed rapidly to the telephone office at Te Teko and ring for a doctor. "Reports which I have received concerning both accidents," said Mr. Taverner, "convince us that there was no undue delay in obtaining the services of a doctor, considering the long distances from the works to the telephone office at Te Teko and the doctor's residence at Whakatane, or in conveying the victim of the first accident to Whakatane Hospital, where he died a few days after admission. It will be remembered that the second • man expired almost immediately after he fell. However, when the district engineer was in Wellington recently, he pointed out to me the desirability of having the work connected with the nearest telephone office at Te Teko and I immediately gave my approval of the erection of some twelve miles of telephone line to enable this to be done." Issue of Permits The Minister also mentioned that in an article which appeared an official of the New Zealand Works' Union was quoted as having reported that a certain inspector of stone quarries visited Waiohau Bluff after the second accident and issued quarrymen's tickets to the workmen without examination or inquiry as to their qualifications or experience. Mr Taverner explained that this inspector of stone quarries, who had since been communicated with by the permanent head of the Mines Department, had replied that he visited the works almost a month before, and not after, the second accident, and issued quarry foreman's permits to five applicants after questioning them and otherwise satisfying himself that they possessed the necessary qualifications and practical experience. A permit was refused one man. The Minister remarked, in conelusion, that the five men to whom permits were issued were old and experienced employees of his Department.