POWER EMPLOYEES' RISKS.

Shannon News, 21 October 1927, Page 1

POWER EMPLOYEES' RISKS.

METHODS OF INSURANCE UNDER REVIEW.* An explanation of the method of covering accident risks for employees' in the electrical industry, was received by the Horowhenua Power Board yesterday, in a letter from Mr. Morrison, [the Palmerston branch manager of the I State Insurance Office. At the previous meeting of the Board, the Chairman (Mr. G. A. Monk) had called attention to the altered position in regard i to the cost of accident insurance, stat- | ing that whereas previously the 35s i rate covered ordinary workers and liveI wive men, all the workmen, including I meter-readers, had now been brought I under a 45s rate. A resolution was referring the question of the I insurance of workers to the executive ! of the Power Boards Association with a view to the amalgamation of the insurance business the whole of the Power Boards. I The position was set out in Mr. ! Morrison's letter as follows:—With re- ■ gard to meter-readers being charged the same rate as firemen, the Office decided some time ago that the only justifiable method of splitting Power Boards' wages sheets would be: (1) Clerical, (2) quarrying and tunnelling, and (3) others. If "others" were further split, the office could give a lower rate on such men as meter-readers, but would require to increase the rate on wiremeu. As it' was >found that some Power Boards were employing linesmen as meter readers and viee versa, it was considered that the better method would be to take "others" at the all-round rate of 455. .This had been ruling as the rate for electric supply authorities for several years. For electric construction before current was turned on, the Office charged 345. As from January Ist. the weekly compensation was increased from 58 per cent., to 66 and two-thirds per cent., and compensation for death .was increased from £750 to £IOOO. No genral increase in rate had been made to cover these increased benefits, except that the discounts formerly allowed on a portion of large premiums had been done away with. It was hoped to provide for the increased benefits payable by reducing the Department's expense "rate, and they had already had a pleasurable improvement in this direction. It was hoped also, by obtaining the co-operation of employers in safety methods, to reduce the number of claims.

The Boards secretary (Mr. P. W. Goldsmith) stated that the executive of the Power Boards Association was taking up the question of insurance as it effected the Boards" and had decided to obtain from them information as to their risks and the rates charged, besides an indication as to whether they would be favourable to pooling the business if suitable terms could be-made. On the motion of the Chairman, the letter from the Insurance Department was received.