B—ls

Machinery The following statement shows the number of machines, machinery plants, lifts, cranes, hoists, and tractors (Group " B ") inspected during the year ended 31st March, 1950, and the corresponding figures for 1948-49 : 1949-50. 1948-49. Machines driven by steam power in 1393 plants .., .. .. .. 6,426 7,270 (1,449 plants) Machines driven by power, other than steam in 13,614 plants .. .. .. 95,530 88,287 (12,481 plants) Electric-power-sup pi v units . . .. 152 63 Lifts -. .. .. .. 3,696 3,665 Cranes .. .. .. .. .. 744 729 Hoists .. .. .. .. .. 2,182 1,988 Tractors .. .. .. .. 299 269 Total inspections in Group "B " .. 109,029 102,271 Total inspections in Group "A " .. 17,330 16,801 Grand total of inspections (Groups "A" and"B") .. .. .. 126,359 119,072 The increase of total machinery inspections of 6 per cent, since 31st March, 1949, indicates the continuance of the rapid extension of the mechanization of New Zealand industry. Plans of all new boilers, air and gas receivers, and other unfired pressure vessels and of new cranes and lifts totalling 752 units were examined and approved by the Inspection of Machinery Branch during the year ended 31st March, 1950. They included 54 new power cranes and 14 lifts. For the year the number of reported machinery accidents involving personal injury or death totalled 111, of which 4 were fatal and 107 non-fatal. The corresponding accidents "for the previous year were 134, of which 10 were fatal. It is pleasing to record a slight reduction in the non-fatal category and a substantial reduction in the fatal category. One fatal accident arose from an attempt by a tractor-driver to oil a tractor-shaft coupling while it was in motion, and resulting in his clothing being caught and his being killed in the machinery ; the second from the development of tetanus following hand injuries caused by the victim's inserting his hand in the roller of a wool-blending machine whilst it was moving ; the third fatality was due to the deceased being caught in the moving driving-belt of a portable saw bench, and the fourth by a lift cleaner being crushed between the moving lift car and the fixed lift enclosure. The circumstances of every accident, fatal and non-fatal, have been investigated by the Department, and improvements effected in the machine or guards wherever practicable. It is pleasing that the number of fatal accidents is below the average for several years, but investigations of this year's fatalities again confirm the fact that it is the new or casual worker with machinery who is generally fatally deceived by the apparent harmlessness of moving machinery. Action has been taken to reduce the danger arising from rotating saws which are not in continuous use by requiring in all such cases that efficient stopping and starting appliances shall be fitted. These in the cases of saws driven by belts from line shafting comprise fast and loose pulleys. In the case of saws each driven by its electric motor start and stop switches are required to be fitted conveniently near to each saw.

14