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Monday, February 26, 1973
ACCIDENTS AT BUILDING SITES IN JANUARY
A total of 334 workers were injured and one killed on building
construction and sites of civil engineering construction during last
month, according to reports received by the Labour Department.
Of this number, 70 were the result of stepping on or striking
against objects. The fatal accident was the result of being struck by a
falling object.
"Stepping on or striking against objects is one of the prevailing
causes of industrial accidents," said Mr. A.H. Carter, Industrial Safety
Training Officer of the Labour Department.
"This type of accident has resulted in 643 injuries over the
past ten months.
"Many of these accidents could have been avoided if a higher
standard of housekeeping had been enforced by management.
"Waste materials as well as protruding nails from odd pieces of
timber should be removed from the sites, and raw materials should be
stacked in an orderly and safe manner," he stressed.
Mr. Carter went on to say that in addition to the physical steps
that should be taken to reduce accidents, the training and education of
employees at all level to become hazard-conscious is of the utmost importance.
"This is particularly true with accidents where the human element
plays a prominent role.
"You can never physically prevent people from stepping on or
striking against objects but by training and education you can make them
aware of the tragic results." he added.
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