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Monday, April 30, 1973
OVER 300 HURT ON BUILDING SITES LAST MONTH
A total of 358 workers were injured last month in accidents on
construction sites, according to reports received by the Labour Department.
Mr. A.H. Carter, Industrial Safety Training Officer of the Department,
said that for the first time in many months there was no fatality in such
accidents.
"However," he said, "this does not necessarily reflect that there
was an improvement in safety measures in the construction industry.
"In fact the number of injuries showed a slight increase over the
figures for February".
He said that as in December last year during which 267 workers
were injured and four killed, the main cause of accidents was "falling
objects".
Since April last year 610 workers had been injured and eight killed
as a result of being struck by falling objects.
Mr. Carter said that many of these accidents could have been avoided
had managements paid more attention to housekeeping.
He said: "To reduce the number of accidents of this nature, those
working at heights should be provided with proper working platforms. Small
items and tools should be kept in suitable receptacles. Large items must be
safely secured."
Mr. Carter pointed out that a small nut falling from a height of 50
feet had the penetrating power of a bullet.
"It is therefore