XN000022-1972-11-16 — Page 3

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Thursday, November 16, 1972

ACTION NEEDED TO REDUCE ACCIDENTS ON BUILDING SITES

Two workmen were killed and 251 injured on building construction

sites during October, according to reports received by the Labour Department.

Of the total, 59 were the result of "atepping on or striking against

objects".

The Industrial Safety Training Officer of the Labour Department

Mr. A.H. Carter said.today that this type of accident was nearly always the

result of "poor standards of housekeeping on the site".

"If management, supervisory staff and workers as a team got to

grips with this problem, we would see a reduction in these accidents. A little

time spent on removing the protruding nails and stacking the planks in an

orderly manner, would save many a foot injury," he said.

Mr. Carter stressed that poor standards seen on so many construction

sites were the biggest contributory cause not only to accidents resulting from

stepping on or striking against objects, but also to accidents generally.

"Not only do high standards of housekeeping: lead to a reduction of

accidents but also results in greater efficiency and thereby financial

savings."

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