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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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