More Factory Accidents It is deplorable that the annual Report
of the Chief Inspector of Factories should record a substantial increase in the number of industrial accidents. The figures for 1937 are approximately 9 per cent. above those for 1936. The prin- cipal explanation given is the growth of industrial activity, especially in the heavy industries ; though, in fact, the increase in accidents has outrun the increase in the number of persons employed. The most interesting point made by the Chief Inspector is the difficulty of getting workers really interested in safety. There is not much room for improvement in factory regulations ; what is improvable is the vigilance of the employees. A large proportion of accidents arise from the merest carelessness, and from mechanism—such as revolving shafts—whose danger is familiar to all. There is room for a great deal more persistent educational work of the Safety First type. It is regrettable that only a comparatively small proportion of factory-owners are members of the Safety First Association.
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