ANALYSIS SHOWS ACCIDENTS AVOIDABLE
Accidents can be prevented by
closer attention to our working habits.
An analysis of those injuries in our
plants during 1959 which required
medical attention indicates practically
every accident could have been pre
vented by the injured person or some
other employee whose neglect contri
buted to the accident.
Careless handling of materials
accounted for 14 minor injuries last
year. Two injuries were results of
"twisting the body while lifting. " The
weight of the objects being lifted was
not great enough to cause strain; the
manner in which they were handled was
the gremlin responsible for the damage.
Closer attention to proper lifting
methods would have prevented consid
erable pain. Consider next aseamer
who allowed a stocking she was carry
ing to touch the floor. She stepped on
the stocking, causing her to fall.
Eighteen per cent of our accidents
were due primarily to some minor de
fect of a machine which could have been
easily corrected. Parts sometimes
become jagged or sharp and should be
replaced or corrected. Improper
stowage accounted for three accidents.
In each of these cases, one person
was injured due to the faulty work of
another. Improper work habits ac
counted for eleven per cent of our
injuries, while improper operation of
the machine was responsible for seven
per cent.
Your chances of an injury are
greater at ten o'clock in the morning
and at three o'clock in the afternoon.
Your hands and fingers will be in
jured in forty-five per cent of the
accidents. The eye is the next most
likely to be injured. The back will
account for twelve per cent of the in
juries and for considerable time lost.
Men account for sixty per cent
of our accidents, although we have
- 9 -
almost twice as many women as we
have men employed. Women account
for most of the falls; most or our eye
injuries happen to men while they are
working with grinders.
One day is almost as safe as the
other. Friday was the day of the week
with most accidents, but the margin
was not great. Most accidents oc
curred at Plant #1; but, there are
more people working there. Plants
#7 and #9 operated the entire year
without a disabling injury.
The young and old share alike in
injuries; there is no pattern in this
respect.
Lack of experience is a factor
that can definitely be spotted. Thirty
per cent of injuries in our plants in
1959 were sustained by employees
with less than a year of experience.
Injuries, large and small, can
be eliminated in I960 by constant
individual attention to our work. The
split second we take our mind off
our work is when the accident is most
likely to occur. A thorough examina
tion of our machines, or work area,
will most likely reveal some item for
improvement.
❖ ❖
PonYbusk
rH£ tveATHER-
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