CCIDE>NT 3AFE.TY FIRST Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2007 with funding from IVIicrosoft Corporation http://www.archive.org/details/accidentpreventiOOunitrich ACCIDENT PREVENTION An amplified revision of an illustrated talk on Accident Prevention in Certain Public Utilities, presented at the Public Policy Meeting of the Thirty -Sixth Annual Convention of the National Electric Light Association, Chicago, June 4th, 1913. SAFETY FI RST ) > . J , J » ■» J 'j'. JO J* Th e United Gas Improvement Company Philadelphia COPYRIGHT 1913 BY The United Gas Improvement Company CONTENTS General Page 11 Illustrations Pages 16 to 96 Causes of Accidents Page 98 Effects of Accidents . . . . . . . Page 99 First Aid Equipment Page 105 281725 PREFATORY SO MUCH is being said and done nowadays in the interest of safety, that I cannot expect to bring forward any particularly new features, but must rest satisfied in the hope that the illustrations shown herein, together with the comments on the conditions and hazards, may stimulate, and help to continue, the interest of the gas and electric industries especially, in this important cause. Workmen's compensation laws are now in operation in many of our States. Twenty-six either have these laws in operation or their preliminary bills pending, and to this fact much of the progress in accident prevention is actually due, — because every law or bill provides for compensation to an injured employe regardless of the person at fault. In addition to the good done by these laws in the prevention field, they also mean a welcome decrease in misunderstanding and litigation between employer and employe, as the schedules of compensation are specific and automatic. As a rule, it may be said that it is not the failure of machinery or apparatus that swells the accident total, nor is it the obscure electrical or mechanical hazard, but it is the seemingly endless number of simple and apparently trivial hazards or practices, easily recognized by one not daily on the premises, that causes the most suffering and loss. First Aid is important in its place, but treatment of this character should not be allowed to overshadow the vastly more important work of Accident Prevention. Thorough preventive measures will make first aid unnecessary. In spite of the constant endeavors of workers in this field to bring the subject of safety effectively before employes by means of talks and demonstrations, the difficulty seems to have been to draw it to their atten- tion in forms which they can understand and readily use, and it is this need that this little book is, in a measure, intended to fill. Although the book has been designed for the use of superintendents, the nature of the conditions to which attention is drawn is such that the illustrations should prove of value to foremen and employes in general, who, it is hoped, will thoroughly familiarize themselves with the hazards indicated, in order that they may promptly recognize any similar hazards within their own territory. The illustrations are taken from a collection used in the form of lantern slides, which have been found, along with motion pictures, to be the best way to bring the various risks impressively home to employes. While we all, of course, desire to prevent accidents from a HUMANITARIAN VIEWPOINT, the consideration being an economical one as well, we should ever bear in mind that an accident avoided means MONEY SAVED, EFFICIENCY UNDISTURBED, PRODUCTION UNINTERRUPTED. James B. Douglas. Philadelphia, July, 1913. 6 ILLUSTRATIONS Description Page Safety League Placard 16 Pipe Marking Oxide Bed 17 Bars on Operating Floor . ,'^ 18 Bar Rack 19 Testing Lead Wires in Passageway 20 Projecting Valve Stem 21 Wiping Moving Pulley 22 Ordinary and Scored Hammer Heads .... 23 Coal Buckets with Hooks 24 Frequency Changer Set 25 Buckled Sheet Iron in Passageway 26 Same 27 Signs on Switchboard 28 Tar Separator Wells 29 Rubber Gloves and Safety Shields 30 Common and Insulated Screw Drivers . . . 31 Mushroomed Sledge with Split Handle . . . .32 Head Gears of Lathe 33 Brick and Conduit on Ledge of Wall .... 34 Glassware on Shelves . . . . . . . 35 Sledges on Bins 36 Elevator Foot Guard Plate 37 Copings Around Openings in Floor 3S Same 39 Loose Floor Plate 40 Standard Portable Barricade 41 Ladders on Truck 42 Same 43 Coal Hopper on Trestle 44 7 Description Page Low Guy Wire 45 Low Arc-Lamp Wires 46 Ornaments Over Doorway 47 Climbing Ladder 48 Safe Method of Climbing Ladder 49 Coal on Trestle-work 50 Leaning Clinker-Bars, etc 51 Conveyor and Crusher 52 Same, Guarded 53 Fire-reel Box and Handle .54 Exposed Handle on Well Cover 55 Flat-top Clothes-Locker 56 Sloping-top Clothes-Locker 57 Leaning Bars, etc 58 Subway Hangers over Passageway .... 59 Circular Saw . . . . . . ... .60 Same, Guarded 61 Shovel, Rake and Oil-can Hazards 62 Emery- Wheel and Switch 63 Emery- Wheel, Guarded 64 Loose Bricks over Doorway ...... 65 Steam Outlet in Front of Boiler 66 Projecting Nails 67 Elevator Counterweights . . . . . . .68 Same, Guarded 69 Manhole Cover with Ring Lift . .... 70 Wheelbarrows Stored Carelessly .... 71 Ell Projecting from Tank 72 Passenger Elevator Gate Finger Guard ... 73 Portable Station Platform ....... 74 Articles on Ledges in Elevator Shaft ... 75 Description Page Gate Swinging out over Footway 76 Same 77 Entrance Gate to Yard 78 Exhaust Pipe along Passageway 79 Telegraph Pole with Low Steps 80 Exposed Sash Weights 81 Iron Stakes in Yard 82 Guarded Exits to Buildings Adjoining Tracks . 83 Band Saw Incompletely Guarded 84 Exhaust Fan in Storeroom 85 Elevator Gate in Generator House .... 86 Same 87 Generator Lid . . . 88 Same, Improved . . ' . . . . . . . 89 Desk Paper-weights 90 Prevention Notice to Employes 91 Boiler-room Door Guide 92 Same, Improved 93 Gas Drip Box above Footway . . . . . .94 Sheave-Wheel Guard Plate on Elevator ... 95 Accident Prevention Stamps 96 Precautions for Men Working in Boilers . . 97 First Aid Wall Cabinet 106 Gas Kit 107 * Pocket Kit 107 Electric Kit 108 Books and Charts 109 pulmotor 110 9 GENERAL _;;Sj^U''v};>-i\h A INHERENT in all men is a tendency to carelessness which, in many hazardous occupations, reaches a point where familiarity with the risk occasions a sort of contempt that only too often results dis- astrously. When thought is given to the innumerable activities of everyday life, it is remarkable how little the average man seems to think or care about the hazards sur- rounding him on every side. As a rule he does not see how they can affect him. Even where a man has wit- nessed an accident due to carelessness, the lesson is shortlived at best. He may have his own ideas as to who or what was to blame for the mishap, and, thinking that he will not repeat the mistake, becomes possessed by a feeling of security and self-sufficiency which at times results in the happening of the very accident for which he should have been prepared through the experience of his fellow-man. Merely telling workmen to be careful and to take advantage of the safety devices provided will by itself accomplish but little in the way of preventing acci- dents. Warnings too often repeated and insufficiently varied, lose much of their effectiveness, no matter how attractively worded, but in using the experience of others and applying the lesson directly, the workmen become awakened to the fact that they are the greatest losers through preventable accidents. It is said that a burnt child dreads fire, but it seems absurd for a man to wait for an accident to happen to him before he takes measures against its recurrence. A man differs from a child in that his mind is developed to 11 s,u'cJ>';^!'p;oirit that he should profit by the mistakes of others without the necessity of personal experience entering into the question. It is clear therefore that the great desideratum in ac- cident prevention is that of educating the employes to be alive to the danger surrounding them, and to take care of themselves — to be careful. The very nature of the struggle for the survival of the fittest arouses in men a selfishness of which full advantage must be taken in order that the desired results in accident prevention may be achieved. Taking any given number of hazards, a certain proportion will without fail result unfavorably to the man taking the chances. The odds from the outset being against the man who puts himself in a position where there is a liability of injury, no one can afTord to take the risk. It has been well said that Accident Prevention Saves Misery and Money. Until within the last few years this twofold saving has not been appreciated, and in striving to increase outputs and sales, the avoidance of accidents has been overlooked as one of the factors reducing the cost of operation. Employers at times have been slow to awaken to the fact that most of the many simple accidents could have been avoided, and have not seemed to consider seriously the great double saving to be effected through prevention. As has been indicated, efforts have been directed mostly towards reducing costs and increasing sales, with little, and at times, apparently, no regard for the saving coincident with intelligently directed work in the prevention field. It surely pays to concentrate on prevention; the safe way is the progressive way of protecting both employe 12 and employer. A catastrophe avoided may mean lives saved and receiverships averted. An accident removes from his place, for the time being, the man his employer considers most capable in the line of work at which he is engaged. If it were not so, this man would not be holding his position. Through an injury the employer loses his services, and must replace him, temporarily at least, with a man lacking his experience and those qualities which earned him his place. Such an interruption cannot fail to show its effect on the efficiency of the plant; it disturbs the productive power and brings suffering into the family of the injured. From any viewpoint, leaving out of consideration the humanitarian aspect of the question, the industrial loss is such as to warrant the most thorough precautions to prevent accidents, not only on the part of the employer, but of his employes as well. Accident prevention assures each workman that his normal industrial lon- gevity will not be curtailed through the medium of preventable accidents. To accomplish this result, the whole-hearted co-opera- tion of employer and employes is necessary. The welfare and freedom of mind that follow the thoughtful and careful attention paid by employer and employes to the prevention of accidents, to a large extent deter- mine the efficiency of the working force of a plant. The employer should give every consideration to suggestions that might improve the working conditions, while on the other hand every employe should consider himself an inspector for his employer in the line of work at which he is engaged. He should feel it his duty to 13 report to his superiors any defect in materials, methods or men that may come to his attention. Every work- man should realize that his own freedom from injury depends on the care exercised by him and his fellow employes, and that their safety mostly rests with themselves. It has been variously estimated that from 30% to 50% of industrial accidents are preventable. Certain lines of endeavor include operations from which danger can never be entirely eliminated, but in all cases, care- fulness brings its own reward in a marked decrease in the number of accidents, and in a reduction of the seriousness of such as may not altogether be avoided. Preventable accidents may be classified under the following heads: First: Use of a wrong method by the workman. Second: Carelessness by the workman of his own safety and that of his fellow employes. Third: Defective or unguarded machinery, tools, appliances, etc. By far the largest number of accidents falls into the first two classes. Only care on the part of the workmen as a class will reduce the number of accidents due to these causes. The suffering and loss of time caused by accidents surely warrant the exercise of the greatest degree of care on the part of the men in the prosecution of their work, and call for their heartiest co-operation with their employers in the endeavor to prevent, and to reduce the number of, accidents. The following illustrations of conditions, which actually have, or at any time might have, caused serious accidents, have been secured from various 14 widely scattered sources, and many of them have formed the basis of several talks on Safety and Accident Prevention Work. Doubtless each reader can, from his own experience, recall at least one instance of sad loss and heavy cost due to accident. When it is realized that this loss might have been avoided, we find ourselves among those anxious to seize the first opportunity to join in and throw telling efforts into the great and good cause of Prevention. 15 Weatherproof cardboard sign for display around works and station yards. A similar impression is made on pay envelopes. 16 lii^^HP^ [ H^^r^^H 1 f™ 1 A simple hazard which resulted in a fractured foot is shown here. It consists of a short section of bent pipe which may have been placed at one time to mark the limit of an oxide bed. In this instance an employe's foot was caught and injured in the manner shown. The remedy is obvious. 17 This picture was taken to show how employes trip over tools lying on operating floors. 18 A home-made rack on which tools may be kept when not in use. 19 Testing lead wires found in a passageway back of oil switches. It merely illustrates a tripping hazard in a bad place. Hazards of a somewhat similar nature may be found in many offices where connecting cords of electric fans, or of adding, or dictating machines are left lying on floors and across passageways. 20 An ugly hazard. As will be noted, the valve stem is at eye-level. The workman was photographed in the act of passing down stairs. His right foot is on the landing of the stairs, which he is facing, and which are not shown in the picture. 21 Illustration of a most dangerous practice. The engineer was actually seen as shown, wiping the face of a pulley carrying a large belt from an engine to a blower, while the belt was running at high speed. It Avill be noted how a mere slip, or the catching of a strand of waste in the running belt, might carry the employe's hand around the pulley, and cause the instant loss of an arm, if not of a life. Fortunately, this hazard was recognized before an accident occurred. The frightful possibilities of this practice are clear. Guards were placed around the belt, and instructions issued not to touch any pulleys or belts while in motion. 22 Two types of hammers; the ordinary carpenter's, and the newer style with scored face. The statement has been made by one company that during a period of nine months, four workmen lost an eye each, due to nails flying when struck on a slant by the ordinary smooth-faced carpenter's hammer in rough work, and that since adopting the indented -head style, the hazard has practically been eliminated. 23 One of the coal buckets shown here figured in an unusual accident. Just as the bucket was being hoisted, the glove of an employe endeavoring to guide it, became caught in the hook. Some distance from the ground, the glove broke and the man fell, sustaining premanent injuries. ^ J A recurrence of this accident was avoided by extending the release bars straight downward, doing away with the hooks. 24 Guard on a frequency-changer set. Note the rail installed to prevent employes being caught in the moving parts, or slipping through the opening in the bed plate while adjusting brushes, wiping collector rings, or feeling bearings. It will also be observed that the step on which the employe stands furnishes a firm place for his feet, which otherwise would rest on the curved and slippery surface of the pedestal. 25 At times sections of tin or corrugated iron are used to cover small openings and depressions in yards. As shown, these strips in time become buckled and raised at the edges, thereby present- ing a mean hazard, particularly where employes are engaged in night work. If the obstruction is low, tripping may result only in a fall. 26 A hazard similar to the preceding one, except that in the case here illustrated, the iron being raised higher, the danger of a lacerated and infected wound, if not of a broken leg or arm, is more imminent. 27 ■^apl^"* ^" MEWM ii:ii:pPMnM 1 _§ i> 1^ & i iHl Fi^ f ; 1 "■^^■1 '"'"''^™MiMi^^ On this switchboard are shown cards of warning, hung on several switches. The cards read DANGER Do not throw switch; men working on circuit. This precautionary measure has doubtless saved many lives. 28 Picture taken to show the occasion for a guard within a guard at times. In this instance, an employe came out of the building on which the lamp is located, holding, and looking at, a chisel he was about to sharpen, and inadvertently walked through the gateway, which had negligently been left open. Before he realized where he was, he had stepped into the tar separator well shown in the corner of the enclosure, and had been scalded in the hot water before relief arrived. As shown, both wells are now fully guarded. 29 ^^ ^ J \ \\ \\\\ ^ \ V\ \\\ V L. \ \ \\ \vv\ XSlb^MtMr^ ■««ai ^--^ \ \ ^%N vvv x^m^^ilnBrrc: ""WT' /W / A w r Wi An illustration of the use of rubber gloves and safety shields by a lineman working among many wires on a corner pole. Lack of these precautions has resulted in loss of life, and the use of these safeguards should be made mandatory in work of this character. 30 Common, and insulated, types of screw drivers. The insu- lation is said to be tested to withstand 11,000 volts, which should practically remove the danger incident to the use of the common type of screw driver around electric connections. Several cases in which employes' eyes were seriously burned by flashes due to short circuits, were caused by the slipping of ordinary screw drivers while working around switchboards. 31 A sledge found in actual use. A badly mushroomed head will be noted, in addition to the splintered handle. Such tools are extremely dangerous, not only to those using them, but to persons near by, and the possibility of the handle breaking and permitting the head to fly and do injury, is made even worse by the presence of the mushroomed head. It is from sledges and hammers of this sort that pieces of steel break off and cause eye injuries. 32 A simple guard for the head gears of a lathe, which can easily be made at home at little cost. It has proven quite satisfactory in use, and is another illustration of the fact that, as a general rule, the safety of employes adds little, if anything, to the cost of operation, while the saving coincident with accident preven- tion yields a splendid return on the investment in these devices. 33 A piece of terra cotta conduit, and several bricks, left for some unaccountable reason on a ledge of the wall of a building. The removal of material placed in such positions carries away just one more hazard. 34 Glassware stored on the shelving without ledges or copings to keep it from falling and breaking. While there is little danger of an employe being injured by a fall of the glassware, serious injuries have followed in cases where they have stepped on broken glass. Ledges or coping on shelves of this character will reduce this hazard to a minimum. 35 In another store room were found heavy sledges on top of bins ten feet from the floor, which was caused to vibrate con- stantly by machinery. On the right will be noticed several projecting chisels which could easily be pushed back, and so stored that there would be no danger of the head of a passing employe striking them. Constant supervision to see that materials, tools, etc., are stored properly is the solution of these prominent store-room hazards. 36 h^ ! 1 1 Sketch of a very simple device for preventing serious injuries to employes operating elevators. The guard plate engages the operator's foot, and either returns it to the platform of the ascending elevator, or gives him sufficient warning to withdraw it himself, and thus prevents crushing. Grievous injuries have been sustained where this hazard has not been taken care of. 37 r ^ . s* tra . jjl MSk - yi H^B.j;*3;h: wm^ m ■ fl ' ""^V-.':i j^tpMj 'M ^^S : ' '•-: ., ^s^ ^I^Mfe 13 iiK^>^ An operating floor in a station in which the openings around the turbines, head of stairway, and side of floor are guarded by angle- iron ledges. It is surely a comparatively inexpensive pre- caution that doubtless has saved employes working on the floor below from being injured by falling tools, etc. A recent case in which a brick falling from an operating floor was intercepted by the head of an employe, resulting in insanity, calls the hazard forcibly to mind. 38 I Another illustration of metal strips along the edges of the floor of a gallery, to prevent tools or whatever may be on the floor, from falling off and injuring persons below. It will be^seen how the bar, which was photographed just as found, is retained in*place by the strip or ledge. 39 Illustration showing a loose plate on an operating floor. Some time ago, a workman, as the result of stepping on a wobbly plate, dropped to the floor below, where the plate itself fell upon him, causing fatal injuries. Floor plates should, of course, be inspected regularly to see that they are in good condition and bearing evenly. 40 ;':! JtiiJiiill Miii ■ :^iDi ^ %-.ai?^^'*"^ ■ - It ; -ii A standard type of portable barricade for street work. The danger signs, and also the red lamps for night use, are so placed as to be readily seen, not being obscured by service carts or material. 41 Here is illustrated the very common practice of carrying a ladder with the end extending well out from the rear of the vehicle. Pipes, bars, etc., are similarly carried. This practice has resulted in serious injuries to pedestrians who were struck by the projections as the wagons turned corners. 42 An easy change in the placing of the ladder, making accidents of this sort impossible. Having the overhang of the ladder in front instead of the rear, causes little, if any, inconvenience to the driver. Although the picture shows an automobile, the same arrangement can be made as readily on a wagon. 43 A coal hopper into which cars discharge directly, and at the bottom of which is a short belt leading to a crusher. The hopper is located on a trestle, on which employes are numerous at times. The bars, so spaced as not to interfere with the discharge of coal, were placed to prevent persons falling into the hopper, or to give them a chance to recover themselves quickly should they fall. 44 This illustrates the cause of a rather unusual accident. The lower end of the guy wire running from the lighting pole to the telephone pole, as shown, is but 12 feet above the roadway. It remained at this height for some time without doing damage or being noticed, until it finally swept a driver off his wagon and injured him severely. 45 A somewhat similar condition. This shows a lamp suspended from a guy running from pole to pole. The leaning of the pole has lowered the position of the lamp, which, as a matter of fact, hangs over the centre of the roadway. The wires, which carried approximately 4000 volts, were about eleven feet above the roadway, in position to shock a man or pull him off a wagon. The condition suggests mast-arm construction. 46 Iron ornaments at sides of porch. Employes entering the building in a hurry formerly took the short cut over the side of the porch and in several instances injured their heads in the manner illustrated. An accident of this sort involving a ''paper shell" skull would not be unlikely to terminate fatally. As indicated by the dotted lines, the railing forces the employes to enter at the front of the porch. 47 In many yards, ladders made simply of a pair of "two by threes" with cross strips nailed on as rungs, are in common use. The one shown, with the rungs set in and nailed, is probably as safe as a ladder of this kind can be made, but in climbing it in the manner shown, the workman has pulled a weak rung and is in danger of a nasty fall. The use of ladders in which the rungs are mortised into the standards, instead of being nailed on as shown, is advocated as eliminating entirely the danger of a rung pulling out. 48 The safe method of climbing ladders. With the hands grasping the standards of the ladder illustrated, there is no dan- ger of the rungs pulling out and throwing the workman. This ■and the preceding photograph were taken near a coal wharf, and it will be noticed that the workman is alive to more than one phase of the safety question. He wears goggles to avoid the danger accompanying flying coal dust and grit. 49 An ordinary coal trestle over which is drawn a train of loaded cars. A little further to the right, the trestle runs over a busy public highway. It will be noted that several large pieces of coal have dropped from the cars to the edges of the trestle work and are liable to fall on the workmen below. This hazard can be overcome only by constant watchfulness, to see that the cars are not overloaded, and that the trestle and platforms are kept clear. 50 Hazard accompanying the standing of clinker bars, etc., against walls, pipes, or in similar locations. This workman was injured by a bar falling from the position shown. If these tools are not placed in racks, it is well to lay them flat, close to walls, where they will not cause persons to trip, or to stand them between short guide bars extending out from the wall, well above the floor, to prevent sliding and falling. 51 A conveyor and crusher beside a gas house. It will be noticed that, on the side of the boxed-in conveyor, there is a ladder, used at times while the crusher is in operation. The hopper directing fuel into the crusher is immediately under the ladder and, as shown, no guard is provided to prevent a person falling directly into the moving crusher rolls, should he slip from the ladder. Although guard rails are in place to prevent a fall from the top platform, the hazard presented by exposed gearing has been overlooked. 52 A guard, or shield, platform (indicated by the white line at the top of the hopper) to prevent a person, should he slip off the ladder, from falling into the hopper. The gearing, indicated by the arrow, has been enclosed. An employe while working around the hopper of another crusher, in some way got his arm caught in the rolls, and sus- tained permanent injury. 53 At times more thought has been given to the subject of fire protection than to accident prevention. The contrast is here shown strikingly. The box covering the fire hose is so located that the streams covered the maximum number of buildings, and the hose was carefully enclosed, but the reel handle pro- jected over the footway in such a manner as to render serious injury to a passerby imminent, particularly at night. The hazard was disposed of by disconnecting, and hanging the handle under the box. 54 An exposed handle on the cover of a well, illustrating how easily an accident might occur. Under the circumstances, a fractured foot or kneecap is imminent. It is, of course, a matter of no expense to countersink the cover so that the handle will drop into, or fall flat with, the lid when not in use. 55 i 1^ irf:^ 1 piai; 1 1 J In many works and stations, flat-top, steel clothes lockers are in common use. Invariably it has been found that the tops are used as storage places for various kinds of junk. The jar inci- dent to the opening and closing of the locker doors is liable to cause the articles to fall on the workman using the closet. Objects falling from such positions have caused many injuries. One hazard inspection disclosed a heavy double-edged fire axe, lying on top of a locker of this kind, in danger of falling on an employe. 56 A locker with the top sloped so that nothing will remain on it. This style of locker is advocated, as its top cannot be used as indicated in the preceding illustration. It is well to bear this stvler in mind when ordering lockers. 57 Another illustration of the danger of leaning draw bars and clinker bars against walls. Placed in position as shown, there is likelihood of the bars falling and striking a person on the head. This hazard, is, of course, easily remedied by placing such tools on the ground beside the walls, or between guide bars placed sufficiently high to avoid catching a passing employe. 58 Subway hangers stored by being suspended on weak nails over an open passageway. Light nails are, at best, only insecure hangers, and where it is necessary to store articles overhead, screws, preferably screw hooks, of sufficient strength to support adequately the material should be used. Of course, material should not be stored over a passageway as shown. 59 An unguarded circular saw, and an operator who did not appreciate the danger. The hazard of unguarded circular saws is an old one, but it is brought to mind by an account of a case in which the operator, stunned by the saw cutting off an arm, in endeavoring to push himself away, caused his other arm to be likewise severed, and almost expired before aid arrived. It would scarcely be possible to give a clearer illustration of the danger attending the use of unguarded circular saws. 60 A well-guarded circular saw. Experience with this particular type of guard has been very satisfactory. 61 Here is seen a picture of a shovel, a rake and an oil can, grouped for the purpose. The shovel lies as shovels are frequently found on floors, — in position to do serious injury. It may readily be appreciated how an employe running or walking carelessly might run directly into the broad edge of a shovel, which is at times as sharp as a knife. The rake introduces a liability of the teeth running into an employe's foot. In one case, an employe, who was a little more fortunate than the average, in wearing shoes with heavy soles, stepped on the teeth of a rake, with the result that the handle flew up, and delivered an impression on his face that stayed with him for a week. (It is to be hoped the disappearance of the swelling did not carry with it the memory of its cause.) Of course, oil cans should be kept off floors and passageways whenever practicable, a fall on the point of a can of this type being quite a serious matter. 62 An unguarded emery wheel. It is dangerous from all points of view, as, in addition to the lack of wheel and eye guards, there is no rest on which to place tools while being ground. Also, the starting switch should be covered to protect a workman from danger of shock. 63 An emery wheel so guarded by an adjustable glass plate as to intercept flying emery, and thus avoid eye injuries. The iron wheel guard or hood, designed to protect workmen should the wheel burst, will also be noted. In addition the use of goggles is recommended. Reports of the number of injuries prevented by goggles are so numerous that there can be no doubt as to their value. 64 Loose bricks found directly over a doorway. They may be seen at the base of the arched opening. In one case, a brick faUing from a similar location caused permanent injuries. Thorough inspection, of course, obviates this hazard. 65 A particularly dangerous steam line outlet in front of a boiler. The outlet was about five feet above the floor and so placed that, should the valve be turned on, the escaping steam or hot water might scald a w^orkman. Outlets of this sort should discharge vertically. 66 A condition found in a works yard. The old nails projecting from the discarded boards can easily be seen. These boards lay in a pathway between buildings, and it seemed to be no one's business to remove them. As usual, most of the boards appeared to have fallen with the nails up. Injuries due to stepping on nails are always accompanied by liability of tetanus, or lock-jaw. It is clearly an easy matter to eliminate this hazard, so serious in its results. In one of many prominent cases, blood poisoning resulted fatally to a workman after he had sustained only a slight puncture wound from a rusty nail. 67 Picture taken to illustrate the danger accompanying unboxed elevator counterweights. The valve was so located on the pump that the head of the workman adjusting it was brought directly under the counterweight and struck. In a similar case a workman, stooping to adjust a steam drip, placed his hand beneath the descending counterweight. Another workman started the elevator, with the result that the counter- weight so severely crushed the hand that he finally lost it, and also part of his arm. 68 View of the same location, with a wire guard so placed that there is no danger of a workman being caught by the counter- weights. Another excellent illustration of how satisfactory guards may be made at home at very little cost. 69 A manhole cover constituting a common tripping hazard. The tripping hazard, however, is not the only one. Owing to the size of the ring, the foot of an employe walking along, particu- larly at night, might become wedged in the ring and broken. The cover is just at the entrance to a building. The ring, of course, should be countersunk so as to drop level with the cover. 70 Wheelbarrows so stored that the handles may strike a passing employe in the groin. It merel}^ suggests more careful storage. 71 Tank used for collecting drip oil, etc., with a nipple and ell projecting from the end. A workman while passing from the boiler-room to the paint-house at night, caught his foot under this pipe and fall across the tank. In falling, his lantern was broken and the flame ignited vapor which was issuing from the tank. Before the workman could get up and away, he was burned, — a most peculiar accident. The hazard was eliminated by a railing. 72 Where passenger elevator gates are of the automatic fast- closing type, as above indicated, in the absence of something to prevent the gates from closing entirely, the operator's fin- gers are liable to be crushed between them. As shown in this picture, small pieces of rubber have been inserted to prevent such an accident and it is the opinion of the operators of a number of elevators on which these pads have been installed, that to them they owe freedom from injury. Doubtless many will recall having seen elevator operators carelessly handling automatic gates without any device to prevent accidents of this sort. 73 A movable platform which avoids the danger attending the use of ordinary stepladders by employes working on bus transformers. The platform shown is about six feet high and large enough to permit access to a number of boxes without shifting. The saving in time alone, not counting the increased safet^^ favors the adoption of this style of platform. 74 Elevator shaft; operator on platform. It has been difficult to keep ledges in elevator shafts so clear as to avoid the liability of tools or materials falling therein. This illustration shows pieces of coal, and a wrench, left in position to do serious harm in falling. The remedy is, of course, regular inspection to see that nothing is left where liable to fall into shafts. The installation of sloping boards on ledges is suggested, to prevent objects remaining thereon. 75 ^e ^^Hi ^^l^^^^^^^^^^^^l ^^^M ^^R.. i^^^^^H^^^^^^I ^^^H ^^^^^^^^^^^^1 ^^^H ^^^^H # ^»s^- " jIUI ^^■: i ^ Here attention is directed to a common condition. In this case, in which the folding gate swings out over a public footwa}^ there is the danger of striking a passerby. With the force of a high wind back of it, a gate swung out in this manner makes liable a serious accident. Changing gates of this type to swing in or slide eliminates the hazard. 76 Another illustration of gates swinging outward over a footway used by children in going to and from school. 77 This illustration shows precautions taken to prevent injury to pedestrians due to vehicles entering and leaving a station yard. At night the gate (sliding) is kept closed,- and the danger sign illuminated. 78 i^__^m p ;t,.**i^ii An exhaust pipe projecting through a window in an engine- room out into a passageway. The danger of being scalded by steam or hot water ejected from this pipe was made all the more serious by the fact that the engine was run intermittently. In an instance in which an exhaust pipe was placed somewhat lower than the one shown here, a boy's leg was scalded by steam spurting out just as he was passing by. The remedy is, of course, to run the pipe into a well or to exhaust vertically. 79 An ordinary telegraph and lighting pole, to which permanent steps have been so fastened that it is a comparatively easy matter for a boy to climb them as shown. In one case, a boy climbed a pole similarly stepped, and was electrocuted. Sockets into which spikes or bolts may be inserted by the linemen in the exercise of their duty, may be used in place of steps up to a height of about eight feet above the ground, where permanent steps or spikes begin. 80 Sash weights, counterbalancing sHding windows, hung directly over the windows and table. In this particular instance, one of the ropes carrying a weight was found to be so insecurely fastened jthat it was a matter of surprise that it had not dropped and injured some one. The windows and table are in constant use. Windows of this type have been found in shops in widely separated localities. Boxing the weights was recommended. 81 Showing how a guard or precaution no longer useful may deteriorate into a hazard even greater than the one it was originally intended to guard. In this case, pieces of pipe were driven into the ground to keep in position rails placed between them. There is only one rail left and that liable to be used at any time, leaving the pieces of pipe in position to trip a workman not on the lookout for danger points. The remedy of course is promptly to remove all supports no longer needed. 82 In many plants, railroad tracks running through the yard are located close to buildings. Doorways are often found near the track, and there is then danger of an employe coming out of the building being struck by a train of shifting cars. To prevent accidents from this source, fences have been so placed on either side of the track shown, that employes, to get across, have to walk out further from the buildings. This gives them an unobstructed view of the track for some distance, and an opportunity to avoid being struck by the train. 83 Band saw not fully guarded. While there is a plate running from in front of the machine up over the upper wheel, there is nothing to prevent the saw, should it break, from flying out below the lowest point of the guard and injuring an employe. That part of the saw exposed to the greatest danger of breaking is immediately above the work, and it is a comparatively simple matter to fit a piece of channel iron, attached to the frame, directly over the saw in such a manner as to cover it almost completely and still not interfere with the work. A similar piece may be fitted to the back, so that in shifting work there will be no danger of striking the running saw and knocking it ofi^ the wheels. 84 Before the fan guard was Installed, there was danger of a person standing on the ladder losing his balance, and in attempt- ing to save himself, thrusting his arm into the fan blades, with the possibility of thereby losing that member. Since the guard has been installed, the switchboard box at the right has also been covered to protect employes against the danger of a short circuit. Although these two hazards have been noted and taken care of, the danger presented by storing glassware on open shelves without risers has been overlooked. 85 An automatic safety gate on a generator-house elevator. In the background will be noted a signal arm worked from the floor below to give notice to men on the second floor that the elevator on the first floor is not yet clear. The signal board on the gate reads as follows: Do not start elevator up until signal arm drops. It is claimed that this simple little device quickly paid for itself in preventing injuries to employes. 86 Another view of an elevator in a generator house. As shown, when the elevator is at the floor level, the safety gate is at such a height that the bottom rail clears the heads of employes using the elevator. Also, sheet iron has been attached to the sides to prevent pieces of fuel or other objects falling on employes below. The latch on the side of the generator Ud seen here, engages when the lid is dropped, and the tightening of the center bar forces the lid down, and makes it gas tight. In one instance, workmen swung a coke barrow around too quickly and struck the projection on the latch in such a manner that it became loosened. The lid immediately blew open and caused burns that resulted in permanent injuries and death. 88- Generator lid, used to prevent a recurrence of the accident mentioned on the preceding page. 89 -4 a •♦■ *A Reproduction of a paperweight designed to keep prevention constantly before employes. This reminder has been widely distributed around shops and plants. 90 A self-explanatory blue-and-white enamel sign. Displayed in places most frequented by employes, these signs have elicited a number of interesting suggestions. 91 The question of ventilating boiler-rooms is a difficult one at best, owing to the nature of the work. These rooms frequently have large sliding doors which are usually kept open and conse- quently invite passage. At times, in the centre of the threshold a channel iron guide is found as shown. The guide shown is unnecessarily high and forms an ugly trip hazard. 92 / e e i POOI2-^VIDEl •THE -VKlTEr • aAQ • MPEfVIME-NT • C CO • PHlX.ADEl.f>Hlfl I •i-St'.w 0. Sto*. 6ol* 5tt on V/oo.<1 These door guides are not always necessary, but where they are needed, the improvement shown by the above illustration is suggested. The curves make tripping practically impossible. 93 Gas drip box projecting from sidewalk. Where the street is used by many people, especially school children, the hazard pre- sented by projecting drip, stop and curb boxes becomes serious. In several cases severe injuries and verdicts have followed this condition. These boxes should, of course, be at the level of the walk. 94 An illustration of an almost inconceivable accident wherein the injuries were clearly due to stupidity. The employe held on to the rope operating the elevator gate, and his hand followed the rope into the sheave wheel as the elevator descended, with a resultant loss of his fingers. These wheels are now fool-proof, plates having been fastened in front as indicated by dotted line, to disengage an employe's hand under similar circumstances. 95 Safety Always Help to Prevent Accidents Every Effort towards Safety Helps Are You Guarding the Danger Points? Carelessness is Dangerous Safety Preserves Life and Happiness Safety First, Last and All the Time Illustrations of rubber stamps used on letters and pay en- velopes to keep the subject of safety uppermost. The wording is changed from time to time to prevent monotony. 96 Accidents Having Occurred to Men at Work in Boilers, the Following Precautions to Insure Their Safety are Taken: — Before entering the boiler, the workman notifies the man in charge of the boiler-room, who must see that the main steam valve, both blow-off valves, blow-off cock, feed-water valve, and all other valves connected with the boiler are shut tight. After all the valves are closed tight, the boiler dis- connected from the blow-off header and the plug removed from the feed-water pipe, the man in charge of the boiler-room sees that warning cards reading as follows are hung from all of the valves on the discon- nected boiler: — MEN AT WORK IN BOILER. DO NOT OPEN VALVES. Only after these precautions have been taken does the man in charge of the boiler-room permit a work- man to enter a boiler. The warning cards are not to be removed nor any valves opened until the work has been done, the work- men have left the boiler, have replaced all covers for handholes and manholes, and have all reported to the man in charge of the boiler-room. 9/ An analysis of over 2000 miscellaneous accidents to employes shows them to have been due to the following: Causes of Accidents Falling objects ..... Flying objects, cinders, dust, slashing solder, etc. ..... Protruding objects or materials . Hanging or swinging objects or materials Stepping on or being caught by project- ing nails, broken glass, etc. Machinery in normal operation Defects, or lack of guards, on machinery Elevators, hoisting apparatus, etc. . Handling materials Slipping, tripping or faUing Electric shock Falling in or through openings . Hand tools used by injured Tools used by fe low employes . Hot objects or materials Leaking gas, sickness, etc. . Mis:cellaneous . . . . . NUMBER PERCENTAGE 113 5.1% 138 6.3% 250 n.4% s 39 1.8% 138 6.3% 126 5.7% 10 . .5% 33 1.5% 276 12.5% 282 12.8% 12 .5% 4 .2 /c 322 14.6% 26 1.2% 186 8.5% 80 3.6% 165 7.5% 2200 100.0% 58 The injuries resulting from these accidents were as follows: Effects of Accidents Fractures or sprains of Arms, hands or fingers Legs, feet or toes Bones of body and head Eye injuries or strain . Lacerations or contusions Head .... Face .... Body .... Arms .... Hands . . . . Fingers Legs .... Feet .... Toes .... General . . . Strains or ruptures . Illness .... Burns of Body .... Face . . Limbs .... NUMBER PERCENTAGE 58 2.6% 32 1.5% 26 1.2% 180 8.2% 64 2.9% 59 2.7% 66 3.0% 69 3.1% 273 12.4% 638 29.0% 144 6.5% 150 6.8% 25 1.1% 66 3.0% 63 2.9% 80 3.6% 20 .9% 25 1.2% 162 7.4% 2200 100.0% 99 In 737 cases, at least one day's time was lost. The total time lost was 4602 days, or, on the basis of 300 working days, nearly 16 years. The average loss of time in cases where at least one day's time was lost was 6^ days, practically a working week. Of the entire number of accidents, 2200, about 65% resulted in a loss of time that amounted only to that necessary for the proper medical attention. On the other hand, in many cases the employe was assigned to other work not necessitating the use of the injured member. However, in all cases, the suffer- ing, inconvenience and interference with the regular line of work were so great, and so many of the accidents could have been avoided by the slightest of precautions, that these figures furnish a powerful argument in favor of the value of care. In numerous instances, the prompt and efficient administration of first-aid treatment alleviated the pain and suffering to such an extent that the time lost was almost negligible, but in all minor injuries, the danger of infection through lack of attention to the wounds is so great that no one can afford to take chances. 100 The following poem, appropriated from the Travelers Standard and slightly modified, so well champions Prevention rather than First Aid and Compensation, that it is herein reproduced in full: 101 The Parable of the Dangerous Cliff 'Twas a dangerous cliff, as they freely confessed, Though to walk near its crest was so pleasant, But over its terrible edge there had slipped A duke, and full many a peasant. The people said something would have to be done. But their projects did not at all tally. Some said, "Put a fence round the edge of the cliff"; And others, "An ambulance down in the valley." The lament of the crowd was profound and was loud. As their hearts overflowed with their pity; But the cry for the ambulance carried the day As it spread through the neighboring city. A collection was made, to accumulate aid. And the dwellers in highway and valley Gave dollars or cents, — not to furnish a fence, — But an ambulance down in the valley. "For the cliff is all right if you're careful," they said. "And if folks ever slip and are dropping. It isn't the slipping that hurts them so much, As the shock down below — when they're stopping." So for years (we have heard), as these mishaps occurred, Quick forth would the rescuers sally. To pick up the victims who fell from the cliff. With the ambulance down in the valley. 102 Said one, in his plea, "It's a marvel to me That you'd give so much greater attention To repairing results than to curing the cause; You had much better aim at prevention. For the mischief, of course, should be stopped at its source Come, neighbors and friends, let us rally. It is far better sense to rely on a fence Than an ambulance down in the valley." '*He is wrong in the head," the majority said; "He would end all our earnest endeavor. He's a man who would shirk this responsible work. But we will support it forever. Aren't we picking up all, just as fast as they fall. And giving them care liberally? A superfluous fence is of no consequence, If the ambulance works in the valle}^." The story looks queer as we've written it here. But things oft occur that are stranger. More humane, we assert, than to succor the hurt. Is the plan of removing the danger. The U. G. I. plan is to safeguard the man, And attend to the thing rationally; For we build up the fence and we try to dispense With the ambulance down in the valley. 103 Accident Prevention Means THE avoidance of U ntold misery, with G reater efficiency and I nsured saving, promoting GO -operation. An acrostic printed on blotters which find their way to desks of shop and works employes. 104 Although accidents may be prevented to a large degree by the exercise of care, should an accident occur, the continuance of care by properly looking after the injuries is essential. Wounds insignificant in their inception at times develop into cases of permanent disability. 105 Standard First Aid Equipment designed and used by The United Gas Improvement Company General First Aid Cabinet, with various preparations, utensils and appliances ready for use. Made of polished chestnut and weighs about 45 pounds. It will be noted that the door forms a firm stand or table for the operator. 106 Gas Kit For the treatment of persons affected by gas. Compactly constructed of sheet metal, reinforced and painted red. Weighs about six pounds complete, and is designed to be carried in service and tool carts. Pocket Kit For the„treatment of persons affected by gas, carried by com- plaint and order men on leak work. Made of heavy flexible black leather, and weighs two pounds. 107 Electric Kit For the treatment of persons shocked by electricity. Of the same construction as the gas kit and painted yellow. Weighs about seven pounds, complete. 108 Illustration of First Aid publications, the titles of the books being self-explanatory. Cardboard charts, measuring 21'' x 24'' and 15" x 24" respect- ively, comprising the instructions and illustrations contained in the gas and electric booklets, are displayed around shops and works. 109 Draeger Pulmotor in Operation. A constantly increasing number of persons owe their lives to the use of this apparatus, which has been remarkably success- ful in gas and electric accidents, as well as in other cases involving suspended animation. The Company has installed Pulmotors at its various works. 110 ACCIDENT PREVENTION SAVES MISERY AND MONEY 111 K UNIVERSITY OF OALIFOKNIA LIBEAEY THIS BOOK IS DUE ON THE LAST DATE STAMPED BELOW NOV 29 1915 30m-l,'15 yS 19047 y 281725 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY