concur in the recommendations of the Chief of the Homework Division, in which he sets forth the necessity for an increase in the inspection force, in order that the work may be performed as the statutes direct. SAFETY MANUAL There is urgent necessity for providing the Department's inspection force with a manual. This should be carefully compiled, illustrating and describing the latest and most efficient methods of guarding the many different types of machinery, elevators, etc., and in addition, showing the most approved manner of eliminating many of the common hazards that are found in the various industries. This manual could be so arranged that parts of it could be printed in pamphlet form and be made very serviceable to the different classes of manufacturing establishments. The purpose of such manual should be to establish standards and properly demonstrate the best means of remedying the dangerous conditions that are prevalent in many of the industries of the state. MACHINERY CODE AND SAFETY COMMITTEES There should be special attention given to the proper safe-guarding of machinery and other hazardous conditions, with a view to reducing to the minimum the industrial hazards as they apply to the industries of the state. In connection with a program of this character, it becomes essential that a proper machinery code be provided as soon as possible. Such a code would be educational and beneficial to the factory owners and managers who are desirous of knowing just what will be acceptable to the Department as proper safe-guards on the different types of machinery. In addition to the machinery code, there should be proper rules requiring the organizing of safety committees of employees in such industries as are hazardous. These rules should be such as would guide these committees in making the conditions of their respective plants meet the highest standard of safety, and enable them to reduce the injuries of the employees to the lowest number. By the development of these committees, there is no question of the vast improvement that can be accomplished for the protection of the employees in the hazardous occupations, by developing and providing proper safe-guards and the elimination of unsafe working conditions that may exist in many of the industries of the state. Through the work of these committees much can be done to instill in the minds of the employees that which is most essential, the necessity of using proper care and judgment in the performance of their duties, and in this way protect their fellow-workers and themselves from injury, and be a real militant force in the crusade for "Safety First," which means their deliverance from industrial injuries, and which will also reduce the cost of compensating injuries to the industries of the state, and thus preserve the efficiency of the workers of the state. JAMES L. GERNON, First Deputy Commissioner. |