130

CHAPTER VIII,

of that which deals with conditions of labour. The table beiow gives
figures of accidents in mines since 1919 :—

Voar

Persons
killed.

1919 260
{920 172
1921 257
1922 209
1923 I 232
i924 20
1925 ‘ 186
1926 151
1927 181
1928 218
1929 194

Collieries.

No.
per
100,000
emnloved.


Persons
nijured.

127
08
135
113
te

314
240
278
243
241
299
373
367
457 |
455
445

01
0
:10
133
iT 7

Other mines.

No.
per
100,000
employed.


No.
per
100,000
emploved.


No.
per
100,000
employed.


Persons
killed.

Persons
injured.

165 88
136 91
146 61
132 7
39 105
“A860 79
215 Py 58
215 sR 63
277 ee 6°
277 | 41 | 40
269 72 69

58
61
71
57
103
125
123
173
256
228
ag

98
105
120
129

i
|

c.
“46
220
218

It is unfortunate that there has been no marked or regular decline in
the accident rate of recent years, but we accept the evidence given to us
that in the collieries there has, in fact, been progress in the prevention of
accidents, even though it is concealed by factors tending in the, opposite
direction. Gradual exhaustion of the easier seams entails deeper mining
and increasing resort to pillar extraction with an inevitable increase of risks,
while the steady improvement in discipline and regularity of work is
without doubt tending to greater safety. In the case of coal mines,
we think that the presence in the mines of excessive numbers at certain
periods also increases the accident rate and that a better level of individual
output, with shorter hours, better disciplined working and better health
among the workers, will all tend to lessen the incidence.
Reporting of Accidents.
Statistics as to non-fatal accidents are confined to those causing
serious bodily injury, and the number, though low, has shown a substantial
 increase during recent years. We believe this to be due to better
reporting and more accurate classification, rather than to a real increase
in accidents. At the same time we are not satisfied that the information
available in regard to non-fatal accidents is adequate. At present
fatal accidents and those involving permanent loss of, or injury to,
sight or hearing, fracture of a limb or enforced absence for 20 days must
be reported by telephone or telegraph to the inspector and in writing
to the Chief Inspector, through the District Magistrate. We would not
disturb this arrangement, but we would add to the law a requirement
 that a report of all accidents likely to involve enforced absence
in excess of the waiting period under the Workmen's Compensation
Act should be sent each week to the Chief Inspector. through the