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 
em- 
nloved. 
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 
em- 
ployed. 
No. 
per 
100,000 
em- 
ploved. 
No. 
per 
100,000 
em- 
ployed. 
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 subs- 
tantial 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 require- 
ment 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