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Reduce Injuries on Shipboard Methods Used to Prevent Personal Injuries on Board Lake Vessels Effective—Active Interest in Safety Stimulated by Committees of Men accident prevention, I think it is generally agreed that any organ- ization which expects to secure satis- factory results in having its employes conduct operations with a minimum of personal injuries and loss of life, must realize that safety work, both ashore and on shipboard, occupies a distinct and important place in its affairs. It is essential that the chief execu- tive be sincere and in entire sympathy with accident prevention, and _ inter- ested in having his officials devote time and vigorous effort to that work. He should know that the real and di- recting influence must come down from his office, and his attitude and safety policies be well known to all of the employes. He should be _inter- ested in learning the where, when, how and why of at least each serious or fatal accident that occurs to his em- ployes. Mere authorization of ex- penditure for proper’ mechanical guards to make the operations safe, without active and earnest effort, is not alone _ sufficient. An unusual number of accidents, as shown by the record, should be viewed with as much concern as a rising cost statement, for it is pretty certain to indicate that somewhere down the line ineffici- ency exists in that organization. While his officials, and the employes under them, may do much on their own initi- ative, we can quite safely say that much more could and would be ac- complished with active encouragement and genuine support from the chief executive. Included in the various operations of our company, we have a fleet of 44 ships engaged in the carrying of bulk freight, ore, coal, limestone and grain, on the Great Lakes. Once a year all masters and chief engineers are called to headquarters of the company in Cleveland, for a confer- ence, during which considerable time is given to the discussion of accident prevention. This conference ° closes with a banquet and snappy program I: THE development and study of A paper presented at the Marine Section of the National Safety Council at the six- teenth annual Congress held at the New Stevens Hotel, Chicago, Sept. 26-30. The author, Milton D. McIntyre, is a member of the Staff of the Pickands, Mather Co. Cleve- Jand, prominent Lake vessel operator. A list .of other papers and preliminary account of the proposed activities of the congress appeared in the September MARINE REVIEW. 26 BY MILTON D. McINTYRE which promotes mutual acquaintance and co-operation. We have the same plan of ship’s safety committees which was presented before our congress several years ago by Mr. Marr, of the Lake Carriers’ association, which, briefly outlined, is as follows: Six men, three from forward and three from after end, compose this committee, which always includes the lowest licensed men from the forward end and the engineer’s department. (Boatswain and handy men are _ in- cluded if carried). The balance of the committee is selected by the master and chief engineer, from each end of the ship, no two to be of any one grade. One of the licensed men is appointed by the master to act as chairman, the other licensed man _ serving as secretary. Meetings are called by the master some time between the fifteenth and the last of each month. Both he and the chief engineer, however, attend only in an advisory capacity. They, as well as the members of the committee, sign the minutes indicat- ing their attendance. Copies of the minutes are sent to the manager of the fleet and to the association. Duties of the committee members are: Consideration of safety, in- structions to new men, discussion of injuries occurring on other ships and, where they have authority to act, the carrying out through their respect- tive departments of such steps as the committee finds advisable. Members who have not authority to act recom- mend that their superior officer give the matter necessary attention. Each member of the committee receives two dollars from the master at the end of the season for each meet- ing attended, and if no accident to any of the ship’s crew requiring ab- sence from the ship, has _ occurred during the season, a bonus of $10 is paid from the office to each member of the committee who is still a mem- ber of the crew, and who has attended at least six meetings. Ship owners in this association report.to it the nature of injury and description of accidents occurring on their ships, and brief resumes are sent monthly to all members so that there is excellent opportunity for keeping posted on the accidents and: safety recommendations on the other fellows’ ships. In addition, the Lake Carriers asso- MARINE REVIEW—October, 1927 ciation furnishes a code of recom- mendations prepared from the experi- ence of all the vessels, covering the following points: Lights, hatches, hand rails and gratings, ladders, rig- ging, tackle, gear and stagings, ma- chinery, valves, boilers, pipe lines, ete.; fire, cables, loading and unload- ing, life preservers, warnings, boat and fire drills and first aid. We have found that safety meet- ings held by the men on _ shipboard are most effective in getting the safety idea over to the rank and file, and in keeping it alive. The number of ships in our fleet receiving the bonus has increased each year. In 1928, 22 per cent; in 1924, 30 per cent; in 1925, 47 per cent; in 1926, 70 per cent. These monthly meetings create a certain contact between the manage- ment and the entire crew and tend to make the committee members feel a responsibility in keeping the ship’s accident record clear. Soon after these meetings have been held, the crew inquire and hear what matters were discussed, and know that the company is interested in safety. I would like to read a few excerpts from the minutes of some of our vessels, as they are typical of the way in which our committees accept their responsibility. “When back: oiling coal bunker, see: that all coal is off angle irons, and shelf pieces so that there will be no danger of accident.” “This ship has the distinction of not having a man leave on account of personal injury from accident since the fall of 1920. Let this committee watch their step and watch the ac- tion of others and advise new mem- bers of our crew when they ship, as to any danger that may confront them. Always bear in mind that it, is the duty of this committee to advise and try to enforce the safety rules.” “Captain reminded us to keep people off the ship that have no_ business aboard, telling each member he has authority to keep strangers off boat, and it is his duty to find out a visitor’s business and report to one of the officers, and he would handle _ the case as he saw fit.” “Captain attended meeting and re- quired each member to relate some act he has done since last meeting