periods of insensibility of over one hour and even two hours. It is, however, unfortunately true that many cases, particularly from alternating low pressure circuits, have terminated fatally even where artificial respiration has been applied apparently promptly and skilfully. The question naturally arises whether any other form of treatment for persons rendered insensible from electric shock is available either in supplementing or in substitution for artificial respiration.

It appears to be established that electric shock may cause death by paralysis of the respiratory centre or by arresting the proper action of the heart and putting it into a state of "fibrillation." The latter result appears to be readily brought about by alternating current low pressure shocks. In the case of the former, artificial respiration is accepted by the medical profession as the proper treatment, but it appears that no successful treatment has been discovered for dealing with the heart when once fibrillation has been set up. In connection with this matter I have been very much struck by the fact that in cases where a man has received a very severe and prolonged shock and has then had a bad fall, if he escapes fatal injuries from the latter as by fracture of the skull, he recovers from the shock. A number of such cases have occurred where a prolonged shock has been received as by a man getting hold of the trolley wires of an overhead crane and being held there by the current until someone has had time to get to the switch and cut off the current. He has then fallen, in some cases from very considerable heights, and has recovered. In 1921 there were seven such accidents when the fall was from 5 ft. 6 in. up to 35 ft. In 1922 there were five similar accidents at overhead crane trolley wires where the subsequent fall would be not less than 20 ft. and several others followed by lesser falls of 7 to 12 ft. In March last Dr. Legge, H.M. Senior Medical Inspector of Factories, arranged for a discussion at the Royal Society of Medicine, Electrotherapeutical Section, on electric shock, particularly with a view to obtaining the latest medical opinion on the question of treatment. At this discussion I referred to the cases of recovery after falls and suggested that they indicated that some form of mechanical shock might prove to be a successful form of treatment even in those cases where cardiac fibrillation has occurred and I suggested that the medical profession should seriously consider the matter with a view to prescribing a suitable method of applying such a treatment. Although my suggestion received a measure of support from some of the medical men present, there has been so far no practical outcome.

Much useful work has been accomplished during the year by the four Divisional Electrical Inspectors. Their reports on the year's work contain much valuable information and important matter of general interest, but of which space does not allow of even a brief summary. In detail, however, much of it necessarily covers matters to which I have drawn attention in previous reports.

Mr. McColgan, in the Northern Area, has much of the heavier work to deal with in shipyards and steel works, where the depression in trade has affected the large works in different ways. Whilst some employers demur to spending money on improvements. other than those which are absolutely essential, others have gladly taken the opportunity of the general slackness to put their electrical plant in good order, a proceeding which they find is much more easily carried out than when the works are busy and the plant in full operation. He also refers to new problems which arise due to the large development of public supplies of electrical energy, and which affect safety of persons employed in various ways, e.g., in the linking up of large systems; in the supply from large systems to the smaller class of consumers previously having their own plant where the old switchgear is unfitted for the work with the larger amount of power behind it; also to the changing over of direct current installations to alternating current supply, where many of the factory consumers do not realise their added responsibilities under the Regulations.

Mr. Brown has been very active in the Midland Area. He notes a great improvement generally in electrical apparatus in public supply stations, but gives instances of certain glaring mistakes in regard to some recent high tension switchboards, due to the actual designers not having experience in their operation under actual conditions of service. He reports a large number of unsatisfactory substations where the plant has been unduly cramped and safety sacrificed to cheapness. On factory premises he has found some installations beyond reproach but others in a deplorable condition and obviously put in by firms without proper qualifications. In some cases where first class plant has been purchased, the workmanship in erection has been atrocious through ignorance or indifferent supervision. As an example he cites a case of a large works where wire armoured cable was used, the motors and control gear being provided with proper glands for clamping the armouring, which however had been cut back in each case and the unprotected tails run into the terminal boxes. The armouring was ostensibly used for earthing purposes but was not bonded nor connected to earth.

Mr. Swann has also accomplished much excellent work in the Southern Area. Amongst the items noted he refers to the increasing practice of public supply authorities giving supplies to factory premises at high pressures and points out the unsatisfactory position resulting, where the occupier's man in charge has previously had experience only of low pressure plant. Referring to the danger of fire from the large quantity of oil which may be liberated in the case of a transformer failure, such as in the case referred to elsewhere, he draws attention to an excellent precautionary measure which has been adopted in a large substation which he visited. The transformers are placed over pits, filled up

with broken granite of sufficient size to absorb the cubic contents of the tank should the oil escape. Tests have been made to prove that the oil will not burn under such conditions.

Mr. Tackley in the Western Area refers particularly to high tension supplies to factory premises, and draws attention to the widely varying practice by different supply authorities. Whilst some take every care that the consumer is amply protected others pay no attention to the consumer's apparatus, and dangerous conditions result even as regards that part of the installation for which they are responsible. Amongst various defects which he has found he draws attention to many cases of dangerous conditions at overhead cranes as regards want of protection of live conductors both in the driving cabins and alongside the approaches thereto.

Five prosecutions for breaches of the Regulations leading to serious accidents were taken, and penalties of £15, £20, £25 and £72 were imposed. One case in Scotland, was dismissed on the grounds that there was no danger to the workman if he had taken reasonable care and that he had been warned of the danger. In this case the workman had been set to do some work immediately below the unguarded trolley wires of a crane, 440 volts 3-phase, with which he came in contact and was killed. The case was taken to appeal and the High Court of Justiciary, Edinburgh, held that the decision was wrong and that there should have been a conviction. The Court held in effect that the Regulations are not limited in their application to the case of a careful workman but include protection for workmen who may in the course of their work forget some precaution or act in such a way as to bring them into contact with danger, which if they had been fully alive to its presence they might perchance have avoided; further, that a mere warning cannot be considered a sufficient compliance with the requirements of the Regulations, which would be frustrated if it were.

Fatal Accidents in 1922.

Table showing Pressure and System.

CHAPTER IV.

REPORT OF SENIOR ENGINEERING INSPECTOR,
G. STEVENSON TAYLOR, O.B.E.

I have the honour to submit the following report upon the work of the Engineering Inspectors during the year 1922. Notwithstanding the general trade depression, there has been an ample flow of work to the Engineering branch in connection with (1) the safety of various classes of machinery, especially abrasive wheels, bakery machinery, cranes, centrifugal machines, hoists, indiarubber mixing rolls, power processes, printing machines; (2) steam boilers and other steam plant; (3) the safe working of acetylene, compressed air, compressed ammonia and producer gas plants; (4) general ventilation; (5) removal of dust, fumes and steam. The various codes of special regulations which were either just established or in draft at the beginning of the year also gave rise to many special enquiries and necessitated attendance at several Trade Conferences.

The arrangement of the work amongst the Engineering Inspectors has been on the same lines as that adopted in 1921. Each inspector has dealt with certain subjects, and in addition all have undertaken some routine general work.

Mr. McNair has continued his enquiries in connection with the safeguarding of dough mixers and dough brakes. With his genius for mechanical devices he has been able to suggest considerable improvements in some existing safeguards and also the development of others on entirely new lines. These new safeguards both on mixers and brakes have proved entirely successful and have now been placed on the market by the manufacturers. He has made a number of sketches of various automatic locking, feeding and stopping devices for different classes of machines. Finished drawings from these have been prepared by my senior clerk (Mr. E. W. Stott), and it is hoped to have a pamphlet ready shortly containing illustrations of the latest automatic locking covers for dough mixers and automatic guards for dough brakes. He has also another set of sketches in hand, illustrating some of the automatic devices in use for preventing accidents on the anvils of box corner-staying machines.

Mr. McNair has also enquired into several explosions arising from ignitions of carbonaceous dusts, e.g., coal, dye substance, malt, palm kernel, from acetylene and from the use of blow lamps, and has continued his enquiries into the dangers connected

with dry cleaning by means of benzine. In conjunction with Dr. Bridge he has also made enquiry into the dangers arising from the use of chlorine gas for bleaching flour.

Mr. McNair has further devoted his attention to the various questions which have arisen under the Chemical Works Regulations, and has visited various kinds of chemical works and advised occupiers with regard to the application of the regulations and the best methods of meeting their requirements. His expert chemical knowledge and wide experience of chemical processes have proved invaluable in this connection.

Since his appointment, in August 1921, as Secretary to the Departmental Committee on the use of lead paints, Mr. Price has been almost entirely occupied on that work, and has only been able to devote a little time occasionally to the work of the Engineering Branch. However, in conjunction with Dr. Bridge, he has continued the enquiry into the conditions in works where electric accumulators are manufactured. He has also visited a number of indiarubber works to advise occupiers as to the requirements of the new code of special regulations, and to make enquiries with reference to the prevention of accidents at mixing or incorporating rolls.

During the year Dr. Middleton completed his enquiry as to the nature and amount of injury to health amongst persons engaged in the processes of grinding metals and cleaning and dressing castings, and Mr. Macklin has collaborated with him in the preparation of their final report on this subject. He has also completed the Safety Phamphlet on Abrasive Wheels, which was published early in the year.

Mr. Macklin has further been specially concerned with the application of the Celluloid Regulations, and in this connection has visited over 200 works in different parts of the country. He has also interviewed the officials of many Local Authorities with the object of securing their co-operation regarding improvements in the means of escape in case of fire, and also to discuss the application of the Celluloid and Cinematograph Film Act, 1922, with which the Factory Department is concerned to some extent.

Mr. Hunter has again devoted attention to accidents caused by failure or collapse of parts of cranes, and to the failure of wire ropes. In one case of failure which resulted in a fatal accident and appeared to be due to a breach of the Docks Regulations, he gave evidence at the Coroner's inquest and also at the Police Court when proceedings were taken against the firm. He has also been making a special enquiry with regard to the best methods of fencing hoists and lifts in order to bring up to date the information available on this subject.

He has made special investigations concerning accidents due to failure of centrifuges and other similar appliances, to steam and gas plants, ammonia stills and refrigerating plant, and to the collapse of a large weaving shed in the Huddersfield district.