Other formats

    TEI XML file   ePub eBook file  

Connect

    mail icontwitter iconBlogspot iconrss icon

The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 1, Issue 4 (August 24, 1926)

[section]

A subject which the Board feels to be one of pressing import to the whole of the staff is that of “Safety”. An examination of accidents amongst employees during the last financial year indicates that there is an opening for intensive efforts in the direction of reducing the percentage of accidents in the service.

“Self preservation is the first law of nature!” Why then do men at times risk their lives and imperil the lives of others through lack of ordinary care? For the safe conduct of certain branches of railway work it is highly essential that all concerned should exercise sound judgment and thoughtfulness, and take all possible care. Sensible men endeavour to avoid unnecessary risks. Others deliberately take risks merely to save time or trouble, whilst some men take them for no apparent reason whatever. Every experienced railway-man knows full well that men do take undue risks, quite regardless of the possible consequences to themselves and others. If a man chooses to be reckless in regard to himself, he certainly has no right to jeopardise the safety of his mate or anyone else.

The man who yields to the temptation to take risks may be fortunate enough to escape serious consequences on one or even a number of occasions, but, emboldened by previous immunity from accident, he is apt to become more venturesome, in which case it is only a matter of time until he reaps the harvest for which he has sown. The case is, of course, bad enough if he alone pays the penalty of his foolhardiness, but, if he is a married man with a family, and he meets with an injury which leaves him partially or wholly incapacitated, or if he be fatally injured, it is a very serious matter for them.

The Board earnestly enjoins members always to have due regard for safety and to cultivate the habit of adopting only sound methods of working in all cases where lives are at stake.

Thoughtlessness and rashness are liable at all times to lead to serious accidents.

If any member sees another taking undue risks he should sound a note of warning—it might avert a calamity.

Indifference to risk is a dangerous habit and, if exhibited by experienced men, is a particularly bad example to juniors and inexperienced hands.

Why take risks when life and limb are at stake? Make it your invariable practice to pursue only safe methods in working. Develop the habit of thinking “Is it safe?”, and do your best to inculcate such thoughts in the minds of your work mates.

Familiarity with any class of work is apt to lead to a more or less mechanical performance of that work. Therein lies a potent source of danger in any class of work where mental alertness is necessary. Eternal vigilance is the price of safety.

If you have been in the habit of taking risks be wise and break the habit without delay.

With a view to concentrating the thoughts of members on the question of “Safety”, the Board has decided to offer prizes, which may be competed for by all members of the staff, for essays on “Safety.”

The prize essays will be published in the Magazine.

Those essays will be adjudged best which are most fruitful in “Safety” suggestions.

Employ your time in improving yourself by other men's writings.—Socrates.