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General Manager's Message
“Safety First”

“Safety first” is one of the best known slogans in the Railway world. Although the need is recognised for taking precautions and eliminating, as far as is consistent with practical working conditions, all elements of undue risk, yet the accident rate appears to be on the increase. The figures as shewn in the Railway Statements covering the payments made to workers from 1926 to 1930 shew that there has been a steady increase of payments made for accidents during that period. The actual figures for the years are: 1927, £34,809; 1928, £41,198; 1929, £44,344; 1930, £47,890. Although during the period under review amendments to the Workers’ Compensation for Accident Act have given the employee some increased benefits, the facts indicate that the accident figures shew an upward tendency. This suggests that there is room for action to reduce this growing loss.

The loss on account of workers being laid aside owing to accident is twofold. The particular industry that the worker is engaged in bears a loss that is uneconomic, and the worker sustains a serious loss because his income is decreased at the particular period when his expenditure is probably increased. I desire, therefore, to urge upon all employees the importance of a strict adherence to “safety first” principles in order that the number of accidents may be reduced to a minimum.

The loss through accidents to workers is not peculiar to New Zealand. Railways throughout the world have, at various times, launched vigorous campaigns to impress upon their employees the advantages accruing to all concerned by reducing the number of accidents. American railway managers, armed with statistics, have in recent years, with the whole-hearted co-operation of their workpeople, materially reduced the accident rate in their industry. I believe that the New Zealand workers compare favourably with their American cousins in their capacity to observe “safety first” principles and that what has been achieved in America should be possible here. My earnest desire is to obtain the active interest of all ranks in bringing about this result.

General Manager.