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U. S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
JAMES J. DAVIS, Secretary
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
ETHELBERT STEWART, Commissioner
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES}
BUREAU OF LABOR ST A T IST IC S)
INDUSTRIAL
ACCIDENTS
AND
*
#
*
HYGIENE
M
JO
WO* w
SERIES
RECORD OF INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS
IN THE UNITED STATES TO 1925
JANUARY, 1927
WASHINGTON
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
1927
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
This bulletin was prepared by Lucian W. Chaney, of the United
States Bureau of Labor Statistics,
ri
CONTENTS
P ftg e
1-4
Introduction..................................... ....................................... ......................
State accident records for 1917 to 1925_______________________________ 4-11
Industrial accident rates from State data_____________________________
12
Accident records of individual States............................................................13-29
Alabama..................................................................................................
13
Arkansas........... ............................................................................ .........
13
California......................................................... ......................................
14
Idaho............. ..................... ...........- ....................................... ..............
14
Illinois........................................................................- ............................
15
Indiana...................................... ................ .............................................
15
Kansas________ ______- .................. - .......................... ....... ................ 16
Kentucky........ ................................................................................. —
16
Maryland............ ................................................... ................................16, 17
Massachusetts....................................................................................... 17, 18
Minnesota................................... - ............................................- ...........
18
Montana________________________________________ __________ 19
Nevada______________________________ ______ - ------------ -------------19
New Hampshire------------------------------------- ------------ ---------------------20
New Jersey__________________________________ ______ ___________
20
New York_____________________________________________________ 20, 21
Oklahoma---------------------- ------- -------------------------------------------------21
Oregon............. ....................................................................................... 22, 23
Pennsylvania_________ :------------- _------- --------- ------------ --------------- 23-26
Washington............................................................................................. 26, 27
West Virginia........................ ................................................ .................
27
Wisconsin_____________________________________________________ 27-29
Wyoming.............. ...................... — .....................................................
29
Summary of State reports, 1920 and 1924........ ........................................... 30-36
Classification by industries............................... ..................................... 30-32
Cause of injury________________________________________________ 33, 34
Nature of injury............ - ................................. - .................................. 34, 35
Location of injury...................................................................................35, 36
Steam railways....................- ------------ ------------------------------- ----------------- 36-46
Casualties to trainmen on Class I railroads, 1916 to 1924___________39-43
Nontrain accidents, 1917 to 1924............. .................... ....................... 43-45
Grade crossing accidents, 1890 to 1924___________________________
46
Electric railways......................... - ......... — .................................................. 46, 47
Iron and steel industry--------------------------------------------- --------- ...........— 47-84
Accident experience of the departments of the industry............... ..... 50, 66
Blast furnaces............................. .............. ................................... 51,52
52
Bessemer converters................... ......................................... ...........
Open hearths............................................ .................. ..................
53
Foundries.......................................... ............... ........................... . 53, 54
Bar mills______________________________ ________ ___________
54
Heavy rolling mills.........................................................................54,55
Plate mills------------ ----------------- ---------- ---------- - -------------------55
Puddling mills..................................................................................
56
Sheet mills____________________ _______ ____________________
56
Rod mills..................................................................... - ..................
57
Tube mills.............. ......................................................................... 57.58
Unclassified rolling mills_______________ _______ _____________
58
Fabricating shops.......... ..................... ..........................................
59
59
Forge shops.....................................................................................
Wire drawing...................................... ...........................................
60
Electrical department_____ ______________ __________________ 60,61
Mechanical department...................................................................
61
Power houses-------------- ------------------------------------------------------62
Yards.................... .......................................................................... 62,63
Erection of structural steel............. ......................... .......... ......... 63, 64
Coke ovens............. .................... ....................................................
64
Other departments_____________________________ ___________ 64-66
hi
IV
CONTENTS
Iron and steel industry— Continued.
ra«®
Analysis of accident causes in the industry------------------------------------66-84
Accident experience of the departments compared....................... 66-73
Machinery.............................................. ...................... ...........
67
Power vehicles................................ - ....................................... 67, 68
Hot substances________________________________________ 68, 69
Falls of persons........................................................................ 69, 70
Falling objects..........................................................................70, 71
Handling...................................................................................71,72
Miscellaneous causes...................... _ - ....................................72, 73
Accident experience of the departments analyzed by causes____ 73-84
Blast furnaces_______________ - ........................ .................... 73, 74
Bessemer converters_____________________ ______ ________
74
Open hearths.......... - - ..............................................................
75
Foundries......... ............................... — ...................... ...........75, 76
Heavy rolling mills......... .........................................................
76
Plate mills................................................................................
77
Sheet mills............................................................. .................. 77,78
Tube mills___________ ________ ______________ __________ 78, 79
Fabricating shops___ 1............................................................
79
Mechanical department .....................................................—
80
Yards........................... ....................................... - .................. 80,81
Miscellaneous rolling mills......................................................
81
82
Electrical department............................ .................................
Wire drawing................. ................................... ...................... 82, 83
Hot rolling of sheets............... ..................................... ...........
83
Mines, quarries, and metallurgical works..................................................... 84 -91
Coal mines......................................... .................................................... 84-87
Location and causes of accidents___________________ _________85-87
Metal mines_______________________ _______ _______ _____________ 87-89
89
Quarries..... ................................................................................ - ...........
Metallurgical plants_______________ __________ ____________ ______
90
Coke ovens................ ............................................................................ 90, 91
Miscellaneous industries_____________________ __________ ___________ 91-109
State records....................................................................................... .. 91-102
103
Agricultural implements and supplies.................................................
Building construction........ ....................................................................
104
Explosives, dyes, and chemicals............................................ .......... 104, 105
Light and power........................... ............................. ........................105, 106
Manufacture of cameras__________________________ _______ ______
106
Portland cement_______________________________________________
107
Paper mills............................... ..............................................................
107
Petroleum refining.......... ....................................................................107,108
108
Rubber........ .................. .............................................. ........................
Woodworking-______ ____________________________________ ______
108
Textiles_____________________________________ ____ _____________
109
Accident frequency rates in Departments of the Federal Government-_ 109-111
Industrial accident experience of American industry in 1925.......... ..... 112,113
BULLETIN OF THE
U. S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
No. 425
WASHINGTON
Ja n u a r y ,
tta
RECORD OF INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS IN THE UNITED STATES TO
1925
INTRODUCTION
The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics has issued three
bulletins 1 bringing together as far as possible the important records
of industrial acciaents on a national scale. Two of these were pre
pared by Dr. Frederick L. Hoffman and were issued in 1908 and
1914. The third, prepared by the bureau staff, was published in
1923 and brought the data for the most part up to the year 1920.
In the introduction to the second bulletin Doctor Hoffman com
ments as follows: “ At the present tnie there are no entirely com
plete and trustworthy industrial accident statistics for even a single
important industry in the United States The most reiable data
are for the iron and steel industries, mining, and the railways/’ As
time has gone on, the three Federal agencies concerning themselves
with accident statistics, namely, the Interstate Commerce Com
mission, the Bureau of Mines, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics,
have so improved their methods of collecting and handling accident
data that what they offer may be fairly claimed to be “ trustworthy,”
though in the nature of the case it would be beyond reasonable
expectation that they should be “ entirely complete.”
As compensation legislation spread rapidly over the several States
there rose necessarily a new and insistent demand for accident
statistics which would shed light on the various problems of com
pensation administration. In response to this demand there has
been an immense accumulation of the raw material of statistics.
It would appear to be a rather simple matter to combine the records
of the several States and so produce a national compilation of much
interest and utility. Unfortunately the States have adopted pro
cedures sufficiently different to make it difficult and in many cases
impossible to combine these records in a general exhibit. The
primary reason for this is that the State agencies have found them
selves so involved in the multiplied problems of compensation that
they have been quite unable to give adequate attention to the really
more important problems of accident prevention.
Ultimately it will be necessary for all States to do what some have
already done, namely, to grapple with the matter of accident pre
vention. It is to be hoped that when this time comes there will
be an intelligent correlation between the statistical service and the
inspection service so that the statistical information may contribute
its full share to the desired end.
It may be well, therefore, to restate the statistical items which
are essential to an effective accident prevention program.
* United States Bureau of Labor Statistics Bui. .No. 78: Industrial accidents; Bui. No. 157: Industrial
accident statistics; and Bui. No. 839: Statistics of industrial accidents in the United States.
1
2
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS IX
UNITED STATES
(1) Exposure to hazard.— A very large part of the statistical effort
regarding accidents has been devoted to the mere sorting and record
ing of cases. That this gives little information which can be utilized
for the purpose now under consideration may be established by a
few illustrations. When the accidents for a 6-year period in Penn
sylvania are grouped by industries it appears that coal mining has
300,524 accidents while metals and metal products have 343,163.
A hasty inference from this result would be that the production of
metals and metal products is more dangerous than coal mining. A
little reflection will show the inaccuracy of that conclusion. While
metals and metal products have more accident cases it may be that
there are many more people employed therein than in coal mining.
In other words, exposure to hazard in metals and metal products
may be much greater both because more people are employed and
because they work longer hours. Clearly, to understand the rela
tion of these two groups something more is necessary than merely
to know the number of accidents occurring in each.
This raises the question of an appropriate method of expressing
this element of exposure to hazard. The Germans were the first to
attack the problem. Their solution was to note the number of days
during which each workman was employed. The sum of the days
worked by all the workmen was then divided by 300 on the suppo
sition that the usual working year was one of 300 days of 10 hours
each. The quotient thus derived gave the number of 300-day or
full-year workers. The number of accidents was then divided by
this base and the quotient multiplied by 1,000 to avoid small decimals.
The use of this theoretical 300-day worker as a base for calculating
accident rates was adopted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics when
it began its accident studies.
There were, however, troublesome difficulties in the use of this
base and the International Association of Industrial Accident Boards
and Commissions finally determined, at the instance of its committee
on statistics and accident insurance cost, to cut loose from the idea
of the number of workers and use instead the hours of employment.2
It was agreed that accident frequency rates should be expressed as
number of cases per 1,000,000 hours of exposure while accident
severity rates should be expressed as number of days lost per 1,000
hours of exposure. The method of determining severity rates and
days lost is discussed in a succeeding paragraph.
The importance of exposure as an element in the study of industrial
accidents has become more and more recognized with the passage of
time. The Bureau of Labor Statistics was the first to utilize it on
an extended scale. For some years now the Bureau of Mines and
the Interstate Commerce Commission have presented their facts on
this basis and many sections of the National Safety Council develop
their accident data in this way.
(2) Number of accidents.— Having secured information regarding
exposure to hazard the next step is to secure a record of the number
of cases of injury. A serious difficulty presents itself at once in the
fact that the definition of an accident varies in the different States.
The most widely used definition is that of a “ tabulatable accident.”
This definition is “ an accident causing death, permanent disability,
* See United States Bureau of Labor Statistics Bui. No. 276, pp. 17 aud 68.
STATE ACCIDENT RECORDS
7
TABU 1.—N A TU R E OF IN F O R M A T IO N AS TO ACC ID E N TS F R O M 1930 TO 1921 SE
CU RED FROM THE SEVERAL STATE 8-C ontinued
1933
States reporting accidonls by—
of! Nature of Location
Number Industry Cause
injury
injury of injury
(40)
A la ...
(11)
Ala.
(6)
(7)
(9)
Ala.
Expo*
sure
Source of information
(1)
C olo..
Conn.
First Quadrennial Report of Workmen's
Compensation Commissioner.
Report of State Mine Inspector for 1922.
Report of Industrial Accident Commission
for 1922-23.
Report of Industrial Commission for 1923-24.
Response to special request.
D el....
Oa___
Idaho..
Ill____
In d ....
Do.
Do.
Do.
Report of Department of Labor for 1922-23.
Report of Industrial Commission for 1924.
Ariz__. Ariz..
Ariz.i.
Calif..
Ariz...
111..
111...
Ky..
K y..
M d ...
M d ...
M d ....
M d :::
Mass..
Mass..
Mass...
Mass...
-i H I-.......
111..
Iowa...
K y ..-.
M e...
M d ..
Ky..
Mich..
M in n ... M in n ... M inn.. M in n ... M inn.
Mont.
Nebr.
Nev..
Nev__
N. H ..._ N. H..
N .J ..
N. Mex.
N. Y .
N. Dak.
Response to special request.
Report of Industrial Commission for 1921-22.
Response to special request.
Report of Labor and Compensation Com
missioner for 1924.
Nev___ Report of Industrial Commission for 1920-1922.
Report of Bureau of Labor for 1921-22.
Response to special request.
Do!
Report of Workmen's Compensation Board
for 1922-23.
N. Dak.
Ohio.
Report of Department of Industrial Rela
tions, 1923.
Response to special request.
Okla.
Oreg.
Pa.._.
R. I..
Do!
Do.
S. Dak..
Tenn___ Tenn..
Tex...
Utah..
V t . ..
J Tenn..
V t.
V a ...
W ash... Wash.
W . Va.
W is.....
Report of Workmen’s Compensation Service
for 1922.
Report of Workmen's Compensation Board
for 1921-22.
Responso to special request.
Report of State Industrial Accident Com
mission for 1922.
Report of Department of Industrial Acci
dents for 1922-23.
Wis..
W yo__
i Mines only.
t
V t.
:
Report of Industrial Commissioner for 1923.
Report of Department of Labor for 1923.
Response to special request.
Report of Commissioner of Industries for
1920-1922.
Response to special request.
Report of Department of Labor and Indus
tries for 1922-23.
Response to special request.
Wisconsin Labor Statistics, November, 1925;
response to special request.
Report of Workmen's Compensation De
partment for 1922.
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS IN UNITED STATES
8
T able 1.—N ATU RE OF IN FORM ATION AS TO ACCIDENTS FROM 1020 TO 1934 SE
CU RED FROM THE SEVERAL STATES—Continued
19 93
States reporting accidents by—
of Nature of Location
Nnmber Industry Cause
injury
injury of injury
Expo
sure
(14)
(I)
(39)
(13)
(8)
(10)
Ariz___ Ariz. . .
A riz.i...
Calif___
Colo___
Conn
Del.......
Report of State Mine Inspector for 1923.
Response to special request.
Report of Industrial Commission for 1923-24.
Response to special request.
Oa.........
Idaho...
Ill.......... 311.......... 111........ Ill.......... 111..........
Ind.......
Iowa___
F an s.... Kans___ Kans__
K y ........
Ky........
K y....... K y........
K y........
Me
M d . . . . Md . . . . Md . . . Md . . . . Md
M ass__ M ass. . . M ass. . M a ss... M ass. . .
Mich
M in n ... M in n ... M inn.. M in n ... Minn ..
Mont
Nebr
Nev
Source of information
Nev.......
Report of industrial Commission for 1923.
Response to special request.
Report of Department of Labor for 1923-24;
response to special request.
Report of Industrial Commission for 1924.
Response to special request.
Report of Court of Industrial Relations for
1923.
Report of Workmen’s Compensation Board
for 1923.
Response to special request.
Report of State Industrial Accident Com
mission for 1923.
Report of Department of Industrial Acci
dents for 1923-24.
Response to special request.
Report of Industrial Commission for 1923-24.
Report of Industrial Accident Board for 1923.
Report of Labor and Compensation Com
missioner for 1924.
Nev___ Report of Industrial Commission for 19221924.
N. H___. N. H .... N. H ..
Report of Bureau of Labor for 1924.
N. J
N. Y .._. N. Y.___ N. Y ... N. Y .... N. Y ___ .............. Special Bulletin No. *126 of Department of
Labor.
N. Dak.
N.Dak.
Report of Workmen's Compensation Bureau
for 1923.
Ohio
Report of Department of Industrial Rela
tions for 1923-24.
Okla
Oreg.
Pa
Pa
R. I
S. Dak
Tenn___ Tenn___ T enn ..
Tex.......
U tah.... U tah.... Utah
Vt
Vt
V t.........
Va
Va.
Va
Va.
Wash
W. Va
Wis....... Wis
W yo.
>Mines only.
Wis
Response to special request.
Do.
Report of Bureau of Workmen's Compensa
tion for 1923.
Response to special request.
Report of Industrial Commissioner for 1923.
Report of Department of Labor for 1923.
Roport of Industrial Accident Board for 1923.
Bulletin No. 3 of Industrial Commission.
Report of Commissioner of Industries for
1922-1924.
Report of Industrial Commission for 1923.
Department of Labor and Industries* Report
to Governor, 1924.
Response to special request.
Labor Statistics, October, 1924; November,
1925.
Response to special request.
STATE ACCIDENT RECORDS
9
T able 1,—N ATU RE OP IN FO R M A TIO N AS TO ACCIDENTS FROM 1920 TO 1824 SE
CU RED FROM TH E SEVERAL STATES—Continued
1924
States reporting accidents by—
of Nature of Location
Number Industry Cause
injury
injury of injury
(39)
06)
(14)
(8)
(7)
Expo
sure
Source of information
(1)
Ariz.1. . .
Ariz___ Ariz....... Ariz____
C alif.... Calif.*... Calif.*.. Calif.1__ Calif.*
Colo___
Conn__
D el........
Report of State Mine Inspector for 1924.
Response to special request.
Report of Industrial Commission for 1923-24.
Response to special request.
Ga.........
Idaho... Idaho...
Ill..........
ln d ........
Iowa___
Do.
Do.
Do.
Report of Industrial Commission for 1924.
Response to special request.
Kans___ Kans___ Kans...
K y ........ K y____
K y____ Ky
M e........
Md
Md
Md
K y____
Mass
Mich
I1
M in n ... M in n ... M inn.. M in n ... Minn
Mont .
Nebr ,,
Nev
Nev— —
N. H ___ N. H___ N. H
N. J
N. J
N. J
N. Y
& Dak.
N. Dak J
OWO
1
Okla.3—
— 'i Okla
Oreg . >
Pa
' Pa_____
Okla
Pa.........
R. I
1
S. Dak—<________
Report of Court of Industrial Relations for
1924.
Report of Workmen’s Compensation Board
for 1924.
Response to special request.
Report of State Industrial Accident Com
mission for 1924.
Response to special request.
Do.
Report of Industrial Commission for 1923-24.
Report of Industrial Accident Board for 1924.
Report of Labor and Compensation Com
missioner for 1924.
Nev___ Reportof Industrial Commission for 1922-1924.
State report of Bureau of Labor for 1924.
Report of Department of Labor for 1924.
Response to special request.
Report of Workmen’s Compensation Bureau
for 1924-25.
Report of Department of Industrial Rela
tions for 1924.
Report of State Industrial Commission for
1924.
Response to special request.
Report of Bureau of Workmen’s Compensa
tion for 1924.
Response to special request.
Report of Industrial Commissioner for 1924.
Report of Department of Labor for 1924.
Report of Industrial Board for 1924.
Bulletin No. 3 of Industrial Commission for
1924.
Report of Commissioner of Industries for
1922-1924.
Response to special request.
Tenn___■ Tenn.... T e n n .. Tenn
Tex
!
Utah___j U tah.... Utah
Vt
i
Vt
V t.........
1
Va......... ■................
!
W ash...! Wash.._ W ash.. Wash
Summary of Accidents, 1924, Department of
1
Labor and Industries (sheet).
W. V a ..; W. V a .. W. V a . W. V a .. W. V a .. . . . . . . . . . Report of State Compensation Commis
sioner for 1924.
Wis
Wis_
Report of Industrial Commission of Wiscon
sin, 1924; and Wisconsin Labor Statistic^
November, 1926.
W y o . . . j ...............
Report of Workmen’s Compensation Depart
ment for 1924.
i
*Mines only.
*Six months.
* Fatal and nonfatal combined.
T able 3.—N U M BE R OF FA TA L A N D NON FATAL ACCIDENTS AS REPO RTE D BY THE STATES, 1917 TO 1825, B Y YEARS
1918
1917
1920
1919
State
Fata!
Nonfatal
Fatal
Nonfatal
36
1,261
150
57,014
14,730
*46,935
<»)
41
«43,188
6,107
«42,513
4,
- 21
492
2854
36,268
764
<i29
73,785
37,618
37,754
597
5,"367
49,988
305
159
83
373
187
37,147
15,420
6,342
13.557
*980
268
J81
104
118
34,964
10,926
6,322
13,810
•876
291
154
118
493
*1
42,703
14,283
6,891
15,662
(*)
16.557
42,407
77,067
256, :m
29,716
52
u 183
356
256
215
18,666
46,692
66,884
231,421
27,068
153
376
313
18,463
53,525
65,112
227,045
32,659
5,697
7,053
1,960
759
»37,003
122
28
35
5,353
11,245
1,177
>543
300
<»)
31
998
59,055
12,480
110
(*)
201
1,127
(»)
57,991
11,157
14,738
37,303
78,308
112,477
30,926
Montana..............
Nebraska.............
Nevada................
New Hampshire.
New Jersey..........
307
15
52
9
361
8,018
13,2781
1,958,
459
12,3821
H 185
1,570
311,836
* 28
1,504
285,367
*21
1,815
855
141
158,786
15,027
956
195
161,253
19,723
870|
151,401
90
3,072
27
12,044
224,808
103
3,403
49
147
2.569
1,465
49
12,638
181,441
3,133
1,750
1,613
14.333
149,975
2,666
2,228
1,190
Oregon»............. .
Pennsylvania__
Rhode Island i-_.
South Dakota....
Tennessee_______
i7
261
»« 163
438
320
251
12i
J3
39
10
20
30,728
30
(»>
201
4,820
13,626
1,143
94
50
33
40
285
28,556
*32
1,236
4
764
130
(»)
344,436
720
182,206
22,584
144
2,5281
28!
21!
i09;
13,275
172.451
2,951
17,455
STATES
io 131
481
388
183
<38,764
2,611
UNITED
Maine..................
Maryland............
Massachusetts___
Michigan..............
Minnesota...........
6,453
724
7,144
958
1,405
69,813
14,100
IN
(-)
42.148
24,520
6,371
512,665
•819
135
53
16
592
179
Fatal' Nonfatal
Nonfatal
93
14
706
202
108
82
Indiana___
Iowa..........
Kansas......
Kentucky..
Louisiana..
New M exico...
New York........
North Dakota.
Ohio............ .
Oklahoma........
Fata]
ACCIDENTS
Connecticut...
Delaware____
Georgia_____
Idaho1____
Illinois»_____
Fatal
INDUSTRIAL
Alabama i„.
Arizona
Arkansas...
California..
Colorado...
Nonfatal
96
21,222|
27,596
174,370
28,357
4,394
25,408
161;
Texas..
Utah______ ___ __
V erm on tllllllir
Virginia...............
Washington____
<»)
* 512
22,156
West Virginia....
Wisconsin______ _
Wyoming................
U n it e d S ta te s
C om p en sation
Commission........
Total.
<»;
219
1*37
22,903
20,341
1726
1*15,849
90
49
*41
414
5471
163
24
52,502
*11,782
7,160
>846
26,892
19| 198
571
73
28
144
(*)
8,816
6,258
10,776
21,905
<*)
18,204
605
25,171
4001
99
32
172
(13)
65,600
10,084
8,048
12,151
25,924
(18 )
171
43
18,270
776
427
19,653
308!
9l|
29
133
287
94,2561
9,932
7,724
5,327
19,729
429
181
51
214
95,109|
8,388
6,564
6,498
18,453
84
35
145
13,137
9,356
6,518
31,081
299
281
43
180
385
92,613
13,919
10.507
7,
39,270
357
24
144
227
18,806
443
191
33
21,855
20, irJO
1,198
501
168
82
28,269
22,099
1,719
751
134
88
30,608
25,062
1,669
586
246
31,045
20,891
18,042
353
17,905
279
17,713
278
20.260
314
2a 374
112
198
91,065
14,203
9,497
7,606
42,003
i* 11,3381? 1,363,080 w 12,531 1*1,545,787 is 10,806 i* 1,365,520 i» 11,062 >•1,636,837 9,392 1,327,369 9,434 1,294,220 10,947 1,641,145:11,479 1,666,522 10,5371,687,957
ACCIDENT
RECORDS
STATE
* Compensable cases.
1 Mines only.
* Not reported.
« Includes fatal accidents, the number of which is not reported.
* Estimated.
•March to December.
* Covers 10 months only.
*Includes fatal accidents, the number of which is not reported. Covers claims filed, for 11 months only.
* Figures for New Orleans Parish,
u Number of claims filed.
u Covers 8 months only.
12 Coal mines only,
i* Records destroyed by fire.
14 Covers 15 months.
1* Includes cases reported from Sept. 7,1916, to Dec. 31,1916.
ij Fatal cases in Connecticut and Kentucky are included under nonfatal cases, not being reported separately.
17 Includes fatal accidents in Connecticut and Kentucky, the numlier of which is not reported.
1* Fatal cases in Connecticut are included under nonfatal cases, not being reported separately.
Includes fatal cases in Connecticut, the number of which is not reported.
12
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS IN UNITED STATES
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENT RATES FROM STATE D A TA 1
For some time past the Bureau of Labor Statistics has been collect
ing from month to month for certain industries a report of the number
of employees upon the pay rolls of selected concerns. This informa-,
tion, supplemented by a few additional items secured by special
request from the firms, has made possible the determination of
exposure in terms of man-hours for a group of companies, and for the
same companies accident records have been obtained from the
State accident agencies. Table 3 contains the resulting compila
tions. It should be noted, however, that the data here presented
were derived from a small number of States and some of the industries
have too small an exposure to be as authoritative as could be desired.
T a b l e 3 . — A CCIDEN TS A N D ACCIDEN T RATES IN SELECTED ESTABLISHM ENTS IN
SPECIFIED INDUSTRIES, 1024
Accident frequency rates
(per 1,000,000 ntours*
exposure)
Number of cases
Industry
Fullyear
work
ers
Agricultural im
plements____ . . . 3,142
Automobiles.... . . . 5,648
Auto tires.............. 5,772
Boots and shoes... 1,614
Brick...................... 3,514
Electrical machin
ery...................... 4,626
Flour...................... 2,921
Foundry and ma
chine shops......... 17,774
Furniture.............. 5,333
Glass...................... 1,283
Lumber and plan
ing mills............. 1,852
Paper and pulp___ 1,171
Pottery..................
953
Slaughtering and
meat packing___ 19,911
Stoves.................... 3,278
Machine tools... . 3,635
Steam fittings____ 1,424
Structural
iron
work................... 1,187
Accident severity rates
(per 1,000 hours' ex
posure)
Per Tem
Per Tem
Per Tem
ma po
ma po
ma po
rary
nent rary
nent rary To
Death nent
dis dis Total Death dis dis Total Death dis dis tal
abil abil
abil abil
abil abil
ity
ity
ity
ity
ity
ity
19 361 380
17 495 512
25 1,741 1,767
1
23
24
537
13 522
0.06
.19
1.00
1.40
.21
1.23
364
113
411
120
.07
.11
3.31 26.23 29.61
.68 12.89 13.68
.43
79 1,928 2,016
204 226
21
5 289 295
.15
.06
.26
15
13
2
145
162
62
98 1,311! 1,420
3 325! 331
9 322: 332
272!
275
3
46
6
11
6
128
148
60;
1
303
i
310
2.02 38.32 40.34
29.21 3a 21
97.18 98.64
4.75 4.96
49.52 5a 94
a68
.68
.68
2.99
.85
.34 3.76
.18 1.71
1.32 32.14 33.61
1.31 12.75 14.12
1.30 75.07 76.63
.90
.38
1.56
1.06
.91
1.36
.45 2.42
.26 1.55
.83 3.75
.36
.28
2.70 23.04 26.10
3.70 42.14 46.12
.70 21.00 21.70
2.16
1.71
5.17
2.83
.84
.71 8.04
.67 5.21
.47 1.31
.18
.31
.09
1.64
.31
.83
.70
1.10
1.83
.55
1.21
.24
.55
.49
.70 3.01
.31 2.38
.31 1.41
.79 lv 28
.28
1.68 85.06 87.02
1.68
.94
1.04 3.67
21.95 23.77
33.05 33.67
29.53 30.45
63.68 64.38
1.14
1.00
1.60
.06
1.62 2.30
.55 1.55
1.18 3.11
.11 .1 7
.97 2.79
a33
The highest frequency rate (98.64) shown in this table is found in
the manufacture of auto tires, followed by that in structural-iron
work (87.02). The highest severity rate (8.04) is in lumber and
planing mills. Both structural iron and planing mills have a rather
small exposure and therefore too great significance should not be
attached to these rates.
1 When this section of the report was orginally prepared the latest data available was for 1924. Sub
sequently data for 1925 became available and are presented on p. 93, and for purposes of comparison the
1924 figures are there repeated.
STATE ACCIDENT RECORDS— ARKANSAS
13
ACCIDENT RECORDS OF INDIVIDUAL STATES
These records include those assembled for Bulletin No. 339 and
such later records as it has been possible to secure. For the most
part this brings into comparison the year 1920 with some later year,
most frequently the year 1924. While for some States the year 1925
is available it was thought better not to include it in the present
presentation.
ALABAMA
In 1922 in Alabama, as in all States where coal mining is important,
coal mining stood at the head in number of accidents both fatal (169)
and nonfatal. Lumber and wood products (16), metals and products
(14), and construction followed in order.
T a b l e 4.—N U M BER OF ACCIDENTS i IN ALABAM A, 1922, BY INDUSTRIES
Death
Industry
Agriculture__________. . . . . . . . . . . . . . __ ____ . . . ______________
Chemicals and p r o d u c t s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . __ _____ . .
Cement and products__________ _____________________ . ____
Clay, glass, and stone.. . . . . . . . __ . . . . . . . . ______ __________ . . . .
Clothing........................................................................................
Construction
____ ________
Food products..___ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . __ . . . ___ . . . . . . . .
Leather and products__________ . . . . . . . . . ___________________
Lumber and wood p r o d u c t s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . _______ —
Mercantile_________________ _______ . . . . _____ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Metals and products____ . . . . . . . . . . ___ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Mines, coal__ ____________________________________________
Mines (not coal) and q u a r rie s .................... ................... .........
Paper and products___ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ___ - ___
Printing and publishing_________ _______________ _____ _____
Public utilities and transportation..____ ___ ____ ___________
Textiles............ ...... . . . . . _________ ___________. . . . ______ ____
Unclassified.................... ................................................................
Total.....................................................................................
Perma Tempo
nent
rary
disability disability
0
1
7
2
6
2
11
16
14
1C9
4
5
I
231
85
1
69
115
6
1
1
23
26
14
362
Total
a
2
50
67
43
5
314
42
7
462
117
967
1,831
103
5
7
858
181
115
5,176
n
52
7
340
42
7
563
118
1,040
2,116
113
6
8
886
207
133
iS, 769
i Compensable cases.
ARKANSAS
Table 5 contains the latest information regarding accidents in
Arkansas which was available at the time this bulletin was prepared.
The notable item in Table 5, showing the fatal and nonfatal acci
dents in Arkansas reported for 1920, is that the largest number of
deaths (11) was in the lumber and its remanufacture industry. It is
probable that agriculture was responsible for a considerable number
of deaths, but agriculture is not included under the compensation law.
T able 5.—NUM BER OF ACCIDENTS IN ARKANSAS, 1920, BY INDUSTRIES
Number of accidents
Industry
Non
fatal
Fatal
Clay, glass, and stone............................................................................... . . . .
Food.............................. .................................................................................
Lumber and its remanufacture___ _____ ______________________________
Mercantile.......................................................................................................
Mines (not coal)...................................... ......................... ............................
Metals and products.......................................................................................
Printing and publishing................................................................................
Public service......... .............. .................... ............... ...................................
Textiles............................................................................................................
All other...........................................................................................................
Total.....................................................................................................
2063*—27-----2
11
2
1
2
10
£
1,149
5
63
13
6
12
2
128
1,404
Total
3
23
1,160
65
13
6
13
2
130
1,420
14
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS IX UNITED STATES
CALIFORNIA
Accident data for California for 1920 and for six months of 1924,
are presented in Table 6. Assuming that the experience of the
second six months of 1924 would be like that of the first, it appears
that accidents were considerably more numerous in the later year.
There is no means of determining whether this represents a real
change for the worse or is simply Sue to greater industrial activity.
In 1920 public service had the heaviest fatality (122), while in six
months in 1924 construction had 65 eases.
T a b l e 6 .— NU M BER OF A C C ID E N T S » IN’ CALIFORNIA, 1920, AND SIX MONTHS ENDING
JUNE 30, 1921 BY INDUSTRIES
Accidents resulting in—
Permanent
disability
Death
Industry
: Jan.1
1920 to June
30,1924
Agriculture___________. . . . . . . . . . . . . ___
59 i
11
Chemicals,.____________ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7
Clay, glass, and stoue_____ . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Clothing....................................................
63
Construction_________________________
17
Food products______ _________________
Iron and steel___ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ______
Laundries__________ _________________
i
Leather and rubber_______ ___________
Lumber and wood................................ .
60
14
Metals and metal product®......................
Mines (not coal) and quarries and oil___
CO
Paper and printi ng..................................
4
Pulp and paper.............................. .........
Printing....................................................
Public service............ .................... .........
122
2?)
......................................
......
Shipbuilding
1
Textiles and clothing...............................
All other___ _____ _______ . . . . . ________ 147
Total...............................................
Ten. 1
19-20 to June
30,1924
21
6
3
P,5 .
4j
1
!
31 !
10
44
43 !
1!
:
78 !
125
43
23
6
2*1
103
21"
14
208
287
170
54
143
144
4
263 |
307 : 1.929 !
502
Temporary
disability
1920
Jan. 1
to June
30,1924
Total accidents
1920
Jan. 1
to June
30,1924
4,102
2,300
2,241
4,286
1,964
1.039
2,018
1,058
705
735
1.039
1,057
227
233
102 ■ 8,003 “ 8,"146" 8,327 """8,313
5,274
2,412
2.443
27 j 5,154
3
237
241
362’
284
383"
290
6 ;
224
5
162
477
229
4,977
3,549
127 j 4,649
3,391
7,181
3,452
85 i 6,880 3,357
3,664
4,721
3,789
81 ; 4,191
808
866
3
46
49
9
296
305
9,132
2,088
12 ; 8,867
2,033
6 i 4,118
547
554
4,288
4 :» 132
269
273
137
151 i 16,960 14,178 17,370
14,407
38
13
15
«R7 ' R7 R84 43,403
70,405
44,397
1 Tabulatablfe accidents.
IDAHO
Lumbering and mining were responsible for the greatest number of
fatalities in Idaho in 1920 and in 1924. In 1920 there were 43 deaths
in lumbering and 13 in mines. The 1924 record is 56 deaths in
lumbering and 45 in mines.
T a b l e 7.—NU M BER OF ACCIDENTS INT IDAHO, YEARS ENDING OCTOBER 31, 1820 AND
1024. BY INDUSTRIES
Accidents resulting in—
Industry
Permanent
disability
Death
Temporary
disability
Total accidents
1919-201 1923-24 1919-20) 1923-24 1919-201 1923-24 1919-201 1923-24
1
Agriculture and stock raising___. . . . .
12
Construction...................... ......... . . . .
Lumber_______ __________. . . . . . . . . .
43
Mines________________________ . . . .
13
Manufacture........................
...............
Mercantile__________________. . . ___
1
Transportation and utility____ _____
Unclassified—_____________________
13
Total_______________________
------- 1
i Compensation claims allowed.
83
20 i
56
45
2
1!
10
6
140
fi
36
96
34
120
713
1,592
1,210
883
134
1,617
3,290
2,726
770
1,217
737
725
960
143
1,724
3,579
2,876
817
1,259
791
773
4,748
11,210
5,086
11,961
113
665
1,453
1,163
64
9
87
233
104
45
41
44
42
255
605
19
471”
49i"
STATE ACCIDENT RECORDS— INDIANA
15
ILLINOIS
In Illinois in the years 1920 and 1923 the coal mines had the greatest
number of fatalities, 171 in 1920 and 155 in 1923. Metals and prod
ucts came next (86) in 1920 with construction and public service
following (68). In 1923 public service (74) and construction (80)
rank next to coal mines. Agriculture shows few cases as compared
with California, for example, because acceptance of the compensation
law is optional for farmers, and in Illinois rather few have elected to
come under the law.
T a b l e 8.—N U M BER OF ACCIDENTS i IN ILLINOIS, 1920 AND 1923, B Y INDUSTRIES
Accidents resulting in—
Permanent
disability
Death
Industry
1920
Agriculture............................... .
Chemicals and products..........
Clay, glass, and stone...............
Clothing...................................
Construction.............................
Food, beverage, and tobacco...
Leather and rubber................. .
Lumber and wood...................
Mercantile................................
Metals and metal products___
Mines, coal...............................
Mines (not coal) and quarries.
Municipalities..........................
Oil and gas-well operation........
Paper and paper products.......
Printing and publishing___. . .
Public services.........................
Textiles......................................
Unclassified.............................. .
1923
7
G
7
74
2
103
95
246
39
311
28
3
102
675
8,226
155
79
50
455
316
S3
379
65
2.085
20
Total,
1923
1
9
6
5
66
17
1
9
16
63
274
3
14
8
1
3
35
17
5
80
33
5
17
33
71
155
4
3
24
5
86
171
12
17
1920
10®
Total accidents
Tem;
1920
245
1,144
828
530
3.190
2.845
420
1,579
895
11,710
9,398
384
204
519
594
2,357
253
4,667
626 41,762
1923
1920
1923
281
1,060 1,324
1,436
916
736
581
5,105
3.713
4,589
3, m
690
506
2,610
1,982
965
2,117
12,673 13,881
14,170 13,249
161
437
516
231
312 I
602
m
705
818
3,175
2.67L
325
299
5,036
9,128
2,166
12,807
14,599
168
550
327
609
825
3,277
330
9,333
50,585
61,810
60,509
292
1,104
1,457
746
5,251
4.637
696
i Compensable cases.
INDIANA
The form of the Indiana report makes a separation of the fatal
and nonfatal accidents in the industries in that State impossible.
In both years shown in Table 9— 1920 and 1921— metal products
had the greatest number of accidents, with coal mines and public
service next in order and not far apart.
T a b l e 9 .—NUM BER OF ACCIDENTS IN INDIANA, 1920 AND 1921, B Y INDUSTRIES
Year ending
September 3 0 Industry
Industry
1920
Agriculture................
Chemicals..................
Clay, glass, and stone
Clothing.....................
Construction..............
Food...........................
Leather and rubber.Lumber......................
Mercantile.................
Metal products.........
Year endiug
September 3 0 -
189
156
1,614
135
2,731
2,452
454
3,355
1,176
17.101
1921
148
91
1,253
196
3,056
2,112
427
2,274
1,272
9,683
1920
Mines, coal...............................
Mines (not coal) and quarries___
Municipal................................
Paper products.........................
Printing....................................
Public service........................... .
Textiles......................................
Unclassified..............................
Total................................
4,222
477
32
682
248
4,843
154
2,973
1921
4»851
698
31
589
175
4,248
136
3,156
42,994 i1 34,396
16
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS IN UNITED STATES
KANSAS
Three years, 1920, 1921, and 1924 are covered in Table 10, showing
accident data for Kansas. The total for 1924 considerably exceeds
that of the other years. Public service had the greatest number of
fatalities in each of the years (57 in 1920, 24 in 1921, and 33 in 1924).
Oil and gas, which do not appear in some of the State reports, are a
considerable factor in Kansas accidents.
TABLE 10.—N U M BER OF ACCIDENTS IN KANSAS, 1920, 1921, AN D 1924, BY INDUSTRIES
Accidents resulting in—
Industry
Permanent
disability
Death
Temporary disa
bility
1920 1921 1924 1920 1921 1924 1920
5
Cement and p ro d u cts......___
1
Clay, glass, and stone...............
1
1
5
5
Food products...........................
5
Lumber......................................
1
r
Metals and metal products ....
3 "iV
4
Mines, coal................................. 19 23
Mines (not coal) and quarries..
2 ..... .....
Oil and gas................................. 13
Public service............................. 57 24 33
16
7
Unclassified................................ 17
84
Total................................ 118 71
1921
1924
Total accidents
1920
1921
10
308
2
82
189 103
3
99
84
1
11
16 964 908 1,322 994 924
25
28
3
11
18
29
32
47
152
7
24 958
509 1,779 978
10
519
892 873 840
8 836 810
18
7
4
57
227
6
73 235
57
24 ” i« ' 31 1,205 1,245 1,298 1,242 1,271
39 1,844 1,609 2,281 1,944 1,657
13 24
14 21
562 899 2,404
47
593 927
167 93 192 |6,724 6,147 10,698 7,009 6,311
1924
323
192
1,343
163
1,814
904
77
1,338
2,353
2,467
10,974
KENTUCKY
The coal mines of Kentucky furnished considerably more than half
of its fatalities (64) in the year 1924, and nearly half of all recorded
accidents were in connection with this industry. The lumber and
wood products industry (6) stands next in number of fatalities.
T a b l e ll .- N U M B E R OF ACCIDENTS IN KEN TU CK Y, Y EA R ENDING JUNE 30, 1920 AND
1924, BY INDUSTRIES
Accidents in 1924 resulting in—
Industry
Death
Agriculture...._________ - ______ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chemicals and products___________ ______ . . . . . . . . .
Cement and products
. . . . . . . . . __ - __ . . . . . . . . . . . .
Clay, glass, and stone______ - _______ ____ _________
Clothing........................................................................
Construction____ __ _______ ______________ __
Food products.......... ...................................................
Leather products...........................
..............................
Lumber and wood products.............................. .
Mercantile.....................................................................
Metals and products______ ________ . . . . _________
Mines (coal) ...............................................................
Mines (not coal) and quarries........... - ______ _______
Oil and gas.....................................- ______ __________
Paper and products........................... ................ .........
Printing and publishing______. . . __ ____ __________
Public service_____ _____________ . . . . . . . . . . . . _____
Textiles.......................... ..............................................
U n c la s s ifie d ..................__ - ____ . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total..................................................... ............
Perma
nent
dis
ability
1
1
1
4
1
11
2
2
116
11
6
3
64
1
26
2
33
270
7
9
2
1
5
15
97
64
561
Tempo
rary
dis
ability
6
95
67
829
.85
4,027
757
216
2,115
226
1,264
11,239
414
567
110
88
342
167
4,861
27,475
Total accidents
1920
88
490
79
878
1,428
179
1,294
810
2,511
5,968
169
34
102
309
211
1,605
16,155
1924
6
100
69
841
85
4,145
770
216
2,147
228
1,300
11,573
422
576
112
88
348
167
4,940
28,133
MARYLAND
In both of the years shown for Maryland in Table 12 the fatalities
were most numerous in construction, there being 56 in 1920 and 19
in 1924. The fact that shipbuilding is included under construction
STATE ACCIDENT RECORDS— MASSACHUSETTS
17
accounts in part for these numbers. In 1920 metals and products
were second (30) and public service third (20). In 1924 public serv
ice (16) was second and food products and metals (8) each were next.
T a b l e 1 2 . — N U M BER OF ACCIDENTS* IN M ARY LA N D , YEARS ENDING OCTOBER 31,
1920 AND 1924, BY INDUSTRIES
1923-24: Accidents resulting in—
1919-20
Industry
Non
Fatal
acci
dents
dents
10
62
72
441
444
41
2,494
284
Agriculture...............................
Chcmicals and products..........
Cement and products...............
Clay, glass, and stone...............
Clothing....................................
fatal
acci
m3
284
210
100
Construction 2.......................
Food products..........................
Leather and rubber..................
Lumber and wood products...
Mercantile.................................
Metals and metal products___
Mines (coal)..............................
Mines (not coal) and quarries.
Paper and paper products.......
Printing and publishing..........
Public service...........................
Textiles.....................................
Unclassified..............................
Total..
1,188
Total
Death
Perma Tem
nent porary
dis
dis
ability ability
2
15
4
8
5
78
50
18
61
16
156
210
102
1,218
11
12
6
204
198
510
126
10
153
751
6,541
8
204
16
126
761
12
95
ft 694
* Compensation claims allowed, in 1020, and claims fiied, in 1924.
81
13
47
541
Total
17
567
19
586
2,444
1,378
243
796
490
2,420
391
209
160
151
1,684
117
1,457
13,283
345
335
%541
1,436
262
865
506
2,584
409
224
168
159
1,731
130
1,516
13,919
101
* Includes shipbuilding.
MASSACHUSETTS
In the published records of accidents of Massachusetts the indus
trial groups are subdivided in great detail; for example, textiles are
shown under the following heads: Carpet mills, cotton mills, dyeing,
hemp and jute, knitting, lace, linen, print works, cordage, sails,
silk mills, woolen mills, and unclassified.
Table 13 presents the data for the years 1920 and 1923. In 1920
public service had the greatest number (135) of fatalities, with con
struction (43) coming next. In 1923 construction (62) leads, fol
lowed by the mercantile group.
T a b l e 1 3 .—-NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS IN MASSACHUSETTS, 1920 AND 1923, BY
INDUSTRIES
Accidents resulting l n Industry
1920
Agriculture.................................
Chemicals and products............
Cement and products................
•Clay, glass, and stone................
Clothing.....................................
Construction (building trades).
Food products............................
Leather and products................
Lumber and wood products___
Mercantile..................................
Metals and products................. .
Mines and quarries...................
Paper and products...................
Printing and publishing_______
Public service......................... .
Textiles..
Total.
Permanent
disability
Death
1923
3
11
1
43
7
12
4
36
36
3
8
1
135
37
40
376
1920
8
4
32
30
1
5
5
26
19
115
330
3
98
49
148
118
82
436
9
47
31
1,621
1923
Temporary
disability
1920
191
8
11
760
2
11 ' “ '392*
312
5
106 4,891
29 2,023
4,504
2,052
5,997
95
331 13,179
1 172
51
1,986
22
91
253
207
1,444
686
8,125
10,921
7,300
63,491
1923
Total accidents
1920
196
781
611
161
418
406
330
316
6,350
5,032
1,977
2,079
3,534
4,664
2,158
2,174
7,692
6,115
9,194 13,651
194
184
2,041
2,016
735
718
3,418
8,322
9,782 11,246
14,218
7,563
63,116 65,488
1923
339
631
164
431
335
6,518
2,014
3,631
2,294
7,819
9,555
196
%m
762
3,535
10;-054
14,540
64,890
18
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS IN UNITED STATES
Table 14 discloses the relation in Massachusetts between cases of
accident and losses due to such accidents. It appears on inspection
that frequency and severity do not move together. For example,
the cause group “ vehicles'* shows 6.3 per cent of the cases but 21.3
er cent of the loss, while “ handling, ” with 36.5 per cent of the cases,
as 16.6 per cent of the losses.
E
TABLE 14*—PER CEN T OF ACCIDENTS IN MASSACHUSETTS IN 1920 DUE TO EACH
SPECIFIED OAUSE AND OF DAYS LOST
Per cent
Accident cause
Acci
dents
Machinery_____. ____ _____ . ____________ . . . ___ . . . . _. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . __
Explosives and hot substances____ ____ . . . . . __ . . . __ ______ ____ . . . . . . . . . . . . . ____
Fans of persons ......................... ...................................................................................
Fsliing objects not handled.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . _____. . . __ . . . . . __ ___ . . . . . . . . . ___
Handling objects________ - __ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Handling tools________ ____ __ . . . . . _. . . . . . . . . . . . . _. . . . . __ ___________ . . . . __ . .
Stepping on or striking objects____________ . . . . . ____ . . . . ____ ___________________
Other causes.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .... .......................................................................................
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .... ............. .... .......... .............................................
Days
lost
23.4
6.3
4.6
14.0
3.7
29.2
7.3
6.0
5.5
i
mi. o i
29'. 1
21.3
7.7
14.1
4.2
13.0
3.6
1.7
5.3
inn. n
\
MINNESOTA
In- Minnesota, in 1919-20, the iron mines had the largest number of
deaths (56) from accident, with lumber (34) second, and construction
(23) third. Food production, mainly in the manufacture of flour,
had a considerable number of deaths (13). The deaths in 1921-22
are not separable from other accidents in that year.
T able 15.—NUM BER OF A C C ID E N T S « IN M INNESOTA, YEARS ENDING JUNE 30, 1920
AND 1922, BY INDUSTRIES
j Accidents in 1919-20; resulting
in—
Industry
Death
Agriculture..... ......... ......... . . . . . . . . . ___ . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chemicals and products___ . . . . . _______ . . . . . . _____
Clay, glass, ana s t o n e ........_______ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Clothing
_____________ . . . . . . . . . _. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Construction.................................................................
Food products............................................................... i i
Leather and fur.............................................................;
Lumber and wood products........................................ !!
Mercantile.................................................................... !
Metals and products.................................................... I
Mines (not coal) and quarries......................................
Municipal... ___ _______ ________________ _______
Paper and products...................................................... i
Printing and publishing__________________________
Public service____________ _______ _______________
Textiles............................................ ...................... ....
Unclassified_______________ _____________________
Total....................................................................
i Compensation claims allowed.
Perma Tempo
nent dis rary dis
ability
ability
Total accidents
1919-20
1921-22
26
1
14
28
1
120
154
21
214
52
195
136
19
26
18
27
16
141
43
123
256
37
1,447
1,444
112
1.223
653
1,430
2,001
181
217
115
427
99
1,546
45
138
285
38
1,589
1,611
134
1,471
714
1,638
2,193
206
246
133
469
115
1,713
265
130
499
64
2,584
201
1,183
11,354
12,738
10,657
1
1
1
22
13
34
13
56
6
3
15
98
128
267
51
1,306
1,308
57
1,050
1,398
611
841
STATE ACCIDENT RECORDS— NEVADA
19
MONTANA
In Table 16 accident data for Montana for a five-year period are
consolidated. In these five years mining had 558 fatalities (an aver
age of 112 per year), or more than two-thirds of all fatal accidents
recorded in the State.
Metals and products (66), construction (41), and lumber (36) are
other industries of high fatality hazard.
T a b l e 16.—N U M BER OF ACCIDENTS IN M ON TAN A FOR 5-YEAR PERIOD, JULY 1,1915,
TO JUNE 30, 1920, BY INDUSTRIES
Accidents resulting in—
Total
Perma Tempo accidents
nent dis rary dis
ability
ability
Industry
Death
Clay and s t o n e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
C o n s t r u c t io n ...................................................
Food______ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . __ ___ _______ . . . . . . . . . . . .
Leather.... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . __ . . . . __ . . . . . __ . . . . . .
Lumber_____. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ___ . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Mercantile_________ _____ ./. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Motals and products_______ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Mines, coal___________________. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Mines (not coal) and quarries______. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ___
__________________. . . .Municipal
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . __
P rin tin g and p u b l i s h i n g . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Public service________ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textiles....... .
U n cla ssifie d ...........__ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total.....................................................................................
2
41
10
1
59
28
65
2,036
1,173
36
1
66
61
497
1
1
31
82
10
109
76
287
68
2,136
1,211
1
1,747
815
3,135
1,969
18,710
109
131
820
7
955
31,314
35
22
1,629
304
2,960
1,832
17,926
108
125
770
7
898
782
698
29,834
5
19
NEVADA
Metal mines in Nevada had 19 fatalities in 1919-20 and 18 in
1923-24. In each year the deaths in metal mines outnumber all
others in the State.
T a b l e 17 «-N U M B E R OF ACCIDENTS IN NEVADA, YEARS EN DIN G JUNE 30. 1920 AND
1924, BY INDUSTRIES
Accidents resulting in—
Industry
Permanent
disability
Death
Total accidents
Temporary
disability
1919-20 1923-24
1919-20 1923-24 1919-20 1923-24 1919-20 1923-24
Construction__. . . . . . . ______ . . . . . . . .
Food................. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lumber____________________ . . . . . . .
Metals and products...................... ....
Mines (not coal) and quarries_______
Municipal______________ . . . . . . . . . . .
Public service________. . . . ___ . . . ___
Unclassified..........................................
1
3
3
17
3
2
1
3
18
Total..........................................
30
*■ 31
1
9
4
2
5
16
66
12
2 I1
9
116
2
17
14
30
46
111
686
43
37
63
101
1,030
5
77
41
940
28
339
18
33
54
130
769
58
41
73
1,245
1,176
1,377
33
845
31
365
20
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS IN UNITED STATES
NEW HAMPSHIRE
In 1924 lumber and its products was most productive of fatalities
(5 cases) in New Hampshire. Textiles, though an industry of rela
tively low hazard, had 4 cases of fatality.
T a b l e 18*—N UM BER OF ACCIDENTS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE, 1924, BY
INDU STRIES
Fatal
Nonfatal
Total
accidents accidents accidents
Industry
Clay, glass, and stone___ ___________________ ____________ _____ ______
1
Construction.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ___ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . __ . . . . . . .
Food products............................................... ........................... . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Leather and products_______ . . . . _______ _____________ _______ . . . . . . __
Lumber and wood p roducts...............____ ___________ __ . . . . . . . . .
Mercantile............ ........ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . __. . . . . . . . . . . . . . __. . . . .. . .
Metals and products_______________________ ________ ____ ___ . . . . .
Paper ___ . . . . . . . . _. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . __ . . . . . . _. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Printing............................. . . . . . ________. . . ___________________ . . . . . . . .
Public service__ . . . . . . . . _________________ _____________ _____________
Textiles ____ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Unclassified____ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3
Total......................................................................................................
43
15
104
20
90
403
1
5
44
15
107
26
91
408
56
56
91
311
14
1
91
308
14
19
383
890
387
891
19
2,442
2,461
3
1
4
20
NEW JERSEY
In New Jersey in 1920 chemicals had the severest fatality (47)
while in 1921 and 1924 construction with 44 and 67, respectively,
was the chief cause of fatal injury.
T a b l k 1 9 . — N U M BER OF ACCIDENTS IN NEW JERSEY, YEARS ENDING JUNE 30, 1920
AN D 1921, BY INDUSTRIES
Fatal accidents
Industry
1920
1921
Chemicals__ _______ . . . . . . . . . __ ____
Clay, glass, and s t o n e ... ......... .....
Clothing____ . . . . . ____ ___ . . . . . . . . . .
Construction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Food products_______ _____________
Leather and leat her goods...................
Lumber and wood p r o d u c t s ..........
Metals and metal products...............
Mines (not coal) and quarries_____ _
Paper and paper p r o d u c t s ............
Printing and bookbinding___ ___
Rubber and composition g o o d s ..... .
Shipbuilding......... ...............................
Textiles_____ ____ ___ . . . . . . . . . . ____
U n c l a s s i f i e d .......................__
47
6
2
31
16
12
33
5
1
44
10
8
38
1
5
42
11
25
8
94
23
9
96
Total...........................................
285
282
| Nonfatal accidents
s
1924 ! 1920
i
39 < 1.708
8
414
93
67 i 5,965
7 i 381
8
586
2
31 :7.23i"
12 !
83
81
2'
65
3
5 2,792
6
269
98 ; 8,888
1921
1924
Total accidents
1920
1,326 1,943 1,755
420
349 1,011
95
348 1,324
6,951 11,492 5,996
397
529 1,816
598
277
676
993
5,22c" 9,276 7,269
434
84
215
154
417
86
91
65
67
726
374 ”2,817"
1,997
277
1,092 1,679
8,824 16,105 8,982
1921
1924
1,359
354
349
6,995
539
684
1,982
1,019
1,324
11,559
1,823
280
995
5,268
9,307
446
226
154
419
67
91
729
‘ 2,020”
379
1,101
1,685
8,920 16,203
283 28,556 27,754 47,958 28,841 28,036
48,241
NEW YORK
For some years the State of New York did not publish anything
regarding its accident experience. The latest published information
at the time of making this compilation is for the year 1923. Table
20 shows the distribution for that year. Naturally, construction, in
a State where great structures are being erected as nowhere else in
the country, leads in fatality (177), and public utilities and trans
portation comes next (164).
STATE ACCIDENT RECORDS— OKLAHOMA
21
TABLE 20 .—N U M BER OF ACCIDEN TS I IN NEW Y O R K , 1923, B Y INDUSTRIES
Accidents resulting inIndustry
Death
Agriculture.....................................
Chemicals.......................................
Clay, stone, and glass....................
Clothing.........................................
Construction...................................
Food................................................
Leather...........................................
Lumber and wood products..........
Mercantile (trade)..........................
Metals and products......................
Mines and quarries........................
Paper and products.......................
Printing..........................................
Public utilities and transportation
Rubber and composition goods___
Textiles...........................................
Unclassified.....................................
8
8
177
18
4
23
49
52
15
15
3
164
4
7
101
Total.....................................
Total
Perma T e m p o accidents
nent disa rary disa
b ility
bility
79
219
197
203
1,640
557
704
2,204
92
366
217
1,266
93
310
1,126
10,327
853
798
1,759
8,407
2,454
1,003
1,868
3,997
6,854
o il
1,204
807
9,543
335
1,1
47,189
353
1,081
1,003
1,970
10,230
3,029
1,247
2,699
4,750
9,110
618
1,585
1,027
10,973
432
1,475
6,496
58,078
1 Compensable oases.
OKLAHOMA
The constitution of Oklahoma is so framed that fatal accident
cases are excluded from the operation of the compensation law.
While in 1920 and 1921 a record of such cases was published, from
that time no record is available. In 1920 the oil and gas industry
had 36 fatal cases, coal mines 25, and metal mines 15.
Table 21 shows a total of 22,714 nonfatal cases. In 1924 the total
of nonfatal cases was 46,517, of which 22,187 were in the oil and
gas industry. It would appear that from whatever point this
industry is considered it is highly hazardous.
T a b l e 2 1 . — N U M BER OF ACCIDENTS IN OKLAHOM A, YEARS ENDINO AUGUST 31,
1920 A N D 1924, B Y INDUSTRIES
Aocidqnts in 1919-20 re
sulting in—
Industry
Death
Cement and products..............
Clay, glass, and stone. - ..........
Clothing....................................
Construction.............................
Food products...........................
Leather......................................
Lumber and wood products. . .
Mercantile................................
Metals and products................
Mines, coal___________ ____
Mines (not coal) and quarries.
Oil and gas................................
Paper and products..................
Printing and publishing..........
Public sevice.............................
Unclassified..............................
T ota l...
Perma Tempo
nent dis rary dis
ability
ability
1919-20
612
617
1,567
605
1,620
613
1,074
1,322
1,823
1,045
3,809
7,619
1,095
1,348
1,852
725
1,356
1 ,1 1 2
732
1,765
110
113
746
1,843
1,216
6,360
22,187
1
168
1,427
22,083
22,714
28
18
19
23
42
110
166
130
Total accidents
501
3,934
7,821
1923-24
137
959
18
5,039
589
1
4,231
46,517
22
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS IN UNITED STATES
OREGON
In 1920 Oregon worked out an exposure for each of the industrial
groups shown in Table 22. Where the exposure is equivalent to
2,000 or more full-year workers frequency and severity are shown.
The relations which appear between these rates emphasize again
the importance of both rates to an understanding of the accident
situation.
Of the 71,166 full-year workers which appear in the table, more
than a third (29.584) were engaged in logging and lumbering oper
ations. Of these logging had a fatality rate in 1920 of 6.93 cases
per 1,000 full-year workers. This may be compared with 3.62 in
coal mining for the whole country.
The severity rate for Oregon logging operations was 21.56, which
may be compared with 25.9 in the erection of structural steel in
that same year.
The operation of Oregon logging railways is more hazardous than
average railway operation for the United States as is indicated by a
fatality rate of 6.30 per 1,000 full-year workers, contrasted with
1.76 for railway trainmen. However, yard brakemcn on all steam
roads had a rate of 6.67.
Construction, with a severity rate of 9.11, is closely similar to
this industrial group wherever it has been possible to compute rates.
T ablf. 3 3 .—N U M BER OP ACCIDENTS IN OREGON, 1920, BY INDUSTRIES
Rates for industrial
* groups of 2,(MX) or over
Accidents resulting in—
Industry
Fullyear
workers
Construction.........................
Food and allied products........
Leather and rubber................
Lumber and its remanufacture
Logging.................................
Logging railways...................
1,681
165
160
819
10,063
4,376
255
17,524
9.520
2,540
4,129
1,72^
65
Paper and printing................
311
2, ‘589
Agriculture................................
Chemicals.............................
Clay, glass, etc..........................
Clothing. ..................................
Metals and metal products----Mercantile.................................
Mines, coal................................
Mines (not coal) and quarries..
Municipalities...........................
Public service...........................
Shipbuilding.............................
Textiles......................................
Unclassified...............................
Total............................
Death
13
1
4
16
l i
24 ;
fir, !
1:>i
m
30
4
331
144
34
45
6
2
3
4, '.'23
1.208
1
1 12
20
1. ot)7
7,227
71, l«B i
Perma Tempo
rary
nent
Total
disa
disa
bility bility
T!
144 i
17
4
47
6
34
122
27
60
21
1.670
741
25
3,836
1.979
247
1,022
89
22
214
19
401
142
1,009
114
627
12,387
135
23
04
22
1,798
772
29
4,191
2,189
297
1,069
95
24
237
22
418
151
1,062
Frequency! Severity
(per
(per
1,000,000
1,000
hours’
exposure)
hours'
exposure)
59. .*»
52. JO
72.72
76.65
38.97
86.31
* 9.11
2.94
i
!
j
!
10.36
21.56
20.24
5.67
58.33 j
2.30
‘“S.“82"|
*6.09
120
686
13,389
Table 23 summarizes the accident experience of a five-year period,
classified according to cause. The number and per cent of accidents
and of workdays lost from each 'cause are shown, the percentages
furnishing a comparison of the relative importance of each cause.
For example, machinery which causes 22.8 per cent of the cases is
responsible for 36 per cent of the loss of working time, while handling
objects, with 24 per cent of the cases, gives rise to only 7.1 per cent
of the lost time.
STATE ACCIDENT RECORDS— PENNSYLVANIA
23
T able 33.—N U M BER OF ACCIDENTS, AN D LOSS OF W ORKDAYS, IN OREGON, IN T HE
F IVE-YEAR PERIOD ENDING 1923, BY CAUSES
Accidents
Workdays lost
Cause
Number
Machinery..................................................... .
Falling and rolling objects..............................
Falls of workmen.......................................... .
Vehicles...........................................................
Handling objects........................................... .
Miscellaneous (including drownings)............
Using hand tools.......................................... .
Explosives, electricity, fires, hot substances.
Stepping on or striking against objects.........
Animals......................................................... .
Boilers................................... ....................... .
Per
cent
12,094
4,927
7,816
2,577
12,708
008
6,576
1,798
2,972
465
57
T o ta l...................... ............................
Number
22.8
9.3
14.8
4.8
24.0
1.9
12.4
3.4
5.6
.9
.1
2,437,181
999,166
936,671
657,292
479,665
378,969
365,184
281,517
84,968
84,413
59,177
1C0.0
6,764,203
Per
cent
14.8
13.8
9.7
7.1
5.6
5.4
4.2
1.3
1.2
.9
100.0
PENNSYLVANIA
Table 24 shows the accident occurrence in Pennsylvania and the
distribution thereof by industries each year from 1916 to 1924.
It so happens that the two largest industrial groups, metals and
products and coal mines appear side by side in the State tabulations,
which makes comparison easy. The metals group shows a very
substantial decrease in accidents while in coal mining the number
remains almost uniform. It would be a very natural inference that
conditions have improved in the metal industry while in coal mining
they have not changed greatly. It is known from other sources that
marked improvement has occurred in the metal industry and that
coal mining is definitely less hazardous, but unfortunately this con
clusion can not be verified from these Pennsylvania figures because
the exposure to hazard is not known.
T a b l e 3 4 .- -NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS IN PENNSYLVANIA, 1916 TO 1924, BY YEARS AN D
INDUSTRIES
Industry
1916
1917
1918
1919
1920
1921
1922
1923
Chemicals..............................
Clay, glass, and stone...........
Clothing............................. .
Construction.........................
Food.......................................
Leather and rubber...............
Lumber and its remanufac
tures....................................
Mercantile.............................
Metals and products.............
Mines (coal)...........................
Mines (not coal) and quar
ries......................................
Municipal..............................
Printing and publishing.......
Public sorvice........................
Textiles..................................
Beverages...............................
Hotels and restaurants-------Jobbers and warehouses____
Laundries..............................
Tobacco..................................
Other industries....................
5,918
7,179
2,037
15,146
5,101
2,329
3,435
7,012
1,652
13,384
4,300
1,939
3,039
4,727
1,107
9,190
2,991
1,424
2,274
4,242
916
8,209
3,219
1,655
2,633
5,736
1,211
12,920
3,318
1,930
2,295
4,128
1,310
10,830
3,549
lr566
2,360
5*558
1,517
13,047
4,015
1,773
3,061
6*669
1,869
16,038
4*624
1,934
2,623
5,999
1,440
16*260
4,700
1,452
4,955
4,798
95,986
52,537
4,433
4,129
75,131
55,128
3,118
3,150
2,888
2,970
57,134 40,558
50^249 44,067
3,593
3,854
49,793
47,787
2,782
4,203
24,561
50,756
3,491
4,527
32,719
36*613
4,253
5,732
44,475
59,882
4,216
4,482
47,488
54,449
2,420
983
3,514
30,571
3,888
1,682
1,125
1,637
436
197
7,177
2,354
1,258
2,534
37,553
3,145
1,453
968
1,244
347
187
6,204
1,634
968
1,878
32,625
2,209
877
669
840
233
136
6,826
1,589
1,173
2,369
28,916
2,344
477
712
1,296
161
216
2,951
1,514
1,935
1,982
20^547
2,417
512
738
1,291
181
225
2,875
2,001
2,665
2,318
23,905
2,290
2,781
2,922
32,299
3,543
494
979
1,602
275
276
4,437
2,160
2,576
2,604
18,272
2,709
305
1,119
1,236
242
325
2,973
Total............................ 255*616 227,880 184,844 152,544 174,979 140,197 146*255 m 435
177,539
1,446
1,026
1,897
26,025
2,084
689
583
1,064
153
142
6*257
*a
734
1,625
233
217
3,636
1924
24
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS IN UNITED STATES
Table 25 presents the causes of accident by industries for 1920 and
for 1924. It is of interest to note that the injuries in coal mines due
to falling bodies are very much in excess of those due to explosions
which from time to time furnish spectacular evidence of coal mine
hazards. The fact is that the day by day injuries from material
falling from roof or face aggregate, in the course of a year, the most
serious hazard in the mines. As a result the number of fatalities
in the State in 1924, from falling bodies (553) was exceeded only by
those from power vehicles (554).
TABLE 25*—N U M BE R OF ACCIDENTS IN PENNSYLVANIA, 1920 AND 1924, B Y INDUSTRIES AND CAUSES
Accidents due to specified cause—
Machinery
Handling tools
or objects
Power ve
hicles
Miscellane
ous
Total
1920
1924
1920
1920
1924
292
322
210
692
606
216
494
582
30
1,184 1,563
396
593
141
623
424
510
56
32
1,351 1,331
485
353
66
10,170 10,457 3,877
1,829 1,965 2,039
165
288
68
60
128
45
880
897
60
1,425
420 1,177
864 1,043
78
72
25
50
58
74
96
148
123
20
59
87
10
84
158
549
606
101
357
313
56
739
235
84
176
582
32
1,733
183
103
127
901
27
1,689
185
59
219
115
176
3,750 4,018 3,148
2,249 12,697 14,837
87
317
286
147
184
90
124
153
118
720 1,617
531
152
88
95
16
13
20
178
24
25
65
66
26
8
22
8
9
5
210
175
449
919
626 2,672
632
180
189
305
2,664 3,171 4*467
567
553 1,278
228
169
731
374
348 1,200
862 1,252
986
4,257 3,733
3,220 3,039 15,793
165
197
617
367
447
244
286
303
715
4,104 1,855 11,873
409
403
548
103
49
172
207
245
238
240
196
543
31
35
27
37
78
768
876
2,282
397
5,375
1,568
474
1,482
1,645
16,743
14,675
784
21,935 22,151
9,679 22,378 22,613 20,187 17,614 65,398 53,959 18,369 27,975 17,991 23,548 174,979
177,539
390
9,289
2,209
175,330
8,721
70
222
277
122
1924
1920
1924
1920
1924
152
152
435
390
494
369
659 1,091
18
145
25
171
826 1,843 2,897
633
207
349
207
699
54
31
248
211
284
561
147
130
872
416
553
336
2,016 3,805 4,597 5,852
7,704 12,713 4,505 4,971
151
137
193
167
723
224
80
93
317
3,763 5,924 7,938 2,796 3,045
607
95
308
321
57
41
110
26
14
416
10
101
145
134
463
119
146
38
8
16
18
9
13
70
6
42
164
1,010
193
727
373
200
1920
1924
2,633
5,736
2^623
5,999
1,440
16,260
4,070
1,452
4,216
4,482
47,488
54,449
2,169
2,576
2,504
18,272
1,211
12,920
3,318
l,r~
3,854
49,793
47,787
1,589
1,173
2,369
28,916
2,344
477
712
1,296
161
216
2,951
305
1,119
1,236
242
325
3,603
RECORDS— PENNSYLVANIA
1924
ACCIDENT
Total____ ________
Falls of
persons
1920
1920
Chemicals and allied products...
Clay, glass, and stone products..
Clothing manufacture_________
Construction__________________
Food products.............................
Leather and rubber goods______
Lumber and its remanufacture..
Mercantile................... - ..............
Metals and metal products.........
Mines, coal........... .......................
Mines (not coal) and quarries...
Municipalities.............................
Paper and printing____________
Public service_________________
TextilesLiquor and beverages___
Hotels and restaurants...
Jobbers and wholesalers..
Laundries______________
Tobacco_______________
Miscellaneous__________
1924
Falling ob
jects
Hot sub
stances
STATE
LhliBtry
DEGBEE OP INJURY
Fatal___
Nonfatal.
Permanent disability__________________
Temporary disability, compensable-----Temporary disability, noncompensable.
273
93
13,067
8,502
345
21*923
21
5,035
3,320
647
” l8
113,089
8,624
22,060
236
13
11,862
8,076
185
17,429
49
32,099
33,152
103
^3,866
758
"162"
10,514
6,995
554
27,421
171
21
7,615
10,184
196
2,528
317'
93,281
78,853
to
Oi
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS IN UNITED STATES
26
In Table 26 the accidents of 1924 are classified by industry. Coal
mines lead in fatal accidents with 932 cases, public service (374),
metals and metal products (264), and construction (217) coming next
in order.
T a b l e 8 6 .— NU M BER OF FATAL AND NONFATAL ACCIDENTS IN PENNSYLVANIA,
1924, BY INDUSTRIES
Fatal I Nonfatal; Total
accidents■accidents accidents
Industry
Chemicals and products............................
Clay, glass and stone products..................
Clothing......................................................
Construction and building.........................
Food and kindred products.......................
Laundries...................................................
Leather, rubber, and composition good3..
Lumber and its remanufacture.................
Mercantile..................................................
Metals and metal products........................
Mines, coal................................................
Mines (not coal) and quarries...................
Paper and printing...................................
Public service and transportation.............
Textiles.......................................................
Unclassified.............. .................................
r>i
57
3
217
19
1
9
26
40
264
932
34
15
374
18
150
2,572
5, yi2
1.438
16,043
4,051
241
1,443
4,190
4.442
47,224
53.517
2.135
2,489
17.898
2.691
9.014
2,023
5, UW
1,440
16,260
4,070
242
1,452
4.216
4.482
47,488
54,449
2,1*59
Total.................................................
2.200
175.330
177,539
2, 501
IS, 272
2, 709
9,161
WASHINGTON
In 1921 the State of Washington published an industrial accident
table which analyzed the accident experience of the State in consider
able detail, and this table is reproduced below as Table 27. It shows
127 deaths in logging, 48 deaths in the manufacture of lumber, 18
deaths in coal mines and 17 deaths in construction.
T a b l e 2 7 .— NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS IN WASHINGTON. YEAR ENDING SEPTEM BER
30. 1921, BY IN 1>USTKIES
Industry
]
i Accidciits resulting in—
i
!r — ---Total
!
Penua- ! Tempo- accidents
Death nent dis- \rary dis
ability i ability
Chemicals.......................................................................................
Clay................................................................................................ !I
Construction.................................................................................. !
Logging...........................................................................................I!
Lumber........................................................................................... !
Mercantile......................................................................................
Mines, coal..................................................................................... ;i
Mines, not coal.............................................................................. \i
Municipal....................................................................................... i
Paper.................... .......... ........................ ....................................J
Printing.......................................................................................... 1!
Public service................................................................................. :
Shipbuilding...................................................................................
T extiles ........................................................................................... ji
Unclassified.......................................................................... .
Total........................................................................... i
iI
1
1
17
3
127
48
2
9
IS
3
11
1
i
8
10
i
26
287
!
'!
!
i
i
3;
6i
140 :
99
462:
665 I
15 i
142 j
79 !
25 j
63 !
35 i
23 :
23
87 ;
20 '
82 !
1,969 ;
i
18
27
560
492
1,733
2,158
39
561
348
79
366
92
35
150
252
54
351
22
34
717
594
2,322
5,193
56
712
445
107
440
128
59
181
349
75
459
7,315
9,571
STATE ACCIDENT RECORDS— WISCONSIN
27
For 1924 the analysis is less extended, covering only the 4 indus
tries which in 1920 had the highest fatalities, namely, logging (211),
the manufacture of lumber (42), construction (32), and coal mines
(24).
T a b l e 28.—N U M BER OF ACCIDEN TS IN WASHINGTON (CLOSED CASES), B Y INDUS
TRIES, 1924
Fatal
Nonfatal
Total
accidents accidents accidents
Industry
Construction_______________________________________________________
Logging___ ____ ___________________________________________________
Mining (coal)_________ ________________ ______ _____ _________________
Sawmills___________________________________________________________
Miscellaneous_________________ _
__________
Total.
__
_
32
211
24
42
98
1,500
5,205
643
4,019
7,617
1,532
5,416
667
4,061
7,715
407
18,984
19,391
WEST VIRGINIA
Table 29 contains the 1924 accident experience of West Virginia.
Naturally coal mining is far in excess of any other industry both in
fatal (593) and nonfatal (12,152) cases. Other industries with large
numbers of fatalities are lumber (29), public service (25), construc
tion (24), and metal and products (21).,
T a b l e 29.—NU M BER OF ACCIDENTS IN WEST VIRGIN IA, Y E A R EN DING JUNE 30,
1924, BY INDUSTRIES
i
| Fatal |
; Nonfatal
Total
accidents accidents j accidents
Industry
Chemicals and products___________ ___________ ____ __ ______________
Clay products.____ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . _____ . . . . . . . . __ ___ . . . . . . . . . . ____
Construction______________________________ ______ ____ _____________
Food products________ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ______ ______________ ______
Metals and products_______ . . . ___________ ____ . . . . . . _____ . . . . . . __ __
Mines (coal)_________ ___ ___ _______________________________________
Mines (not, coai)________ _________________________________ __________
Paper and printing_____ . . . . . . . . . . . . __. . . . . . __________ . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Public service...__ ____ _____________________ ________________
___ ________________ _________________________________
Textiles
______
Unclassified____________________________ ____ ______________________
Total.......................................................................................................
2
3
24
5
29
21
593
377
2,503
2,347
391
1,691
7,122
12,152
465
316
1,450
339
379
2,505
2,371
396
1,720
7,143
12,745
472
316
25
4
16
1,455
1,471
729
30,608
31,336
1,475
343
WISCONSIN
In 1920 Wisconsin reported separately only five industries, which
appear in Table 30. The fatalities in these are in order, wood in
dustries 38, construction 30, metals and products 22, paper and
products 10, and mines and quarries 3.
The classification in 1922 to 1924 is more extended but does not
separate the fatal and nonfatal, but the figures are important because
they show so clearly the increase in number of accidents which
occurred between 1922 and 1923, the increase continuing in a lesser
degree into 1924.
28
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS IN UNITED STATES
The comment of the Wisconsin statistician on this increase is
significant: “ The increase in the number of cases in 1924 over the
number of cases in 1923 is by itself not an indication of a change in
the actual accident frequency rate for the industry. The employee
exposure factor for the two periods is lacking.” The essential char
acter of this “ employee-exposure factor” to the rational understand
ing of accident statistics can not be too often or too urgently asserted.
T a b l e 3<h— N U M BER OF A C C ID E N T S » IN WISCONSIN, 1020 TO 1924, B Y Y EA R S A N D
INDUSTRIES
1920: Accidcnts resulting
Total accidents
in—
Industry
Perma Tempo
Death nent dis rary dis
ability
ability
A g r ic u lt u r e ....................___ . . . . . . .
Chemicals..____ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Clay, glass, and stone___ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Construction_________ . . . . . . __ . . . . __ _
Food products........
Leather and rubber___. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lumber and products__ . . . . . . . . . . . . . ___
................ .
Mercantile
Metals and products..................................
Mines (not coal) and quarries______ . . . . .
Paper and paper products!___ . . . . . . . . . . .
Paper and p r i n t i n g . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
PuDlic servToe_____ ________ ___________
Textiles............. .
Wood i n d u s t r i e s ..... ........ ......... ....
U n c l a s s i f i e d . ........ ......... ........ ....
Total______ . . . . . ___ . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1920
1922
1923
271
212
170
2,517
1,144
550
2,865
275
263
233
2,993
1,256
791
30
174
1,510
1,714
22
3
10
.532
24
4,005
4,559
334
38
87
306
307
929
2,543
1,026
1,176
1,600
281
3,252
1,507
1924
400
209
266
3,734
1,450
596
4,584
1,528
2,372
438
2,447
1,361
1,183
515
1,208
1,813
216
2,104
296
258
7,921
2,682
3,800
3,549
18,441
16,705
20,941
22,766
2,887
2,049
> Compensable cases dosed.
The Wisconsin statistical organization has carried out a more
extended and elaborate study o f various accident problems than has
been attempted by any other State. Table 31 is a condensed pres
entation of the data regarding accident causes for the six-year period
1915 to 1920 and for 1924. In the six-year period machinery was
much the most important cause of death (232 cases), vehicles coming
next (176). Among machines hoisting apparatus exceeds any three
other causes. The nature of the disclosure by time losses is indicated
by the showing for machinery and handling. Machinery has 21,205
cases of injury and handling has 28,364, while the average time loss in
machine accidents is 221 days per case and that in accidents due to
handling is 63 days per case.
The indications from the data for the year 1924 are not materially
different from those of the 5-year period except that falls of persons,
with 32 cases of fatality, leads machinery, witji 29.
STATE ACCIDENT RECORDS— WYOMING
29
T a b l e 31.—N U M BER OF COMPENSABLE ACCIDENTS AND TIM E LOST T H E R E B Y, IN
WISCONSIN, 1915 TO 1920 AND 1924, BY CAUSES
Accidents resulting in-
Accident cause
Death
Total acci
Perma
dents
nent dis Temporary
disability
ability
Total days lost
1915- 1924 1915- 1924 1916- 1924 1915- 1924 1915-1920
1920
1920
1920
1920
Machinery......... ............ .........
Engines and motors______
Hoisting apparatus.......... .
Leather working.................
Metal working- .................
Punch presses..............
Paper..................................
Textiles...............................
Transmission____________
Woodworking___________
Saws...........................
Unclassified........................
Hot substances, electricity, etc.
Falling objects...........................
Falls of persons.........................
Handling objects and tools___
Vehicles...................................
Unclassified_____ . _____ . ____
232 29 3,991
9
68
108
11 385
1 165
2
1 1,439
24
2 . . . . . 545
7
204
1.....
55
31
83
25
7 1,164
12
4 547
25
3 428
151
18 185
152 10 283
160 32 303
80
12 1,225
176 20 256
103 34 525
Total................................ 1,054
978 16,982
13 660
84 2,728
43
585
280 5,111
85 762
47 1,271
13 389
20 428
328 4,125
169 1,824
150 1,685
37 5,382
73 7,405
125 10,869
451 27,059
92 5,108
133 8,809
3,331 21,205
59 737
556 3,221
96 752
864 6*574
113 1,809
189 1,482
79 445
89 542
776 5,314
427 2,383
623 2,138
880 6,718
1,183 7,840
2,818 11,332
7,572 28,364
1,578 5,540
3,360 9,437
4,338
72
651
140
1,145
198
238
92
113
1,111
600
776
935
1,266
2,975
8,035
1,690
3,527
1924
Aver
age
days
lost
per
case
19151920
4,691,400 912,463 221.24
118,068
13,190 160.20
1,105,672 148,237 343.27
122,342
34,604 162.69
1,106,139 200,970 168.26
329,358
62,055 251.61
225,843
58,375 152.39
80,795
13,007 181.36
318,566
42,312 587.76
1,053,719 272,431 198.29
522,735 133,839 219.36
560,256 129,337 262.05
1.279.182 175,842 223.71
1.423.182 145,122 181.53
1,695,767 365,071 149.64
1,781,827 507,995 62.82
1,524,010 252,719 275.09
1,402,689 423,944 148.64
155 6,768 1,889 81,614 20,722 89,436 22.76fill3.798.057 2,783,156 154.28
i
1
WYOMING
Coal mining in Wyoming, as wherever it is an important industry,
is a prolific source of casualty, there being 28 fatalities in 1920 and 55
in 1924. Oil and gas are next in order with 6 fatalities in 1920 and
21
in 1924. It is probable that the marked increase in fatalities in
1924 over 1920 is in considerable degree due to expansion of industry.
T a b l e 3 3 .— N UM BER OF ACCIDENTS IN W YOM ING, 1920 AND 1924, BY INDUSTRIES
Accidents resulting i n Industry
1920
Cement and products......................................
Clay, glass, and stone______________ _______
Construction________ ______ ______________
Food products__ —___ _____ _____ _________
Lumber and wood products_____. _________
Mercantile.........................................................
......................
Metals and
.................
products
Mines, coal.................................. . ......... .........
Mines (not coal) and quarries.........................
Municipal.........................................................
Oil and gas........................................................
Printing..____ _______ _____ _____ _________
Public service___ _________ _________. . . . . . .
U n cla ssified .........._____________________
Total__ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2063°—27----- 3
Permanent
disability
Temporary
disability
1924
1920
1924
1920
2
1
1
21
8
4
4
3
64
23
2
1
Death
1
2
2
1
1
28
2
55
1
6
21
7
1
41
1
1
10
88
158
1
43
8
6
124
31
72
1920
444
17
106
2
18
32
21
248
4
74
20
13
13
8
467
6
1
153
3
15
42
113
618
1,556
819
43
26
2
51
12
9
8
4
875
4
1924
i oiai
accidents
2
577
23
1924
9
6
149
34
74
a
S
675
491
21
272
1,757
30
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS IN UNITED STATES
SUMMARY OF STATE REPORTS, 1920 AND 1924
In Tables 33 to 36 an effort has been made to compare the State
accident data, by principal classification groups and by individual
States, for the years 1920 and 1924. In those cases where 1924 data
were lacking tne latest available data have been used. As already
noted, some of the States make no accident reports, and very few
classify their data at all completely.
CLASSIFICATION BY INDUSTRIES
Table 33 gives for the years 1920 and 1924, respectively, the num
ber of accidents for the States which classify their accidents according
to industry. An attempt has been made, with a fair degree of suc
cess, to use a uniform classification.
The 1920 compilation records 597,215 accident cases and the 1924
compilation 696,369. The States covered, however, are not abso
lutely the same. The 1920 compilation relates to 21 States, while the
1924 compilation covers only 20 States and includes the important
State of New York which was not included in 1920. Therefore, no
inference can be drawn that the increase in accident cases represents
an increasing hazard. On the whole, indeed, this table gives no
definite answer to the question, “ Is accident hazard increasing?”
Nor can an answer be expected until the factor of employee exposure
is more exactly known than is at present the case.
It is much to be desired that other compensation States should
classify their accident cases in accordance with the comparatively
simple classification here used, and particularly is it a matter of regret
that the important State of Ohio must be omitted in these compila
tions because of the lack of such a classification.
T a b l e 3 3 .— N U M BE R OF ACCIDENTS IN SPECIFIED STATES IN 1920 AND 1924, i B Y INDUSTRIES
California
Industry
Ala Ark
bama. ansas,
19222
1920
Idaho *
Jan. 1
to
1920 June 1920
Indiana
Kansas
1924
1920
1923
1920
1921
1920
1924
Unclassified____________
Total.
1920
1923
1920
8,313
5,274 2,443
477
229
563 1,160 4,977 3*549
3,190 4,637 2,452 2,112
454
427
506
696
'§,'579 1,982 2,636 3,355 2,274
9941 1,343 1,428
770
179
216
47 j
163 1,294 2,147
1,259
810
228
508 6,115 7,819
714
978 1,814 2,511 1,300 1,218 2,584 13,651 9,555 1,638
90* 5,96811,573
873
409
235
77
1691
422
224
184
196
206
118
1,040
2,115
113
8
886
207
2,300
1,058
1,057
143
1/
965 2,166 1,176 1,272
13,881 12,807 17,101 8,683
13,249 14,599 4,222 4,851
65 ‘4,721 3*789 1,210 2,875
437
168
477
698
231
32
550
31
7,181 3,452
419
447
9,132
4,288
305
1,088
554
2
137
273
130 17,753 14,938
327
618
609
705
825
248
791 2,671 3,277 4,843
9C0 1,5
103,
192
6
19
196
339
88
100
586
781
72
631
841
444
490
345
406
431
79
85
41
335
316
335
878 4,145 • 2,494 2,541 5,032 6,518
1,242 1,338
34
1,944 2,353
5,769 1,420 70,405 44,397 5,086 11,961 50,585 61,81042,994 34,396
45
138
285
38
1922
19151920
1920
98
128
267
51
1,306 2,136
18
284 1,436 2,079 2,014 1,611 1,308 1,211
134
210 262 4,664 3,631
57
102 865 2,174 2,294 1,471 1,050 1,747
54
1
315
611 3,135
1,969
"841 18,710
109
130
769
58
576
102
175
330
154
136
5,036 9,333 2,973 3,156
» Where 1924 data were cot available, the latest available data are given.
* Compensable eases.
19204 1924 4
309!
112
348
211
167
2,790 1,605 5,009
168 2,041 2,072
208
159
718
762
204
530 1,731 8,322 3,535
246
133
265
130
131
115
130 11,246 10.054
126
64
761 1,617 7,563 14,704 1,713 2,584
7
955
REPORTS
Textiles_________________
1924
STATE
Oil and gas.................... .
Paper and products.........
Printing and publishing.
Public service...................
Shipbuilding................. -
1920
OP
Mercantile___________ ___ __
Metals and metal products___
Mines, coal...............................
Mines (not coal) and quarries.
Municipal.................................
120
Minnesota4
189
281
292
148
91
1,104
156
1* 8
916 1,457 1,614
581
746
135
196
713 1,724 3,713 5,251 2,731 3,056
62
52
7
340
4,286
2,018
735
233
8,327
chusetts
SUMMARY
Food products (including beverages)
Leather and rubber.......................
Lumber and its remanufacture...
Lumber: Logging..........................
Lumber: Logging railways...........
2
Maryland
Mon
tana, Neva*
da,
30,
1924 s
Agriculture..................
Chemicals....................
Clay, glass, and stone.
Clothing......................
Construction............... .
Kentucky
73
10,974 16,155 28,133 6,694 13,919 65,488 64,890 12,73810,657 31,314 1,176
>Tabulatable accidents.
* Compensation claims allowed.
• Claims filed.
* Indudes shipbuilding.
09
T a b l e 3 3 . — N U M B E R OF ACC ID E N TS IN SPECIFIED STATES IN 1020 AN D 1924, BY INDUSTRIES-Continued
New Jersey
Industry
Ne Newvada, Hamp1924 shire,
1924
Ore
gon,
1920
1920
41
365
Total..........................................
1,377
! 2,817
419 1,585
91 1,027
10,973
379
7,821 22,187
1
113
168
746 1,427
387jj 277 1,685 1,475
891: 8,982 16,932 6,496 1,843 4,368
74;
20;
13!!
1
1
1
13:
8
467
6
1
1920 « 1924 •
com com
pila pila
tion
tion
5,354 4,100
9,390 10,034
6 12,443 17,696
2,818 6,522
149 54,337 84,175
34 26,881 27,827
9,477 9,624
74 39,979 38,602
5*416
17,245 26,938
2 129,629 120,578
675 77,372 104,203
24 30,360 20,947
2,272 3,157
153;
418 2,369 2,504
151 28,916 18,272
1,062
120 2,344
666| 5,336
2,709
6,525
40
137
306
183
442
641
475 2,943
128
59
181
349
316 1,026 1,183
1,475
2,049
75
343
258
459 *7,'715 1,471 7,921 3,549
2,461 28,841 48,241 58,078 22,714 46,517 13,389|l74,979 177,539 2,724 17,189 9,571 19,391 31,336 18,441 22,766
491 9,216 24,919
5,794 7,685
3i
5,944 6,256
15|
21 59,682 54,024
8,516
933
i----I
15,754 18,218
42| 281 68,752|104,515
819| 1,757 597,215 696,369
i
* Compensable cases.
« Compensation claims allowed.
i Compensable cases dosed.
•Indudes also data for Montana for 1915 to 1920 and for South Dakota, Tennessee, and Washington for 1921.
•Includes also data for Indiana for 1921, for Alabama and Minnesota for 1922, for Illinois, Massachusetts, and New York for 1923, and for California for first six months of 1924.
STATES
Textiles___________ . . . __ ______ . . . .
Unclassified.________ _____ '_______
86
65
56
1,526
712
7 , i « 4,559 2,447
445 ""667 12,745
334
515
107
472
440
4
1924
UNITED
31
400
375
22
379
209
504
34
2,505
266
67!
717 1,532 2,371 1,714 3,734
501 1,366
i
594
1,450
630 1,481
396
295
596
47 3,005 5,193 4,061 1,720 2,887 4,584
2,322 5,416
1920
102
56
4,750 1,348 1,356
j 3,854 4,482
59 1,229
91! 7.269 9,307 9,110 1,852 2,103 i .o d 49.793 47,488;
45 2,885!
!
24| 47,787 54,449:
1,256
1,112 1,216
237! 1.589 2.
! 688 211
84
446 618 3,934 6,360
1 1.173 2.57fi:_____
311
14
20
1924
Total
IN
940
Wisconsin7 Wyoming *
West
Vir
ginia,
1924 1924 1920
ACCIDENTS
Oil and gas________ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Paper and products____________ . . . .
Printing and publishing___________
Public service._________. . . . . . . . . __
Shipbuilding........................................
1924
353
135
1,755 1,982 1,081
28 2,7)33 2,623
420i 1.019! 1.003
44
617 959
64 5,736 5,999
95; 1,324! 1,970
15
18
22 1,211 1,440
107 5.9&&11. 559 ML230 *1,620 5,039 1,798 12,920 16,260
1
j
26
397 1,823 3,029
613 589
772 3,795 4,375
1
91
598
29 1,930 1,452
280 1,679
408
995 2,699 1,095
725 4,191 3,593 4,216
2,189
297|1____ _
Food products_____________ _____ _
Leather and rubber...................... ......
Lumber and its remanufacture_____
Lumber: Logging. _______ _________
Lumber: Logging,railways . . . . . . . . .
Mercantile........... ........................ . . . .
Metals and metal products_________
Mines, coal......................... ................
Mines (not coal) and quarries.. . . . . .
Municipal_____________________ . . .
New
York,
1924 19232 1920
South Tenn
Da
kota, essee,
1924 1921 1921 1921
INDUSTRIAL
Agriculture____ ___________________
Chemicals________________________
Clay, glass, and stone______________
Clothing_________________________
Construction..____________ ____ __
1920
Washington
Pennsylvania
Oklahoma
SUMMARY OF STATE REPORTS
33
CAUSE OF INJURY
In the 1920 compilation there were 18 States whose accidents were
recorded according to a cause classification. The number of the
accidents so classified was 714,023.
For 1924 such a classification could be made for 17 States and
four others were available for the years 1922 and 1923. The total
accident cases for 1924 so classified are 647,495 and for 1922 and
1923 are 190,547, making a grand total of 838,042 for the later
period.
The handling of tools and objects gives rise to the greatest number
of accidents shown in Table 34, there being a total of 472,805 cases
in the two periods. Machinery comes next, with a total of 294,951.
In this table hoisting apparatus is considered as a form of machinery.
Not giving cranes and other hoisting and carrying apparatus a
separate classification tends to obscure the continued importance of
machinery as a cause of accident. If it were possible to show these
cases on a severity basis the high importance of machinery as an
industrial hazard would be still more strikingly evident.
TABLE 34.—NU M BE R OP ACCIDENTS IN TH E SPECIFIED STATES, 1920 AND 1924, B Y
CAUSE OF INJURY
Accidents due to specified cause
State
Han
Hot
Ma
Falls of dling Vehi Unclas Total
sub Falling
chinery stances
objects persons tools or cles
sified
objccts
1920
California.........
Idaho»_______
Illinois K______
Indiana_______
Kentucky *----Massachusetts.
Minnesota1—
New Jersey.8. . .
North Dakota..
Ohio.................
Oregon..............
Pennsylvania..
Tennessee4___
Vermont..........
Washington
Wisconsin_____
Wyoming *.......
T o ta l....
i Compensation claims allowed.
* Compensable cases only.
* Data for year ending June 30,1921.
* Data for 1921.
8,410
495
7,240
1,101
1,232
1,036
15,307
2,475
2,986
173
79,043
2,079
21,935
675
971
1,615
3,986
91
4,283
9,465
5,688
752
116 1,471
5,799
2,928 8,204
6,187
1,856
5,384
625
842 3,820
395
1,150
1,087
3,029
9,176
2,412
1,769
603
1,088
1,014
2,424
M 46
74
114
148
8,417
12,442
6,404
431
1,335
1,888
8,721 22,378 20,187
1,302
2,877
3,009
200 2,057
669
278
1,865
1,588
1,063
986
1,826
53
273
95
151,750 39,553
74,832
6)867 11,247
24,445
70,405
588
4,957
1,313
222
9,455
50,585
12,276 4,683
9,304
8,792
1,772
34,396
3,903
5,733
16,155
6,694
1,284 ’ “"588" 1,154
4,149
7,484
65,488
23,931
1,170 : 12,738
1,351
4,282
4,609 . 28,036
2,905
7,652
147
177 1 1,331
498
4,391 13,722 182,970
58,551
13,389
4,755
769
1,232
65,398 18,369 17,991 174,979
465 6,195
17,189
2,666
8,080
2,613
1,544
26
843
9.571
2,824
558
577 2,565
16,248
5,245
70
812
74
156
74,308 232,926
47,913
92,741
714,023
34
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS IN UNITED STATES
T a b l e 34*—N UM BER OF ACCIDEN TS IN THE SPECIFIED STATES, 1920 AND 1924, BY
CAUSE OF INJURY—Continued
Accidents due to specified cause
State
Han
Hot
Ma
Falls of dling
sub Falling
chinery stances
objects persons tools or
objects
1924
Alabama8. ...........................................
Arizona •....................................... ......
California K.........................................
Illinois»...............................................
Kansas.................................................
Kentucky............................................
Maryland 8..........................................
Massachusetts *_..................................
Minnesota...........................................
New Hampshire..................................
New Jersey..........................................
New York 10........................................
North Dakota11...................................
Ohio » ..................................................
Oklahoma............................................
Pennsylvania......................................
Tennessee.............................................
Utah.....................................................
Vermont M..........................................
West Virginia»....................................
Wisconsin -m.........................................
764
88
7,216
5, T.98
1.292
(32
2,147
11, sot>
1,015
fi04
8.708
11,28(1
tW
57.744
1, .340
22. ir>i
2,077
1,510
1,379
1,408
4,338
Total.......................................... 143,201
1
792
52
3,170
3,652
650
671
647
2,926
649
55
1.393
2,646
94
8,794
1,852
7.720
1,066
1,001
339
1,985
1,018
Vehi Unclas Total
cles
sified
531
115
4,701
14.775
2,572
3,790
4,554
8,936
2,057
974
8,595
7,010
322
16,680
25,393
18,902
5,772
1,331
1,731
10,655
3,082
5,768
927
44,397
61,810
10,974
28, m
13,919
64,890
15,681
2,461
48,218
58,078
1,809
162,044
46,517
177,539
21,364
14,200
10,507
26,039
22,766
79,284 143,168
838,012
894
427
1,452
909
355
77
86
154
3,259
5,098
5,898 15,057
11,940
3,791
7,508 14,486
727
893 3,272
1,568
1.567
7,631
1,274
13,068
1,191
1,551
1,215
2,614
9,219 24,304
3,651
4,548
1,184
2,778
1,324
5,774
92
260
404
72
11,413
2,750
3,096 12,263
3,881
9,217 18,785
4,653
137
630
215
213
9,838
8,221 54,141
6,626
6,762
2,577
ft. 198 2,395
22,613 17,614 53,033 34,480
5,317
3,099
3,070
963
4,353
2,753
1,856
1,396
799 3,258
3,001
1,433
3,994
6,564
1,628 I 2,075 " 8,035" 1,0»0
41,172 111, 133
80.305 239,879
i Compensation claims allowed.
* Data for 1922—compensable oases only.
* Data for mines only.
7Data for first six months of 1924.
* Data for 1923—compensable cases.
* Compensation claims filed—data does not include 13 fatal cases.
10 Data for 1923—compensable cases only.
11 Compensation claims filed.
» Data does not include self-insured.
u Data does not include 43 fatal cases>
Compensable cases closed.
NATURE OF INJURY
In the 1920 compilation 12 States were found to have classified
their accidents by the nature of the injury. For 1924, 6 States had
such a record and for 1923 such classified data were available for
3 States.
The figures in the groups “ Bruises” and “ Cuts, lacerations and
punctures,” taken together, are much in excess of those in all others.
Several States do not indicate the nature of the injury in fatal
cases. There seems to be no good reason for this omission.
SUMMARY OF STATE REPORTS
35
T able 35 .—N U M BER OF ACCIDENTS IN SPECIFIED STATES, 1920 AND 1924, B Y NATURE
OF INJURY
Accidents, classified by nature of Injury
Cuts,
lacera
IBruises tions,
and
punc
tures
State
Ampu phyxi-i
tations atiGns
Frac
tures
Sprains i
and . Unclasdisloca-j silled Total
tions !
i
1020
California......... .
Idaho »...............
Illinois *............ .
Indiana..............
Kentucky 1____
Maryland 1____
Massachusetts..,
Minnesota_____
Montana............
Pennsylvania__
Tennessee *____
Wyoming»........ .
Total.
1,286
24
2.156
622
256
803
1,538
313
1,566
185
8,338
145 ; 17,987
130 1,280
043 ; 12,344
8.765
477 2,153
536
1,309
—“ I -,147 16,907
26
625 3,773
1.560
287 I 11,
7i; 128
........ I 1, 233 ! 4,076
so: 4412
20,232
2,144
16,287
6,351
3,275
1,075
21,819
3,446
1,586
51,006
5,837
12,549
624
7,204
3,980
1,191 1,194
876
.655
4,357 11,305
2,288
1,822
429
465
14,816 20.682
003
1,440
184 !
84
7,566
261
3,674
9,997
1,044
1,851
8,415
445
752
3,025
3,515
52
70,403
5,129
50,585
34,396
9,590
6,694
65,488
12,738
4,914
174,979
17,189
812
333 i 26,008 jl41,694 133,958
42,045 ! 61,968
38,597
452,919
1,813
4,810
626
1,545
7,137
373
2,446
1,310
1,327
44,397
61,810
28,133
21,387
316,711
(»)
7,641
657
5,877
2,790
1024
California
Illinois»___
Kentucky.
Maryland 8
Minnesota*__
New York 10~_
Vermont M___
"Washington
Total...
1,052
2,282
124
387
1,430
153
20
‘ 107“
539
5,967
127
2,403
3,359
592
770
2,846
663
3,044
351
419
I 11,140
i 18.749
! 18,638
i 3,767
, 15,959
j 5,172
i»16,963
i 4,348
5,667
14,456 ;100,403
j 13,328
5,713
I 15,272
7,614
i 6,242
506
1,188
! 4,016
19,970 4,738
4.284
2.416
<22,427 “ 13,193
J,277 f
3.170
5,535
94,244
8,948
9,724
1,405
2,122
12,810
<2,513
"M
39,918 ; 40,209
15,681
58,078
10,507
19,391
i Compensation claims allowed.
* Compensable cases.
* Data for 1921.
4 Including cuts, lacerations, and puncturos.
» Included under “ Bruises.”
* Data for first 6 months of 1024—tabular-able cases.
i Data for 1923.
* Data does not include 95 fatal cases.
* Closed cases.
i®Data for 1923—compensated case3.
ii Includes sprains.
i* Includes amputations and dislocations.
» Data does not include 43 fatal cases.
LOCATION OP INJURY
Table 36 records the accident experience of certain States in the
matter of location of injury. The 1920 compilation covered 11 States
and 460,534 cases and the 1924 compilation 10 States with 341,099
cases.
The location of injury has no great significance from an accidentprevention standpoint except as regards eye injuries. It can not, of
course, be assumed that because there are instances where the adop
tion of protective measure has been followed by the reduction of eye
injuries to zero the same result can always be secured. It must,
however, be strongly suspected that the major portion of the 48,502
injuries to the eyes recorded in this table were needless. It may also
be urged that some progress has been made when it is noted that the
earlier compilation records 29,663 cases and the later 18,839. If this
change represents, as it very well may, a larger use of protective de
vices, there is hope that eye injuries may ultimately cease altogether.
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS IN UNITED STATES
36
As might be anticipated, the upper extremities are most often
damaged, there being shown a total of 333,195 such cases. It is quite
certain that an examination of these cases from the standpoint of
severity would show other locations with greater severity rates.
T a b l e 3 6 . — N U M BE R OF ACCIDENTS IN SPECIFIED STATES, 1920 A ND 1924, BY LOCA
TION OF INJURY
Accidents, classified by location of injury
State
Head,
face, and
neck
1920
California....................................
Idaho1........................................
Illinois3......................................
Indiana *.....................................
Kentucky....... ............... ..........
Maryland1.................................
Massachusetts............................
Minnesota...................................
Oklahoma..................................
Pennsylvania..............................
Wyoming1.................................
Total................................. i
1924
Arizona.......................................
California4.................................
Idaho...........................................
Illinois8......................................
Kentucky...................................
Maryland...................................
Massachusetts •..........................
New York...................................
Oklahoma...................................
Vermont •...................................
Total................................. j
i Compensable cases.
* Compensation claims allowed.
Eyes
Trunk
Upper ex Lower ex Unclassi
tremities tremities
fied
Total
29,469
1,970
22,752
13,498
7,113
2,603
31,667
5,681
9,071
64,862
254
19,741
1,545
14,926
9,783
4,352
2,070
17,091
3,551
5,202
52,931
307
2,031
80
240
3,446
434
3,084
11,597
13
9,937
725
7,401
4,103
2,949
557
8,570
2,487
2,747
30,235
102
34
70,405
5,136
50,585
84,396
16,587
6*694
65,488
12,738
22,714
174,979
812
29,663
69,813
188,940
131,499
6,513
460,534
88
61
2,659
2,345
8il
996
2,623
3,708
2,570
1,166
552
490
6,284
2,461 ” ’ ’ i,’ 5i9‘
6,109
2,967
698
1,812
117
6,980
1,802
9,717
3,352
2,007
11,933
8,791
4,435
935
365
18,086
4,574
27,918
13,213
6,088
29,187
27,665
12,200
4,959
18,839
50,069
144,255
4,023
423
3.007
2,390
2,173
394
3,645
527
2.008
15,354
102
34,10G
21,030
5,204
393
2,439
2,813
3 Data for 1921.
1,809
830
1,069
58
602
260
46
12,551
1,776
3,467
311
17,844
7,796 .......... 36"
4,196
586
17,486
2,322
15,320
8,043
12,763
2,103
89,066
17,840
887
44,397
11,961
61,810
28,133
13,919
64,890
58,078
46*517
30,507
341,099
* Data for 1923.
4 Data for first 6 months of 1924. * Data does not include fatal cases.
STEAM RAILWAYS
The Interstate Commerce Commission publishes at regular
intervals accident bulletins giving very detailed information regard
ing the accident experience of American steam railways. The data
in the tables which follow are derived from these bulletins.
Table 37 presents summary figures showing the number killed and
injured during the period from 1888 to 1924. For no other Ameri
can industry has accident experience been recorded for so long a
time with equal completeness.
The greatly lessened hazard is shown very conclusively by the
figures for passenger casualty. The peak of passenger fatality was
in 1907 when 610 were killed. The high year for passenger injuries
was 1913 with 15,130 cases. From this point there has been an
irregular decline until 1924, when 153 passengers were killed and
6,023 injured.
The data for employees show the peak of fatality (4,534) also in
1907, the peak of injury (176,923) being in 1916. By 1924 fatalities
had declined to 1,479 and injuries to 124,655.
37
STEAM RAILWAYS
The peak for “ other persons” was in 1913, with 6,899 killed and
13,761 injured.
If the data for recent years could be put on a rate basis the decline
in casualty would be much more striking.
T a b l e 37 .—N U M BER OF PASSENGERS, EM PLOYEES, AND OTHER PERSONS KILLE D
OR INJURED IN REPORTABLE STEAM RA ILW A Y ACCIDENTS OF ALL KINDS IN
THE UNITED STATES, 1888 TO 1924, B Y YEARS i
Passengers
Employees
Other persons
Total
Year ending—
Killed Injured Killed Injured Killed Injured
June 30,1888..................................
June 30, 1889..................................
Juno 30,1890..................................
June 30,1891..................................
June 30,1892..................................
June 30,1893..................................
June 30,1894..................................
June 30,1895..................................
June 30, 1896................................ .
June 30,1897................... ..............
June 30,1898......... .......................
June 30,1899............ .....................
June 30, 1900..................................
June 30,1901.............. ..................
June 30,1902..................................
June 30,1903..................................
Juno 30,1904___ _____ ...__ . . . . . .
June 30,1905..................................
June 30, 1906..................................
Juno 30, 1907..................................
June 30,1908..................................
June 30,1909..................................
June 30,1910.................................
June 30,1911..................................
June 30,1912................... .............
June 30,1913.................................
June 30,1914..................................
June 30,1915..................................
June 30,1916..................................
Dec. 31,1916..................................
Dec. 31,1917..................................
Dec. 31,1918..................................
Dec. 31,1919..................................
Dec. 31,1920..................................
Dec. 31,1921..................................
Dcc. 31,1922..................................
Dec. 31, 1923..................................
Dec. 31, 1924..................................
315
310
286
293
276
299
324
170
181
222
221
239
249
282
345
355
441
537
359
610
381
253
324
299
283
350
232
199
239
246
301
471
273
229
205
200
143
153
2,138
2,146
2,425
2,972
3,227
3,229
3,034
2,375
2,873
2,795
2,945
3,442
4,128
4,988
6,683
8,231
9,111
10,457
10,764
13,041
11,556
10,311
12,451
12,042
14,938
15,130
13,887
10,914
7,488
7,152
7,582
7,316
7,456
7,591
5,584
6* 153
6,463
6*023
2,070
1,972
2,451
2,660
2,554
2,727
1,823
1,811
1,861
1,693
1,958
2,210
2,550
2,675
2,969
3,606
3,632
3,361
3,929
4,534
3,405
2,610
3,382
3,602
3,635
3,716
.3,259
2,152
2,687
2,941
3,199
3,419
2,138
2,578
1,446
1,648
1,940
1,479
20,148
20,028
22,396
26,140
28,267
31,729
23,422
25,696
29,969
27,667
31,761
34,923
39,643
41,142
50,524
60,481
67,067
66,833
76,701
87,644
82,487
75,006
95,671
126,039
142,442
171,417
165,212
138,092
160,663
176,923
174,247
156,013
131,018
149,414
104,530
116*757
151,960
124,655
2,897
3,541
3,598
4,076
4,217
4,320
4,300
4,155
4,406
4,522
4,680
4,674
5,066
5,498
5,274
5,879
5*973
5.805
6,330
6,695
6,402
5,859
5,976
6,495
6,667
6,899
6*811
6,270
6,438
6,814
6,587
5,396
4,567
4,151
4,345
4,477
5,302
4,985
Killed Injured
3,602
5,282
4,135
6,823
4,206
6,335
4,769
7,029
5,158
7,147
5,435
7,346
5,433
6*447
5,677
6,136
5,845
6,448
6,269
6,437
6*859
6,176
6,255
7,123
6*549 7,865
7,209
8,455
7,455
8,588
9,840
7,841
7,977 10,046
9,703
8,718
10,241 10,618
10,331 1 11,839
10,187 !i 10,188
10,309
8*722
11,385 9,682
12,078 10,398
12,158 10,585
13,761 10,964
13,563 10,302
8,621
13,034
12,224 9,364
12,647 10,001
12,976 10,087
11,246 9,286
10,579
6,978
11,304
6,958
10,571
5,996
6,325
11,961
13,289
7,385
13,061
6,617
25,888
26,309
29,027
33,881
36,652
40,393
31,889
33,748
38,687
36,731
40,882
44,620
50,320
53,339
64,662
76,553
81,155
86,008
97,706
111,016
104,230
95,626
119,507
150,159
169,538
200,308
192,662
162,040
180,375
196,722
194,805
174,575
149,053
168,309
120,685
134,871
171,712
143,739
1 Figures for years 1911 to 1915 include industrial and other nontrain accidents to employees only; and
for years 1908 to 1910 do not cover switching and terminal roads; otherwise, the statement covers all reportable accidents.
Table 38 shows for the years 1917 to 1924 a summary of (rain and
train service accidents for various classes of persons.
T a b l e 3 8 . — ACCIDEN TS ON STEAM R A ILW A YS OF ALL CLASSES IN THE UNITED STATES, 1917 TO 1924, BY YEARS A N D CLASSES OF PERSONS
INJURED
1917
1919
1918
1921
1920
1922
1924
1923
Class
Silled Injured Sailed Injured Killed Injured Killed Injured Killed Injured Killed Injured Killed Injured Killed Injured
133
2,420
193
2,465
89
2,077
72
2,409
123
2,179
2,948
73
2,357
139
2,705
105
2,674
195
2,852
90
2,466
170
2,683
4,243
3,829
3,255
2,805
2,553
2,658
2,166
2,368
% 481
3,071
2,430
2,844
2,779
3,047
2,556
2,853
Employees on duty:
Trainmen...................... .......................... 1,492
Other employees................................... . 1,124
Employees not on duty........................... ......
m
Passengers................................... ............ .....
301
42
Persons carried under contract.....................
Other nontrespassers........................... ......... 2,200
47,887
4,349
544
7,582
762
1,606
1,153
169
471
48
1,995
42,944
4,017
595
7,316
760
5,701
984
709
66
273
28
1,882
32,844
3,436
321
7,456
691
5,195
1,265
842
91
229
35
1,867
42,840
4,080
314
7,591
865
5,728
658
438
41
205
21
1,743
25,968
2,556
223
5,584
560
5,362
719
522
57
200
25
1,898
29,311
2,880
243
6,153
651
5,907
937
625
82
138
21
2,339
36,195
3,281
258
5*847
674
7,162
672
520
54
149
20
2,244
29,224
2,950
227
5,354
557
7,206
Total non trespassers.............. .............. 5,324
67,141
5,442
61,339
3,942
49,943
4,329
61,418
3,106
40,253
3,421
45,145
4,143
53,417
3,669
45,518
Grand total______ _________________ 9,567 j 70,970
8,697
64,144
6,495
52,601
6,495
63,786
5,587
43,324
5*851
47,989
6,922
56,464
6,215
48,371
Total trespassers........................
189
NONTRESPASSERS
5,987
Nontrain accidents
418
102
121,467
2,308
491
98
108,457
1,974
379
104
94,417
2,035
380
83
102,180
2,343
309
100
75,783 !
1,578 j
359
115
84,763
2,119
381
82
112,944
2,304
297
105
92,918
2,450
Total_____________________________
520
123,835
589
110,431
483
96,452
463
104,523
409
77,361
474
86,882
463
115,248
402
95,368
STATES
I
Employees not concerned with operation
of trains.......................................... ............
Other persons.................................................
UNITED
98
2,707
IN
74
3,181
ACCIDENTS
207
3,622
149
Employees......................................................
Other persons................................................ 4,094
INDUSTRIAL
Train and train service accident*
TRESPASSERS
STEAM RAILWAYS
39
CASUALTIES TO TRAINMEN ON CLASS I RAILROADS,4 1916 TO 1924
Table 39 is drawn from Accident Bulletin No. 93 of the Interstate
Commerce Commission (p. 112). The table has been rearranged to
permit comparisons which are somewhat difficult to make in the
original form. The rates have also been recalculated on the basis of
1,000,000 hours’ exposure rather than of 1,000 men employed. This
renders them fairly comparable with rates computed for other
industries. It is an important step toward general comparability
that the Interstate Commerce Commission has in recent years
required exposure to be reported in terms of man-hours.
The table is of particular interest in view of recent discussion
of the question “ Are accidents increasing?” In the course of such
discussion it has become quite evident that our accident statistics
are as yet neither sufficiently extended nor sufficiently precise to
make possible a general answer to this question. There is a strong
tendency to draw conclusions from current experiences, and if the
present year shows higher rates or greater cost than the preceding
year to suspect that this is an indication of a general tendency.
The showing of the railway accident statistics is accordingly
important because they have been kept long enough and are of such
a degree of accuracy as to justify regarding their indications as de
pendable. They afford an opportunity for testing the immediate
impression by the trend disclosed by a longer interval.
In this case, as always, the really informative figures are those of
rates for fatality and for injury. If the number of trainmen, of
fatalities, and of injuries be considered separately it will be difficult,
if not impossible, to see clearly wliat the figures indicate. It is only
when it is possible to unite the exposure with the number of cases or
with the loss of time expressed in days and so to produce frequency
or severity rates that- the significance becomes evident. In this
railway group it is not possible to determine severit3r rates.
The following observations regarding accident frequency on the
railroads are suggested by inspection of the tables:
1. There was a marked drop from 1916 to 1924, this downward
tendency being evident in each of the occupational groups. The
fatality frequency for all trainmen declined 49 per cent and the
injury frequency 40 per cent.
2. There are two years during the period— 1920 and 1923—in
which there was a decided upward tendency as compared with the
preceding years. For all trainmen fatalities rose 19 per cent from
1919 to 1920 and 14 per cent from 1922 to 1923. Rates for injury
rose 23 per cent from 1919 to 1920 and 9 per cent from 1922 to 1923.
3. As a rule there was a drop from 1916 to 1920 and a further drop
from 1920 to 1923.
4. In fatalities the lowest rates are found in 1924, while the lowest
year in injuries is 1921.
These figures are quite conclusive that whatever may be true of
other industries, American railways have maintained a successful
fight against conditions which tend toward increased accident rates.
4 Class I roads are those roads whose annual operating revenues are above $1,000,000.
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS IN UNITED STATES
40
T able 39.—N U M BER OF T R AIN M E N IN SERVICE ON CLASS I RAILROADS, N U M BE R OF
FATALITIES AND OF INJURIES A N D FREQUENCY RATES (PER 1,000,000 HOURS'
EXPOSURE) FOR FATALITIES AND INJURIES AMONG TR A IN M E N , 1916 TO 1924, BY
YEARS A N D OCCUPATIONS
NUMBER OF TRAINMEN IN SERVICE
Occupation
1916
1917
Yard service:
Engineers........ ................
Firemen..........................
Conductors......................
Brakemen........................
15,878
16, ISO
15,362
40,175
18,933
19,510
18,703
48,451
1918
'
j 1920
1919
21,310
21,97V
20,823
53,790
J9, 025
20,031
19,325
49,303
‘ 21,363
! 21,549
1 20,236
: 50,799
Total............................
87,605 I0‘>, M3 j117,902 108,284 ! ll 3 ,947
Rood freight service:
Engineers........................
Firemen...........................
Conductors......................
Brakemen.......................
i
| 33,594
35,756
27,297
67,127
31,675
33,637
23,430
63,285
34,155
36,828
27,152
67,818
: 34,990
| 38,102
! 27,679
i 69,048
1922
16,929
17,343
16,745
42,721
18,703
19,249
18,639
46,953
1924
1923
!
!
!
;
i
.
1921
30,907
32,938
25,181
61,989
22,142
22,664
22,002
55,301 |
20,593
21,106
20,545
51,775
93,738 103,544 122,109 ; 114,019
28,317
30,317
22,598
50,620
29,372
31,507
23,254
57,746
34,137
36,504
26,901
65,750
31,015
33.346
24,864
60,539
Total............................ 154,027 165,953 !169,819 151,015 ;163,774 137,852 1141,879 163,292
149,764
Road passenger service:
Engineers........................
Firemen...........................
Conductors......................
Brakemen........................
Baggagemen....................
13,429
12,924
13,297
12,709
12,442
13,105
10,655
14,854
5,524
12,419
10,444
14,423
5,371
12,112
10,382
14,904
5,442
12,630
10,788
15,849
5,661
12,768
10,546
15,315
5,751
57,435
55,366
55,282
57,858
57,304
12,930
12,710
12,977
12,674
11,730
14,369
5,846
13,042
12,491
11,380
14,350
5,729
12,754
11,756
14,558
5,871
56,660
57,981
57,596
All trainmen................ ,299,243 328,991 ;343,087 314,581 335,579 288,894 302,083 343,382
321,379
13,131
10,633
14,800
5,618
FATALITIES AMONG TRAINMEN
Number
Yard service:
Engineers........................
Firemen...........................
Conductors.....................
Brakemen........................
11
22
71
341
16
23
78
401
11
27
73
397
15
14
50
235
9
18
67
363
11
7
39
169
12
5
43
202
12
17
59
263
7
5
45
195
Total............................
445
518
508
314
457
226
262
351
252
Road freight service:
Engineers........................
Firemen...........................
Conductors......................
Brakemen........................
70
107
72
432
72
122
88
478
84
132
104
527
66
70
63
310.
63
84
62
396
32
36
48
186
46
44
37
201
55
59
60
262
37
43
47
168
Total............................
681
760
847
509
605
302
328
436 |
295
Road passenger service:
Engineers........................
Firemen..........................
Conductors......................
Brakemen.......................
Baggagemen....................
45
52
6
8
2
56
49
5
18
8
59
50
11
25
5
50
51
6
17
69
52
6
16
4
37
36
9
10
2
40
39
3
9
6
44
45
7
10
3
32
31
4
13
1
Total............................
113
136
All trainmen................
1,239
1,414
'
150 |
1,505
4
128
147
94
97
109
81
951
1,209
622
687
896
628
STEAM RAILWAYS
41
T able 39.—N U M BER OF T R A IN M E N IN SERVICE ON CLASS I RAILROADS, N U M BER OF
FATALITIES AND OF INJURIES AND FREQUENCY RATES (PER 1,000,000 HOURS'
EXPOSURES FOR FATALITIES AND INJURIES AM ONG TR AIN M E N , 1916 TO 1924, B Y
YEARS AN D OCCUPATIONS-Continued
FATALITIES AMONG TRAINMEN—Continued
Occupation
1916
1918
1917
1919
1920
1921
1922
1923
1924
Frequency rates (per 1,000,000 hours' exposure)
Yard service:
Engineers........................
Firemen...........................
Conductors......................
Brakemon.......................
0.23
.45
l..r>4
2.83
0.28
.39
1.39
2.76
Total............................
1.69
1.64
1.1*
2.46
0.25
.23
.86
1.59
0.14
.28
1.10
2.38
0.22
.13
.78
1.32
0.21
.09
.77
1.43
0.18
.25
.89
1.59
0.11
.08
.73
1.26
1.44
.97
1.34
.SO
.84
.96
.74
.80
1.15
1.25
2.54
.71
.71
.83
1.67
.63
.78
.76
1.97
.38
.40
.71
1.09
.52
.47
.53
1.16
.54
.54
.74
1.83
.40
.43
.63
.93
0.17
Road freight service:
Engineers........................
Firemen...........................
Conductors......................
Brakemcn........................
.74
1.06
.94
2.28
.70
1.10
1.08
2.35
Total............................
1.47
1.53
1.06
1.12
1.23
.73
.77
.89
.66
Road passenger service:
Engineers........................
Firemen...........................
Conductors......................
Brakemen....... ................
Baggagemen....................
1.12
1.32
.19
.18
.12
1.40
1.25
.16
.40
.48
1.55
1.34
. 35
.58
.31
1.34
1.40
.19
.38
.25
1.78
1.37
.19
.34
.24
.95
.94
.28
.22
.12
1.05
1.04
.o&
.21
.35
1.12
1.18
.20
.23
.17
.82
.82
.11
.30
.06
Total............................
All trainmen...........
i
.65
.79
.90
.77
.85
.55
.57
.63
.47
1.38
1.43
1.46
1.01
1.20
.72
.76
.87
.66
INJURIES AMONG TRAINMEN
Number
Yard service:
Engineers........................ 1,078
Firemen........................... 1,644
Conductors...................... 1,993
Brakemen........................ 12,209
1,032
1,905
1,815
12,004
908
1,708
1,440
10,472
680
1,171
1,249
8,296
1,023
1,691
1,607
11,666
546
854
1,094
6,711
746
1,082
1,414
7,562
835
1,561
1,630
10,223
727
1,104
1,498
8,328
Total............................. 16,924
16,756
14,528
11,396
15,987
9,205
10,804
14,249
11,657
Road freight service:
Engineers........................ 2,360
Firemen........................... 5,145
Conductors...................... 3,051
Brakemen........................ 13,115
2,578
6,232
3,099
13,0M
2,547
5,706
2,832
11,938
1,888
3,945
2.253
8,829
2,130
5,085
2,593
11,439
1,404
2,791
1,921
7,012
1,649
3,274
2,227
7,613
1,832
4,036
2,501
9,409
1,370
2,747
2,209
7,629
T o ta l....,....................
23,671
25,003
23,023
16,915
21,347
13,128
14,763
17,778
13,955
Road passenger service:
Engineers........................
Firemen...........................
Conductors......................
Brakemen........................
Baggagemen....................
714
1,245
298
718
361
738
1,444
327
699
368
777
1,253
304
674
283
660
1,176
263
579
292
804
1,535
274
688
344
602
997
209
570
269
715
1,144
282
570
308
761
1,295
304
639
316
617
1,017
302
587
303
T o ta l.........................
3,336
3,576
3,291
2,970
3,645
2,647
3,019
3,315
2,826
All trainmen................ 43,921
45,335
40,842 31,281
40,979
24,980
28,586
85,342
28,438
42
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS IN UNITED STATES
T a b l e 39.—N U M BE R OF T R A IN M E N IN SERVICE ON CLASS I RAILROADS, N U M BER OF
FA TA LITIE S AND OF INJURIES AND FREQ U EN CY RATES (PER 1,000,000 HOURS*
EXPOSU RE) FOR FATALITIES AND INJURIES AM ONG TR A IN M E N , 1916 TO 1924, B Y
YEARS AND OCCUPATIONS—Continued
INJURIES AMONG TRAINMBN—Continued
Occupation
1916
1917
1918
1919
1920
1922
1921
1923
Frequency rates (per 1,000,000 hours' exposure)
Yard service:
Engineers........................ 22.63
Firemen.......................... 33.85
Conductors...................... 43.25
Brakemen...................... 101.90
Total............................
64.40
14.20
25.90
23.05
64.89
11.55
19.49
21.54
56.09
52.89 j 41.07
35.08
1&17
32.54
32.35
82.59
j|
!
!
]|
; 10.75
; 13.41
! 21.78
j 52.36
13.30
18,74
25.29
53.68
12.57
22.97
24.69
61.62
11.77
17.44
24.30
53.61
46.77 ! 32.73
i
34.78
38.90
34.08
15.96
26.16
26.47
76.55
i
Road freight service:
Engineers........................
Firemen...........................
Conductors......................
Brakemen.......................
24.83
50.99
39,99
69.03
25.16
56.41
38.05
64.36
24.26
49.91
34.10
57.63
20. 3 6 ; 21. 1 3 1 16.53
39.92 i 47.40 i 30.69
29.81 j 32.89 | 28.34
47.48 |
j 56.80 j 41.28
18.71
34.64
31.92
43.95
17.90
36.85
20.99
47.70
14.72
27.46
29.61
42.01
Total............................
51.23
5a 22 | 45.19
37.34 | 43.45 | 31.74
34.68
36.29
31.06
18.75
30.53
8.26
13.24
17.92
19.45
33.87
8.62
14.63
17.94
15.85
26.75
8.58
Road passenger service:
Engineers........................
Firemen...........................
Conductors......................
Brakemen........................
Baggagemen....................
Total............................
All trainmen................
:
17.72
31.60
9.34
18.50 j 20.38
33.63
36.73
10.23 ! 9.70
j
15.69 i 15.58
22.21 ; 17.56
17.68 ; 20.73 ! 15.53
32.36 ; 40.51 i 26.03
8.44
8.47
6.61
12.41
12.95
14.47
17.89
20.26 | 15.56
19.30
20.75 : 19.81
17.91
21.00 | 15.40
17.43
19.06
16.36
48.94
45.93 ! 39.68 j 33.15
j
40.70 i 28.82
31.54
34.31
29.50
16.17
21.42
1
13.62
17.2S
Tables 40 and 41 show the number of train accidents of specified
kinds and the number due to specified causes. These tables are
chiefly interesting in that they show that the improved condition on
American railways is a pervasive change, as in whatever way the
accident data is analyzed it will appear that improvement has taken
place. For example, in 1911 collisions caused 297 deaths and in
1924 only 85; and injuries from collisions declined over the same
period from 3,071 to 709. In 1911 there were 209 deaths from
coupling cars and in 1924 there were only 72 deaths.
T a b l e 40.—N U M BER OF T R AIN ACCIDENTS. 1911 TO 1924, BY YEARS A N D KINDS OF
ACCIDEN T
Year ending—
Collisions
Derail
ments
Other
Locomo
locomo
tive
tive
holler
accidents accidents
Miscel
laneous
Total
Fatalities
June 30,1911............ ......... ..........................
June 30,1912................................................
June 30,1913................................................
June 30,1914................................................
June 30,1915................................................
June 30,1916................................................
Dec. 31,1916................................................
Dec. 31,1917................................................
Dec. 31,1918................................................
Dec. 31,1919................................................
Dec. 31.1920................................................
Dec. 31,1921.................................................
Doc. 31,] 922.................................................
Doc. 31, 1923.................................................
Dec. 31, 1024.................................................
1lnciudeu under “ Miscellaneous” .
297
275
280
224
76
139
169
235
274
136
182
54
103
112
85
249
2-14
227
211
127
131
154
155
218
159
160
101
119
115
97
56
64
41
11
13
24
25
44
41
40
50
29
24
42
24
0)
M
0)
0)
i
2
6
18
13
9
6
5
10
9
4
14 !
22 ■
24
11
7
6
10
620
596
557
452
221
304
357
439
547
359
422
195
253
275
216
STEAM RAILWAYS
43
T a b l e 4 0 .—N U M BER OF T R A IN ACCIDEN TS, 1911 TO 1924, B Y YEARS AND KINDS OF
AC C ID E N T —Continued
"T
i
Locorao- j Other ,
tive i locomo- Miscel
boiler ■ tive i laneous
accidents: accidcnts t
Year ending—
Total
Injuries
June 30,1911.
June 30,1912.
June 30,1913.
June 30,1914.
June 30,1915.
June 30,1916.
Dec. 31,1910..
Dcc. 31,1917..
Dec. 31,1918..
Dec. 31,1919..
Dec. 31,1920Dec. 31,1921.
Dec. 31, 1922Dec. 31, 1923.
Dee. 31, 1924.,
3,071
3,060
3,367
2,250
1,360
1,630
1,963
2,388 !1
2,257
1,276
1.607
559
872
940
709
1,092
936
1,002
630
443
290
346
32ti
294
203
1.748
2,380
2,243
1,820
1,348
1, WO
1,249
1,320
1,433
1,083
1,240
606
709
*39
652
246
54
47
57
45 !£
f
0,601
7,098
6,905
4,823
3,371
3,352
3,731
4,214
4,179
2,955
3,385
1,296
1,711
1,939
1,477
690
722
293
123
211
196
183
122
146
(!)
l)
0)
0)
{*>
<l>
58
49
49 1!
344
235
59
54
88
58
57 i
18
29
15
13
»Included uuder “ Miscellaneous."
T a b l e 4 1 . — NUM BER OF TR A IN SERVICE AOOfDENT-3, 1911 TO 1924, BY CAUSES OF
ACCIDENT
Strik
ing
Year ending—
Total
switches struo- •
| tures : off
Fatalities
'rune30,1911.
•une 30,1912.
rune 30,1913.
June 30,1914.
June 30,1915.
June 30,1916Dec. 31,1916.
Dec. 31,1917.
Dec. 31, 1918.
Dec. 31, 1919..
Dec. 31, 1920.
Dec. 31,1921.
Dee. 31, 1922..
Dcc. 31, 1923.
Dec. 31, 1924..
7tV
203
192
195
171
90
123
130
Ifid
ifil-
108
151
78
81
103
72
22|
311
14
23!
•}1|
20;
45(
60,
22!
37j
241
34!
JuO
164
154
113
81
94
106
109
13I:
92
96
65
63
1,197
1,264
1,296
1,132
722
925
1,033
1,222
1,229
‘iiol
522
101
589
2,251
2,324
2,382
2,071
1,373
566
435
467 1,6 6 8
515; 1,853
537| 2,177
361; 2,212
97> 1,334
1,232; 1.685
0351 901
292!
988
403i 1,288
310!
976
Injuries
2,966
3,234
3.360
2,692
1,903
2,194
2,440
2,508
2.3321
1,975!
2,450
1,540,
1,498
1,954
1,592
June 30,1911.
June 30,1912.
June 30,1913.
June 30,1914.
June 30,1915.
June 30,1916.
Dec. 31,1916.
Dec. 31,1917.
Dec. 31.1918.
Dec. 31,1919.
Dec. 31, 1920.
Dec. 31,1921.
Dec. 31, 1922.
Dec. 31,1923.
Dec. 31,1924.
664
580
425 7,379, 1,971
590 9,4261 2,592
378 5,73a 1,623
393 6,187- 1,987
520 8,043! 2,571
430 5,877| 2,042
995
1,453
847
916
1,084
1,050
1,510 7,530
1,523 8» 150
1,835 9,358
1,490 8,498
1,083 6,306
1,310 7,234
1,538 8,403
1,572 8,601
1,349 7,755
1,000 6,162
1,2931 8,773
775 5,510
722 6,157
869 8,096
730 6,564
47
39
64
88
100
97
1,872
2,033
2,154
1,914
1,315
1,443
1,636
1,876
1,890
25,330
27,081
33,007
31,424
23,932
32,801
28,866
13,371
16,919
10,759
11,844
703 13,517
707 11,608
39,247
42.022
19,714
46,018
34,689
39,074
44,579
48.022
42,782
33,325
43,535
27,228
30,481
37,537
30,097
NONTRAIN ACCIDENTS, 1917 TO 1924
Table 42 shows how the hazard of various accident causes has
vaiied in nontrain accidents in the 8-year period covered. It should
-be noted that this shift is not disclosed by the number of cases
44
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS IN UNITED STATES
recorded. For example, the total deaths from nontrain accidents in
1917 were 376 while the total in 1923 was 441. Inspection of these
figures alone would suggest that 1923 was a decidedly less satisfac
tory year than 1917, but if attention be given to the frequency
rates shown in the table it will appear that 1917 had a rate of 0.097
cases per 1,000,000 hours’ exposure while the rate for 1923 is 0.091.
The difference is small enough to suggest that it may represent a
chance relationship. The same situation exists, however, in the case
of total injuries. In 1918 the total injuries numbered 104,900 while
in 1923 there were 112,296. The frequency rates for the two years
are 26.46 for 1918 and 23.12 for 1923. It is perfectly clear that the
record of number of cases without regard to exposure is not a reliable
index of conditions.
TABLE
48 .-N O N T R A 1 N ACCIDENTS ON CLASS I RAILROADS IN
STATES, 1917 TO 1924, BY CAUSES OF A C CIDEN T
THE
UNITED
FATALITIES
1917 1| 1918
1919 j| 1920
1921
1922
1923
1924
Cause of accident
Number
Working machinery, engines, etc............
Transmission apparatus..............................
Handling......................................................
Flying particles..—. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hot substances.............................................
Electric currents..........................................
Collapse, fall, etc., of objects.......................
Falls of persons............................................
Miscellaneous...............................................
Total____ i .........................................
15
5
38
1
21
24
42
98
132
376
Working machinery, engines, elc...............
Transmission apparatus..............................
Handling......................................................
Flying particles_____ . . . ____ ___________
Hot substancos............................................
Electric currents..........................................
Falling objects.............................................
Falls of persons............................................
Miscellaneous...............................................
Total...................................................
0.004
.001
.010
38
7
42
4
21
25
56
111
149
453
17
6
52
16"
22
42
89
115
359
22
3
39
1
13
9
44
76
154
361
13
7
25
2
13
16
27
59
92
254
18
4
18
3
20
19
40
87
242
451
29
5
29
2
35
27
45
74
195
441
16
3
l£
17
82
48
49
205
383
Frequency rates (per 1,000,000 hours1 exposure)
0.010 0.005
.002
.002
.011
.015
.001
.005' .005
.006
.006
.014
.012
.028
.025
.033
.028
.111
.097
! o06
.006
.011
.026
.032
.097
0.006
.006
.010
0.004 0.004
.002
.001
.004
.008
.001
.001
.004
.005
%
.002
.004
.005
.009
.009*
.011
.020
.021
.020
.035
.032
.058
.090 .106
.090
0.006
.001
.006
0.004
.001
.003
%
.006
.009
.015
.040
.091
.004
.007
.011
.011
.045
.086
4,699
4,087 2,919 2,997
489
343
495
553
35,489 25,858 28,862 39,193
5,744 4,227 4,759
6,760
8,757
2,648 1,875 2,467
124
273
270
221
11,822 8,341 10,3165 15,251
10,906 7,725 9,642 11,614
26,887 20,037 24,926 30,199
98,293 71,449 84,586 112,296
3,156
302
33,077
5,483
2,765
. 235
11,980
10,270
25,117
92,385
INJURIES
Number
Working machinerv, engines, e t c ...._____
Transmission apparatus_______ _________
Handling......................... .
Flying particles____ _____ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hot substances_____ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Electric currents..................... ...................
Collapse, fall, etc., of objccts.... . . . . . . . . __
Falls of persons............................ .............
Miscellaneous...............................................
T o t a l . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ....... ........
4,741
4,S35
530
585
44,855 37,196
6,897
7,423
2,949
2,857
185
245
14,087 13,132
13,892 12,474
28,548 26,679
117,210 104,900
3,885
460
33,340
5,536
2,356
223
10,536
9,871
24,635
90,842
Frequency rates (1,000,000 hours’ exposure)
Working machinery, engines, etc________
Transmission apparatus............................
Handling......................................................
Flying particles___. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hot substances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Electric currents___ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Falling o b j e c t s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Falls of persons...______ . . . . . . . . . ____ __
Miscellaneous...............................................
Total...................................................
1.27
.14
12.03
1.99
.79
.05
3.78
3.73
7.40
31.18 |
1.23
.15
9.48
1.76
.73
.06
3.35
3.18
6.53
26.46
1.10
.13
9.47
1.57
.67
.06
2.99
£80
6.78
25.58
1.09
.13
9.43
1.53
.70
.06
3.14
2.90
7.09
26.12
1.04
.12
9.20
1.50
.66
.04
2.96
a 75
7.13
25.44
a 7i
.12
6.80
1.12
.58
.05
2.40
2.27
5.89
19.94
0.97
.11
8.07
1.39
.77
.06
3.14
2.39
6.22
23.12
a 71
.07
7.40
1.23
.62
.05
2.68
2.30
5.60
20.66
..
STEAM RAILWAYS
45
Until 1921 it was possible to separate the data for such industrial
groups as shopmen, station men, etc., but this can not be done
easily with the present arrangement of the items.
Since, however, this grouping presents interesting indications re
garding the accident movement from year to year and the relations
of the several groups, Tables 43 and 44 are reproduced althotigh
they terminate with 1921.
T a b l e 43 .—N U M BER OF N ON TRAIN ACCIDENTS, N U M BER OF HOURS’ EXPOSURE,
AND ACCIDEN T FREQUENCY RATES (PER 1,000,000 HOURS’ EXPOSURE) FOR
INDUSTRIAL EM PLOYEES ON CLASS I RAILROADS IN THE UNITED STATES, 1917
TO 1921, BY YEARS AND OCCUPATIONS
1917
1918
1919
I
j
1920
1921
Occupation
Number of accidents
Shopmen.......................................................
Station men..................................................
Trackmen.....................................................
Bridge and building men.............................
Other employees...........................................
G7,445
15.035
2i;038
5,104
7,375
63,951
12,150
17,498
4,200
6,499
Total...................................................
116,595
104,298
52,318
11,206
17,250
3,835
5,806
57,397
11,664
19,113
4,167
5,653
41,748
6,944
15,778
3,398
3,835
90,415 S
!
97,994
71,703
Honrs of exposure (thousands)
Shopmen.......................................................
Station men............................................... ..
Trackmen.....................................................
Bridge and building men.............................
Other employees...........................................
1,400,734
689,174
1,019,263
203,314
415,005
1,582,114
690,048
1,031,366
202,575
418,927
1,456,460
620,370
888,206
165,072
391,372
1,584,884
644,202
955,570
168,550
410,764
Total....................................................
3,727,490
3,925,030
3,521,480
3,763,970 | 2,808,498
1,150,383
511,918
678,478
117,742
349,977
Accident frequency rates (per 1,000,000 hours’ exposure)
Shopmen.......................................................
Station men..................................................
Trackmen.....................................................
Bridge and building men.............................
Other employees...........................................
48.15
22.69
20.64
25.10
17.77
40.42
17.61
16.97
20.73
15.51
35.92
18.06
19.42
23.23
14.83
36.22
18.11
20.00
24.72
13.76
36.29
13.56
23.25
28.87
10.96
Total....................................................
31.28
26.57
25.68 |
26.03
25.53
Table 44 shows the frequency rates per 1,000,000 hours’ exposure
for non train employees for the five-year period, 1917 to 1921.
T a b l e 44.-—A C CIDEN T FREQUENCY RATES (PER 1,000,000 HOURS’ EXPOSURE) FOR
NONTRAIN EM PLOYEES ON CLASS I RAILROADS IN THE U NITED STATES, 1917
TO 1921
Occupation
Shopmen______ _______ _____ __________________ ___________________. . . . ____
Station men________ _____________________________________'________________
Trackmen______________ ____________________________________ ______ . . . . . . .
Bridge and building men............................ ................................ ...........................
2063°—27------4
Fatalities
0.09
.03
.10
.30
All acci
dents
39.54
18.30
20.00
24.29
46
INDU.STIUATj accidents
is
UNITED STATES
GRADE CROSSING ACCIDENTS, 1890 TO 1924
With the advent of the automobile, casualties at grade crossings
began to increase with startling rapidity. In 1911 there were slightly
over 1,000 deaths from this cause while in 1923, 2,268 constituted a
climax of the irregularly rising series.
This constant increase in spite of the earnest effort of the railways
is not much relieved by the fact that casualties per 1,000 registered
automobiles are declining. This is due to better quality in the
cars themselves, to added experience on the part of the drivers, and
to stricter regulations by the supervisory authorities.
It is to be hoped that the slight drop in fatality from 1923 to 1924
indicates a real improvement.
T a b l e 45.—NUM BER
OF PERSONS AND NUM BER OF TRESPASSERS KILLED OR
INJURED IN RAILW AY ACCIDENTS AT HIGHWAY GRADE CROSSINGS IN THE
UN ITED STATES, 1390 TO 1924 BY YEARS
Year ending—
Number of per
sons—
Killed
June 30,1890...................................................................................
June 30,1891___ . . ___ _________________ ____ _________ ____ _
June 30,1802................................................................................ .
June 30,1803...................................................................................
June 30,1894............................................................... ..................
June 30,1895.... ...........................................................- _______—
June 30,1896............................................... .................... - ......... June 30,1897............ ...... ......................... ....................
June 30,1898..................................................................................
June 30,1899...................................................................................
June 30,1900...................................................................................
June 30,1901...................................................................................
June 30,1902...................................................................................
June 30, 3903...................................................................................
June 30,1904...................................................................................
June 30, 1905...................................................................................
June 30,190(5...................................................................................
June 30, 1907...................................................................................
June 30,1908...................................................................................
June 30,1909...................................................................................
June 30,1910............................................ ....................................
June 30,1911...................................................................................
June 30,1912............................................................. .....................
................. ...............................................................
June 30,1913
.
June 30,1914................. 1................................................................
June 30,1915...................................................................................
June 30,1910...................................................................................
Dec. 31,1916...................................................................................
Dec. 31,1917...................................................................................
Dee. 31,1918...................................................................................
Dec. 31,191 &...................................................................................
Dec. 31,1920...................................................................................
Dec. 31,1921...................................................................................
Dec. 31,1922..................................................................................
Dec. 31, 1923...................................................................................
Dec. 31,1824...................................................................................
402
504
568
596
571
508
615
575
657
671
730
S31
827
SOS
SOS
m
m
934
837
735
839
992
1,032
1,125
1,147
1,086
1,396
1,652
1.969
L 852
1,784
1,791
1,705
1,810
2,268
2,149
Injured
675
863
942
1,064
817
961
1,058
1,033
1,123
1,087
1,297
1,351
1,335
1,481
1,463
1,574
1,892
1,817
1,762
1,833
1,939
2,434
2,506
3,080
2,935
2,981
3,267
3,859
4,764
4,683
4,616
5,077
4,868
5,383
6,314
6,525
Number of tres
passers—
Killed
98
167
137
163
119
133
171
116
151
170
171
209
265
271
197
21.5
250
237
216
112
129
148
136
145
122
83
86
121
131
137
107
100
106
96
133
107
Injured
151
162
176
179
m
176
248
197
202
168
201
242
272
247
224
256
zn
274
32-)
211
1.33
124
138
172
119
72
83
101
128
1*0
216
273
166
163
148
168
ELECTRIC RAILWAYS
The comparison in Table 46 of the accident experience of American
electric railways for the years 1923 and 1924 is drawn from a recent
publication of the American Electric Railway Association. The
facts given are for 105 companies located in all parts of the country,
which companies reported fully on the items in the table.
It will be noted that in nearly every comparison possible to make,
the year 1924 was more satisfactory than 1923. This is particularly
true in cases of injury per 1,000,000 passengers carried, the figures
being 6.48 for 1923 and 5.53 for 1924.
IRON AND STEEL INDUSTRY
47
T able 46.—A C CIDEN T EXPERIEN CES OF 105 AM ERICAN ELECTRIC RAILW AYS IN
1923 AND 1924
Item
1923
448,489,978
Car-miles operated
Passengers carried---- 3,051,621,122
Number of accidents ;
to—
j
Employees...........
4,875
Passengers............11
19,784
Other persons___ !
9,691
rnAfQi
|
34,350
Number of fatalities. J!
Accidents per 1,000000 car-miles:
By collision with
motor vehicles..
337 ;!
195.87
1924
Item
446,200,730
3,239,039.582
Accidents per 1,000,000 car-miles—Con.
cars....................
9.65
8.03
4,627
17,935
9,758
To employees
To passengers___
Toother persons.
10.87
44.11
21.61
10.39
40.29
21.91
Total___ ______
76.59
72.59
Accidents to passen
gers per 1,000,000
passengers carried..
6.48
5.53
32,320
338
1923
1924
"D
oi\llicm
Djv U
Ulllo&Un
li with
wit11
194.35
IRON AND STEEL INDUSTRY
The Bureau of Labor Statistics was called upon in 1910 to make
a special study of the iron and steel industry, and a section of the
investigation then conducted was devoted to the subject of accidents.
Since that time such information has been continuously assembled
and the results have been published from time to time. For detailed
discussion of the various phases of the accident problem as found in
the iron and steel industry recourse must be had to the published
bulletins,® particularly Bulletin No. 298.
It has been the constant endeavor so to present these statistics as
to make them significant and useful in accident prevention. There
can be no doubt that these statistical studies have been a very consider
able factor in the results which are indicated by the tables which follow.
Tables 47 and 48 present two analyses of accident reduction based
on the experience of plants engaged primarily in the production of
fabricated products, sheets, wire products, tubes, and miscellaneous
steel products. These plants were chosen because they had been en
gaged for a long time and very actively in accident prevention effort.
Table 47, which presents the accident data separately for the
plants manufacturing each specified product and also for the total
plants, records a very remarkable success and demonstrates what
can be done if an adequate effort is made. Rates were computed
for the years ending with each month from December, 1913, to
December, 1924, but the omission of the years ending with 9 of
the 12 months from December, 1913, to December, 1922, in order
to shorten the table, does not disturb the indication of continuous
reduction of the rates.
The following reductions in frequency rates appear: Fabricated
products from 100.3 to 33.4, or 66.6 per cent; sheets from 61.6 to
10.3, or 83.3 per cent; wire products from 59.3 to 6.2, or 89.5 per
cent; tubes from 27.2 to 5.1, or 81.3 per cent; steel products Group
A from 70.9 to 11.8, or 83.4 per cent; steel products Group B from
41.3 to 7.9, or 80.9 per cent; total, from 60.3 to 10.2, or 83.1 per cent.
It is doubtful whether any other equally hazardous industrial
groups can show a better record.
• Conditions of employment in the iron and steel industry of the United States, Vol. IV, accidents
and accident prevention (Doc. No. 110,62d Cong., 1st sess.); United States Bureau of Labor Statistics Bui.
No. 210: Accidents and accident prevention in machine building; Bui. No. 234: The safety movement
in the iron and steel industry; Bui. No. 256: Accidents and accident prevention in machine building;
Bui. No. 298: Causes and prevention of accidents in the iron and steel industry.
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS IN UNITED STATES
48
T a b l e 47.—A C C ID E N T FREQUENCY RATES (PER 1,000,000 HOURS' EXPOSURE) FOR
M ILLS M A K IN G SPECIFIED PRODUCTS, BY YEARS ENDING W ITH A PRIL, AUGUST,
AN D DE C E M B E R , FROM DECEM BER, 1913, TO DEC E M B E R , 1922, A N D BY YEARS
EN DIN G EACH M ON TH OF 1923 AN D 1924
Year ending with—
Fabri
cated
products
Sheets
Wire
products
Tubes
Miscellaneous steel
products
Total
Group A Group B
December, 1913................. .............
April, 1914......................................
August, 1914......................... .........
December, 1914.....___ . . . . . . . . . .
April, 1915................................. .
August, 1915...................................
December, 1915..............................
April, 1910......................................
August, 1916.................. ...............
December, 1916.......... ...... ......... .
April, 1917......................................
August, 1917...................................
December, 1917............... ..............
April, 1918......................................
August, 1918...................................
December, 1918..............................
April, 1919......................................
August, 1919...................................
December, 1919........................... .
April, 1920......................................
August, 1920...................................
December, 1920.................... ..........
April, 1921......................................
August, 1921...................................
December, 1921..............................
April, 1922......................................
August, 1922...................................
December, 1922..............................
January, 1923.................................
February, 1923...............................
March, 1923...................................
April, 1923......................................
May, 1923.......................................
June, 1923........................ ..............
July, 1923........................................
August, 1923...................................
September, 1923.............................
October, 1923..................................
November, 1923.............................
December, 1923..............................
January, 1924..................................
February, 1924...............................
March, 1924...................................
April, 1924......................................
May, 1924.......................................
June, 1924.......................................
July, 1924........................................
August, 1924...................................
September, 1924.............................
October, 1924.................................
November, 1924...... ......................
December, 1924..............................
100.3
88.2
66.7
69.0
63.3
60.9
63.5
62.7
64.7
52.1
54.3
52.7
51.3
46.9
42.6
38.2
35.8
32.3
32.8
33.7
35.6
35.3
34.5
32.0
28.4
25.6
31.5
33.8
33.9
34.0
34.2
34.5
34.2
33.2
33.8
33.2
32.4
32.5
32.7
32.6
33.6
34.3
34.9
35.7
35.0
34.7
34.1
34.1
34.2
34.1
33.8
83.4
61.6
56.6
49.4
47.2
44.7
39.0
37.3
37.1
36.1
34.0
32.3
34.9
33.9
32.7
27.5
25.9
25.6
24.7
25.8
24.9
24.1
22.7
21.5
20.3
17.5
16.1
16.8
16.9
17.4
17.9
17.6
18.2
18.7
19.0
19.0
18.8
]8.5
18.0
17.6
17.2
16.5
15.8
15.4
14.6
13.9
12.9
11.7
11.0
10.8
10.6
9.2
10.3
59.3
63.1
48.9
46.2
43.2
46.2
52.4
62.9
51.1
48.2
45.0
39.5
32.5
27.6
22.1
18.8
16.2
14.2
12.5
12.5
12.4
12.0
9.9
8.4
7.5
7.8
8.2
7.9
8.0
7.8
7.8
8.0
8.0
7.9
7.7
7.7
7.7
8.0
7.8
7.9
8.1
8.0
8.0
7.9
7.7
7.4
7.2
7.1
6.9
6.8
6.5
6.2
27.2
21.2
16.0
12.5
9.3
9.6
10.8
12.1
12.3
12.4
11.6
10.7
10.2
10.0
9.9
9.1
9.1
8.5
9.1
9.0
9.2
8.9
7.6
7.0
6.1
6.5
6.6
7.1
7.4
7.3
7.5
7.6
7.6
7.7
7.6
7.7
7.7
7.5
7.3
7.0
6.7
6.7
6.4
6.2
7.1
6.0
5.9
6.6
6.3
5.5
5.3
5.1
70.9
67.3
57.8
50.7
42.3
45.0
51.9
61.2
66.0
67.6
64.6
57.9
51.3
46.7
44.0
42.0
41.5
39.2
39.7
38.7
37.0
35.3
30.4
24.2
15.8
12.0
14.1
14.5
14.4
14.6
14.9
14.6
14.5
14.3
13.4
14.0
14.0
14.1
14.1
13.9
14.1
14.3
14.1
14.1
13.8
13.5
13.3
13.1
12.9
13.3
12.0
11.8
41.3
35.5
31.0
27.6
26.4
20.1
23.0
25.4
28.5
28.2
25.8
22.5
20.5
21.6
28.3
31.4
30.7
25.5
23.0
21.1
20.3
18.6
16.8
14.2
12.1
10.5
10.8
10.8
10.5
10.7
10.7
10.8
10.6
10.3
10.2
10.3
10.0
10.1
10.0
9.8
9.9
9.9
9.9
9.8
9.6
9.1
8.7
8.3
8.2
8.1
7.8
7.9
60.3
64.7
47.9
43.5
39.1
38.1
41.5
44.2
45.4
44.4
42.2
38.3
34.5
31.9
30.2
28.8
28.1
26.2
26.1
25.3
24.4
22.9
20.2
17.2
13.2
11.6
12.7
13.0
13.0
13.2
13.3
13.4
13.4
13.3
13.2
13.2
12.8
13.0
12.9
12.7
12.7
12.6
12.5
12.4
12.0
11.6
11.3
11.0
10.9
10.6
10.4
10.2
Table 48 presents the same experience as Table 47 but analyzed
with reference to accident causes.
Accidents due to handling were most numerous and declined
during the period from 26.7 to 3.85, or 85.6 per cent. Nearly onehalf of these handling accidents resulted from dropping when han
dling, and the decline in this group was from 11.2 to 1.93. These
declines in a class of injury due almost wholly to lack of skill on the
part of the worker are convincing evidence that with proper selection
and training of the working force very satisfactory results can be
secured.
IRON AND STEEL INDUSTRY
49
If it were possible to present severity rates, they would show that
while accidents due to machinery are less numerous than those
due to handling they are much more serious. The decline in
frequency of machine accidents was from 7.3 to 2.03.
T a b l e 48.—-ACCIDENT
FREQUENCY RATES (PER 1,000,000 HOURS’ EXPOSURE) IN
A PORTION OF THE IRON AN D STEEL IN DU STRY, 1913 TO 1924, BY YEARS AND
AC CIDEN T CAUSES
i
Accident cause
1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924
Machinery.................................. 7.3 5.0 4.9
Working machines............. 3.8 2.7 2.6
Caught in...................... 2.5 1.8 1.7
Breakage........................
.1
.1
.1
.8
.8
Moving material in....... 1.2
Cranes, etc........................... 3.5 2.3 2.3
Overhead....................... 2.8 1.9 2.0
.3
.2
Locomotive....................
.2
Other hoisting appa
ratus............................
.4
.2
.1
Vehicles....................................... 2.3 1.9 1.6
Hot substances........................... 5.4 3.6 3.7
.5
.4
Electricity............................
.2
Hot metal............................. 3.6 2.1 2.3
1.3 1.1 1.2
Hot water, etc.....................
Falls of persons........................... 4.5 4.1 3.5
From ladders........................
.3
.1
.1
.2
From scaffolds.....................
.2
.2
Into openings.......................
.2
.1
.1
Due to insecure footing....... 3.8 3.7 3.1
Falling material not otherwise
specified................................... 1.2
.7
.7
Handling objects and tools........ 28.7 19.4 20.6
Objects dropped in han
dling.................................. 11.2 7.3 7.6
Caught between object
handled and other object.. 3.4 2.6 2.6
Trucks.................................. 1.9 1.0 1.4
Lifting.................................. 2.5 2.3 2.5
.1
Objects flying from tools___
.2
.2
Sharp points and edges....... 3.8 3.4 3.8
Tools..................................... 3.7 2.6 2.6
Miscellaneous......... .................. 12.9 8.8 6.5
.1
Asphyxiating gas.................
.2
.3
Flying object not striking
.8
.6
.6
Flying object striking eye... 2.9 2.1 1.7
.4!
.9
.8
Heat.....................................
Other causes......................... 8.0 5.1 3.7j
1913
to
1924
5.4
2.6
1.7
.1
.8
2.8
2.5
.2
4.5
2.0
1.2
.1
.7
2.5
2.2
.2
4.0
1.8
1.1
.1
.6
2.2
1.9
.2
3.3
1.4
.9
.1
.4
1.9
1.6
.2
3.4 1.8
1.5 .8
1.0 .6
.1 .06
.4 .1
1.9 1.0
1.5 .8
.2 .2
2.2 2.3
1.1 1.0
.8
.7
.1 (0
.3
.2
1.2 1.3
1.0 1.1
.1
..1
2.03
.83
.58
.04
.21
1.18
.94
. 13
3.85
1.84
1.22
.08
.54
2.01
1.69
.17
.1
1.7
4.5
.4
3.0
1.1
3.7
.1
.2
.3
3.1
.1
1.7
3.6
.3
2.5
.8
3.2
.1
.3
.2
2.6
.1
1.3
3.0
.3
2.1
.6
2.8
.2
.2
.1
2.3
.1
1.2
2.8
.2
2.0
.6
2.8
.1
.2
.1
2.3
.2 .1
.1
.1
.1 .5
.4
.6
2.5 1.2
1.1 1.2
.3 .1
.1 0)
.7
.9
1.8 .8
.4 .2
.2
.3
2.5 1.7
1.5 1.4
.1
.1
.1 .09
.2 .]
.1
.1
.1 .07 (0
.1
2.1 1.4
1.3 1.1
.10
.48
.87
.07
.61
.19
1.35
.07
.13
.03
1.12
.15
1.23
2.79
.24
1.89
.66
2.74
.13
.19
.12
2.30
.4
.6
.4
.3
.1
21.5 15.7 12.8 11.7 ' lb'4 6.5
.1
5.8
.1
5.5
.09
.41
3.85 13.33
8.4
6.1
5.5
5.0
4.4 2.6
2.6
2.3
1.93
5.42
3.1
1.4
2.5
.1
3.1
2.9
7.0
.1
2.1
1.2
2.0
.1
2.2
2.0
5.4
.1
1.7
.9
1.4
.1
1.5
1.7
4.6
.1
1.7
.7
1.4
.1
1.3
1.4
4.1
.2
1.3 .7
.7
.6 .5
.4
1.1 .8
.8
.1 .07
.1
3.5 1.1
.6
.7
1.4 .8
3.1 1.3
1.9
.1 .5 0)
.7
.4
.5
.1
.6
.8
3.8
.1
.50
.21
.27
.04
.33
.59
1.60
.03
1.76
.89
1.51
.10
1.91
1.7ft
4.60
.12
.5
1.9
.4
4.1
.4
1.6
.1
3.2
.5
1.6
.2
2.2
.3
1.3
.1
2.2
.3
1.1
.1
1.5
.1
.3
.4
.2
.1 (0
1.3 1.1
.17
.33
.05
1.01
.39
1.31
.25
2.53
.2
.5
.06
.6
Total................................. CO. 3 43.5 41.5) 44.4 34.5 28.8 26.3 22.0 13.3
13.0 12.8 10.22 28.96
i Less than one-tenth of 1.
The concerns for which data are presented in Tables 47 and 48 are
among the best in the industry. It will be enlightening to consider
what has occurred in the industry at large.
Table 49 has been prepared to show the relation between the
industry and certain of the important departments. Instead of
annual periods, 5-year periods are used in order to secure a large
enough volume to overcome the influence of local and temporary
conditions. With the exception of foundries a steady and quite
considerable decline appears in both frequency and severity rates.
50
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS IN UNITED STATES
T a b l e 49.—TR E N D OF ACCIDEN T RATES FOR 5-YEAR PERIODS IN THE IRON A N D
STEEL INDUSTRY
Five-year periods
ending—
Tho in- ! Blast
dustry j furnaces
i
I
1913..................................
1914..................................
1915..................................
1916..................................
1918.................................. !
1919.................................. i
1920..................................
iftai..................................
1922..................................
1923..................................
1924..................................
Open
hearth
Bes
semer
Foun
dries
Heavy I
■a?;
Sheet
mills
i
Accident frequency rates (per 1,000,000 hours* exposure)
69.2
65.1
62.1
59.2
53.3
51.3
48.2
43.6
41.6
41.1
39.5
36.5
34.9
33.6
!
i
1
!
;
:
!
I
!
i
?
i
!
76.1
67.7
62.4
62.3
50.3
47.8
44.1
40. 5
39.0
3S.0
36.3
34.0
32.9
30.7
!
!
j
.
:
i
i
1
!
'
;
|
|
101.5
79. 5
02.3
89.8
65.0
76.1
68.3
60.7
57.7
53.1
47.0
39.9
30.5
24.9
:
i
1
;
j
<
1S
;
;
j!
jI
li
84.2 !
79.5
78.6
75.0
67.6
64.8
58.4
53.5
50.5
50.2
44.8 j
41.3 j!
3 3 .0 !i
32.9 1!
ji
60.1
61.5
65.1
63.6
59.3
57.8
60.4
57.0
61.0
61.0
63.1
60.4
61.7
62.7
61.0
57.0
51.7
46.1
39.4
37.3
32.1
31.1
32.4
31.4
29.9
27.6
23.8
21.2
69.4
60.8
55.9
49.9
44.7
41.5
36.6
39.8
39.2
38.4
37.6
36.7
31.4
29.4
;
i
!
j
j
44.4
47.9
49.1
51.1
48.1
47.4
41.3
35.8
32.7
33.7
33.4
35.2
37.2
35.1
Accident severity rates (days lost per 1,000 hours’ exposure)
1911..................................
1912.................................. !
1913..................................
1914.................................. !
1915..................................
1910..................................
1917.................................. !
191$..................................
1919.................................. 1
1020.................................. |
1921..................................
1922..................................
!
1921.................................. i
5.0
4.3
4.4
4. i
3.6
3.7
3.7
3.5
3.6
3.5
3.4
3.1
3.0
2.3
.
■
1
;
'
.
.
.
10.6
S.S
8.3
7 .0
6.2
5.8
5.6
5.4
5.8
5.7
5.7
5. 5
5.0
4.5
;
!
!
j
1
j
;
j
;
i
j
7.6
7.4
6.7
6.4
5.3
6.1
7.1
7.3
7.5
6.6
6.8
6.6
5.8
5.5
5.1
5.8
2.7
&1
3.5
3.6
3.3
3.1
3.3
3.2
4.4
4.2
4 .0
3.6
3.4
3 .5
3.6
3.4
6.9
6.3
5.4
4.2
6.5
6.3
3.4
3.2
3.2
2.7
3.9
3.5
3.3
2.9
2.7
2.8
2.4
2.3
3.2
2.6
5.8
5.3
4.2
4.2
5.1
4.1
3.8
3.9
3.1
2.8
2.6
2.6
3.1
2.8
3 .0
2.6
2 .2
2.3
2.1
1.8
2.5
2.6
2.5
2.5
1.6
1.8
1.7
2.4
2.4
1.8
1.9
2.1
To understand the course of events it will be necessary to refer to
another table— No. 50. In Table 47 it is seen that for the selected
concerns the frequency rate in 1913 was 60.3, and from Table 50 it
appears that for the industry at large the frequency rate was 59.6.
The difference between the two rates is too small to be significant. In
1924 the rate for the selected plants was 10.2 and for the industry 30.8.
Since the selected plants are included in the industry total they
manifestly have their influence in determining what the rate will be,
and since they constitute about 50 per cent of the industry and have
a rate of 10.2, it is evident that the rate for the other 50 per cent must
be close to 50.
While the selected plants have been reducing their rate from 60.3
to 10.2, the remainder of the industry has gone from 59.6 to about 50.
If the matter could be presented from the severity standpoint the
discrepancy would not be so great, but it would still be sufficient to
challenge attention. It means that in the iron and steel industry,
where remarkable results in accident reduction have been attained,
thm* is still room for improvement.
ACCIDENT EXPERIENCE OF THE DEPARTMENTS OF THE INDUSTRY
Tables 50 to 72 present in detail the accident experience of the
several departments of the iron and steel industry. While there is a
considerable group of concerns which were not able for one reason
IRON AND STEEL INDUSTRY
51
or another to furnish the data desired, the reports received cover so
large a portion of the workers that the rates derived may be regarded
as typical.
It has been the custom to undertake some special studies at the
close of 5-year periods. As the year 1924 completes a third such
period, there is accordingly in each table herewith presented a show
ing for these three 5-year periods. It is interesting to observe that
with very few exceptions these figures, based on a greater volume of
material, show a steady drop from period to period both in frequency
and in severity.
The varying size of the working group from year to year is due,
with three exceptions, to changing industrial conditions. The regu
lar accumulation of accident data was not begun until 1910, and very
few concerns had at that time records of earlier years. As a result
the group for 1907 was relatively small. It is included because, in
spite of its small size, it clearly indicates a condition still less satisfac
tory than that of 1910. There can be no doubt that if it were pos
sible to determine rates for earlier years a still worse condition
would be disclosed. In 1915 and 1916 it was not possible to secure
complete data.
From 1910 to 1925 the decline in frequency was 62.1 per cent and
in severity 51.9 per cent.
T a b l e 50.—ACCIDENTS AN D ACCIDEN T RATES IN THE IRON AND STEEL INDUSTRY,
1907 TO 1925, BY YEARS AND 5-YEAR PERIODS
Accident fr e q u e n c y
rates (per 1,000,000
hours’ exposure)
Number of cases
Year or
period
Fullyear
workers
1907..............
27,632
1910.............. 202,157
1911.............. 231,544
1912.............. 300,992
1913.............. 319,919
1914.............. 256,299
1915............... 116,224
1916............... 166,646
1917............... 410,852
1918.............. 474,435
1919.............. 377,549
1920._______ 442; 685
1921............... 237,094
1922............... 335,909
1923............... 434*693
1924.............. 389,438
1910-1914___ 1,310,911
1915-1919___ 1,545,706
1920-1924___ 1,839,818
1925............... 445,223
Per- Tem
maDeath ment porary
disa
disa bility
bility
61
106
327 848
204 931
348 1,241
426 1,200
219 860
87 J 372
159 728
523 1,268
543 1,253
419 848
327 1,084
156 527
236 878
314 1,188
312 1,133
1,524 5*080
1,731 4,469
1,345 4,810
207 1,091
6,530
44,108
34,676
54,575
55,556
37,390
13,481
2a 655
57,094
54,293
41,009
49,482
21,279
3^120
41,766
34,481
226,305
186*532
179,128
36,404
Total
6,697
45,283
35»811
56,164
57,182
38,469
13,940
21,542
58,885
56,089
42,276
50,893
21,962
33,234
43,268
35,920
1232,954
192,732
185*277
37,772
Per
ma
Death nent
disa
bility
0.7
.5
.3
.4
.4
.3
.2
.3
.4
.4
.4
.2
.2
.2
.2
.3
.4
.4
.2
.2
Accident severity rates
(per 1.000 hours’ ex
posure)
!!
Tem
Per- Tem
po
ma- po To
rary
rary To
Death
ment
disa tal
disa disa tal
bility
bility bility
1.3 78.8
1.4 72.7
1.3 49.9
1.4 6a 4
1.3 57.9
1.1 48.6
1.1 38.7
1.4 41.3
1.0 46.3
.9 38.1
1.0 40.2
.8 37.3
.7 29.9
.9 31.9
.9 32.1
1.0 29.5
1.3 57.5
1.0 40.2
.9 ;! 32.5
•8 I
80.8
■74.7
51.5
!62.2
;59.6
j[50.0
!40.0
|43.0
i47.7
!39.4
!41.6
;38.3
30.8
-33.0
;33.2
30.8
'59.2
41.6
>33.6
28.3
4.4
3.2
1.8
2.3
2.7
1.7
1.5
1.9
2.5
2.3
2.2
1.5
1.3
1.4
1.4
1.6
2.3
2.2
1.5
1.2
1.7
1.2
1.1
1.1
.9
.9
.7
1.0
.9
.8
.8
.8
.7
.8
.8
.9
1.1
.8
.8
.8
1.1
.8
.6
.8
.7
.6
.5
.6
.6
.5
.6
.4
.5
.5
.5
.5
.7
.6
.5
.4
7.2
5.2
3.5
4.2
4.3
3.2
9.7
3.5
4.0
3.6
3.6
2.7
2.5
2.7
2.7
3.0
4.1
3.6
2.8
2.5
BLAST FURNACES
The blast furnace must be regarded as one of the most hazardous
departments in the industry. It is subject more than any other
department to accidents causing injury to several men at the same
time.
From 1910 to 1925 accident frequency declined 72.4 per cent and
accident severity 54.2 per cent.
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS IN UNITED STATES
52
T a b l e 5 1 , — ACCIDEN TS AND A C C ID E N T RATES IN BLAST FURNACES, 1907 TO 1925, B *
YEARS AND 5-YEAR PERIODS
Accident frequency rates
(per 1,000,000 hours' ex
posure)
Number of cases
Year or period
Fullycar
workers
1907..................
1910.................
1911..................
1912.................
1913.................
1914..................
1915..................
1916..................
1917..................
1918..................
1919..................
1920..................
1921..................
1922.................
1923..................
1924..................
1910-1914.........
1915-1919.........
1920-1924.........
1925.................
1,566
19,389
21,479
27,154
31,988
26,572
10,721
14,905
36,202
41,449
32,889
35,470
15,486
17,933
29,698
25,268
126,582
136,166
123,854
25,819
Per
ma
Death nent
disa
bility
11
68
54
87
80
9
68
52
73
86
45
19
23
79
102
<„u
47
23
38
53
50
324
317
211
40
77
2A
57
93
72
67
58
24
35
68
66
366
312
251
51
Accident severity rates
(per 1,000 hours' ex
posure)
Tem
Per Tem
Per Tem
po
ma po
ma po
rary Total Dcoth nent rary Total Death nent rary Total
disa
disa disa
disa disa
bility
bility bility
bility bility
456
4,971
3,303
4,790
4,749
3,935
981
1,763
4,440
4,358
3,745
3,214
1,160
1,586
2,702
2,248
22,578
15,287
10,910
1,789
476
5,107
3,409
4,950
4,945
4,057
1,023
1,843
4,612
4,532
3,906
3,319
1,207
1,659
2,823
2,364
23,268
15,916
11,372
1,880
1.9
1.2
.8
.9
.9
.6
.6
.5
.7
.8
1.0
.4
.5
.7
.6
.7
.9
.8
.6
.•5
2.3
1.2
.8
1.1
.8
1.0
.7
1.3
.9
.6
.7
.5
.5
.7
.8
.9
1.0
.8
.7
.7
97.1
85.5
51.3
58.8
58.1
49.4
30.5
39.4
40.9
35.0
38.0
30.2
25.0
29.4
30.3
29.7
60.4
37.4
29.4
23.1
101.3
87.9
52.9
60.8
59.8
51.0
31.8
41.2
42.5
36.4
39.7
31.1
26.0
30.8
31.7
31.3
62.3
39.0
30.7
24.3
11.5
6.9
4.8
5.4
5.3
3.5
3.5
3.1
4.4
4.9
5.7
2.7
3.0
4.2
3.6
4.0
5.2
4.7
3.4
3.1
2.7
1.7
.9
1.0
1.0
1.0
.6
.9
.9
.8
1.0
.9
.5
.4
.1
1.1
1.0
.9
.7
.9
1.8
1.0
.8
.8
.9
.7
.4
.6
.5
.5
.5
.4
.4
.5
.5
.5
.8
.5
.5
.4
16.0
9.6
6.5
7.2
7.2
5.2
4.5
4.6
5.8
6.2
7.2
4.0
3.9
5.1
4.2
5.6
7.0
6.1
4.5
4.4
BESSEMER CONVERTERS
The accident experience of the Bessemer department is very
erratic. The rates change from year to year in a fashion difficult
to explain. However, here, as elsewhere, the general tendency is to
decline.
From 1910 to 1925 frequency declined 92.9 per cent and severity
55.8 per cent.
T a b l e 53.—ACCIDENTS AND ACCIDEN T RATES IN BESSEMER CONVERTERS, 1907
TO 1925, BY YEARS AND 5-YEAR PERIODS
Number of cases
Year or period
1907.....................
1910.....................
1911.....................
1912.....................
1913.....................
1914.....................
1916..............
1917.....................
1918.....................
1919.....................
1920.....................
1921.....................
1922.....................
1923.....................
1924.....................
1910-1914.............
1915-i919.............
1920-1924.............
1925.....................
Accident frequency rates
(per 1,000,000 hours' exixxsure)
Accident severity rates
(per 1,000 hours' ex
posure)
FullPer Tem
Per Tem
Per Tem
year
ma po
ma po
ma po
work
nent
rary
To
nent
rary
To
nent
rary T o
ers
Death
Death disa disa tal Death disa disa
tal
disa disa tal
bil bil
bil bil
bil bil
ity
ity
ity
ity.
ity
ity
967
5,070
5,155
6,521
6,885
4,470
3,160
4,070
5,979
5,881
6,555
6,907
3,440
4,778
6,080
4,943
28,101
25,645
26,147
4,844
1
20
6
9
16
6
2
13
20
13
14
5
4
2
6
7
57
62
24
9
5
18
24
37
42
25
21
34
21
18
18
9
6
8
20
10
146
112
53
10
383
1,943
1,237
1,892
1,610
685
494
848
1,194
877
849
750
252
233
367
274
7,367
4,262
1,876
115
389
1,981
1,267
1,938
1,668
716
517
894
1,235
908
881
764
262
243
393
291
7,570
4,436
1,953
134
0.3
1.3
.4
.5
.8
.4
.2
1.1
1.1
.7
.7
.2
.4
.1
.3
.5
.7
.8
.3
.6
1.7 132.0 134.0
1.2 127.7 130.2
1.6 79.9 81.9
1.9 96.7 99.1
2.0 77.9 80.7
1.8 51.1 53.3
2.2 52.1 54.5
2.8 69.5 73.4
1.2 66.6 68.9
1.0 49.7 51.4
.9 43.2 44.8
.4 36.2 36.8
.6 24.4 25.4
.6 16.3 17.0
1.1 20.1 21.5
.7 18.5 19.7
1.7 87.4 89.8
1.5 55.4 57.7
.7 23.9 24.9
9.2
.7
7.9
2.1
7.9
2.3
2.8
4.6
2.2
1.3
6.4
6.7
4.4
4.3
1.4
2.3
.8
2.0
2.8
4.0
4.8
1.8
.7
0.9
.9
1.1
1.0
1.2
1.2
1.4
2.1
1.3
1.0
.5
.3
.4
.5
.5
.6
1.1
1.1
.4
3.7
2.4
1.6
1.1
1.5
1.2
.9
.8
1.2
1.2
.8
.9
.6
.4
.3
.5
.3
1.3
1.0
.4
.2
5.4
10.4
4.5
5.3
7.0
4.3
3.5
9.7
9.2
6.2
5.7
2.3
3.1
1.6
3.0
3.7
6.4
6.9
2.6
4.6
IKON AND STEEL INDUSTRY
53
OPEN HEARTHS
In open hearths from 1910 to 1925 accident frequency declined
74.3 per cent and severity 62.2 per cent. From year to year the
changes are somewhat irregular, but the 5-year periods show an
extremely uniform downward movement.
T a b l e 53.—ACCIDENTS AND ACCIDEN T RATES IN OPEN HEARTHS, 1907 TO 1925, B Y
YEARS AND 5-YEAR PERIODS
Number of cases
Accident frequency rates
(per 1,000,000 hours*
exposure)
Accident severity rates
(per 1,000 hours’
exposure)
X Uil-
Year or period
ycar
workers
1&07..................
1910..................
1911.................
1912.............. .
1913..................
1914..................
IS15.................
1916.................
1917..................
1918.................
1919.................
1920.................
1921..................
1922.................
1923..................
1924.................
1910-1914..........
1915-1919.........
1920-1924.........
1925..................
2,987
9,739
10,718
17,355
20,604
12,877
5,969
9,654
21,457
26,410
22,685
28,823
12,783
19,805
24,917
21,493
71,293
86,175
107,820
22,837
Per
ma
Death nent
disa
bility
14
29
18
47
35
14
8
12
47
71
53
43
9
22
42
32
143
191
148
25
14
53
45
99
95
41
20
37
86
103
71
70
21
46
74
67
333
317
278
73
Per- 1TemTem
For- Tem
ma- i; POpo
ma- po
!
rary Total iDeath nent rary Total Death nent |rary Total
disa disa
disa disa
disability bility
bility bility
bility
908
3,028
1,890
4,039
4,368
2,484
832
1,458
3,187
3,983
3,103
3,164
1,082
1,036
2,145
1,864
15,809
12,563
10,191
1,769
936
3,110
1,953
4,185
4,498
2,539
860
1,507
3,320
4,157
3,227
3,277
1,112
2,004
2,261
1,963
16,285
13,071
10,617
1,867
1.6
1.6 101.3 104.5
1.0
1.8 103.6 106.4
.6
1.4 58.8 60.8
.9
4.9 77.6 80.4
.6
1.5 70.7 72.8
.4
1.1 64.3 65.8
.4
1.1 46.5 48.0
.4
1.3 50.3 52.0
.7
1.3 49.5 51.5
.9
1.3 50.3 52.5
.8
1.0 45.6 !: 47.4
.5
.8 37.0 38.3
.2
.6 28.2 29.0
.4
.8 32.6 33.8
.6 ’ 1.0 28.6 30.2
.5
1.0 28.9 30.4
.7
1.5 72.8 75.0
.7
1.2 48.6 50.5
.9 31.5 32.9
.5
.4
1.1 25.8 27.3
9.3
6.0
3.4
5.3
3.4
2.2
2.7
2.5
4.4
5.4
4.7
3.0
1.4
2.2
3.4
3.0
4.0
4.4
2.7
2.2
4.0
2.4
1.1
1.9
1.4
1.5
.9
.8
1.2
1.4
1.3
.8
.4
.9
1.1
.9
1.6
1.2
.9
1.0
1.1
1.4
.9
1.0
1.0
.8
.6
.9
.8
1.1
.8
.5
.5
.5
.7
.5
1.0
.9
.6
.5
14.4
9.8
5.4
8.2
5.8
4.5
4.2
4.2
6.4
7.9
6.8
4.3
2.3
3.6
5.2
4.4
6.6
6.5
4.2
3.7
FOUNDRIES
When compared with the basic metallurgical departments found
ries have a distinctly lower accident severity and a higher accident
frequency. The changes from year to year are disappointing in
view of the fact that some of the better plants have clearly demon
strated that the figures are higher than they need to be and that
reasonable reduction is possible.
When the 5-year periods are considered the situation looks some
what better. From the first 5-year period to the third there has
been a decline of 1.4 per cent in frequency and 22.2 per cent in
severity.
54
INDUSTRIAL AGCIDENTS IN UNITED STATES
T a b l e 5 4 .-A C C ID E N T S AND ACCIDEN T RATES IN FOUNDRIES. 1907 TO 1925, B Y YEARS
AND 5-YEAR PERIODS
Accident frequency rates
(per 1,000,000 hours'
exposure)
Number of cases
Year or period
Fullyear
workers
939
1907.....................
1910..................... 16,885
13,499
1911.....................
1912..................... 23,294
1913..................... 24,605
1914..................... 17,634
1,309
1915.....................
1,231
1916.....................
1917..................... 31,805
1918..................... 32,181
1919..................... 24,220
1920..................... 35,300
1921..................... 15,388
1922..................... 22,770
1923..................... 38,660
1924..................... 37,325
1910-1914
. . 95,917
1915-1919........... 92,746
1920-1924........... 149,441
1925.................. 35,570
Per
ma
Death nent
disa
bility
1
7
18
23
22
14
1
45
23
15
13
9
12
26
21
84
84
81
27
Accident severity rates
(per 1,000 hours*
exposure)
1 Per- !\Tem-|1
Per Tem
Tem
ma- j po- 1
ma po
po
:Total Death nent rary Total
rary T ota l!Death1nent; rary <
disa disa
disa* j disa- i
disa
i
bility bility
bility
i!
1bility bilily!
l
1i
183
179
3
78 2; 615 % 700
57 1,970 2,045
135 4,512 4,670
118 5*236 5*376
61 3,432 3,507
2
118
120
152
145
6
101 6,810 6,956
106 5,482 5,611
62 4,048 4,125
97 6,088 6,798
34 2,766 2,799
59 4,134 4.205
126 7,171 7,323
143 6,820 6.984
449 17,765 18,298
277 16,604 16,965
459 27,569 28,109
128 6,877 7.032
1
:
i
!
0.4
.1
.4
.3
.3
.3
.3
.5
.2
.2
.1
.2
.2
.2
.2
.3
.3
.2
.3
1.1
1.5
1.4
1.9
1.6
1.2
.5
1.6
1.1
1.1
.9
.9
.7
.9
1.2
1.3
1.6
j 63.5 : 65.0
! 51.6
48.6
; 64.6
I 70.9
! 64.9
30.0
39.3
71.4
56.8
65.7
63.2
59.7
60.5
61.8
60.9
61.7
1.0
1.0
1.2
59.7
61.5
64.5
2.1
1 33.2
.8
: 50.4
2.7
2.1
i 66.8
1.7
! 72.8
66.4
1.6
30.5
41.2 "‘ T o ’
2 .8
73.0
58.1
1.5
1.2
56.8
64.2
.7
60.6
1.2
61.6
1.1
63.2
1.4
62.4
1.1
1.8
63.6
0 .3
1.0
1.0
1.5
1.2
1.0
.2
.6
1.0
1.0
.8
.8
.7
.9
.8
1.1
1.1
1.0
.6
.6
.8
.8
.7
.4
.7
.9
.7
.7
.8
.8
.7
.8
.8
.7
1.8
1.1
1.5
.9
.9
1.3
.7
.8
.9
61.0
62.7
65.9
3.4
2 .4
4 .3
4 .4
3.7
3.3
.6
2.9
4 .7
3.2
2.7
2.3
2.7
2.7
3 .0
3 .0
3 .6
3.4
2.8
3.7
BAR MILLS
There are no available accident data prior to 1915 regarding bar
mills. From that year to 1925 accident frequency declined 58.0 per
cent and accident severity increased 15.8 per cent. The experi
ence for the second 5-year period is below that for the first— 45.8
per cent in frequency and 29 per cent in severity.
T a b l e 55.—ACCIDENTS AND ACCIDENT RATES IN BAR MILLS, 1915 TO 1925, B Y YEARS
AND 5-YEAR PERIODS
Number of cases
Year or period
1915.....................
1916.....................
1917.....................
1918.....................
1919.....................
1920.....................
1921.....................
1922.....................
1923.....................
1924.....................
1915-1919.............
1920-1924............
1925.....................
Accident frequency rates
(per 1,000,000 hours* ex
posure)
Accident severity rales
(per 1,000 hours’ ex
posure)
Fullyear
Per Tem
Per Tem
work
ma po
ma po
ers Death nent rary To- Death nent rary To Death
disa disa tal
disa disa tal
bil bil
bil bil
ity ; ity
ity
ity
i
7
577
585
0.1
3.232
1
0.7 59.5 60.3
0.6
3,042
4
783 798
.4
11
1.2 i 85.8 87.4
2.6
34 1.940 1.9*2
.4
1.5 : 86.5 88.4
7,472
8
2.1
6
18 ! 7f»r> 780 i
5,734
1.0 , 43.9 45.2
2.1
.3
4. SOI
7 (589 M7 | . 1
1
.5 : 49.9 50.5
.4
3,880
531 S -1
5 • 525
.4 ! 44.8 45.3
.5
1
5 : 228 233 _____
1,912
.9 39.8 • 40.7
3,780
7
10 : 392 409 1 .6
.9 ; 34.6 ; 36.11 "” 3.7"
4,003
17 ! 443 460 ...... 1.4 ! 3*5. 4 37.8
7 i 285 294
4.093
2
!6 !! 23.2 • 24.0 " T o "
.2
24,081
20
77 14,745 4,842
1.7
.3
1.1 | 65.6 i 67.0
17,666
10
44 S1,869 1,923 i
.8 I 35.3 1 36.3 i 1.1
.2
2
4,471
.2
1.0 |
13 !| 324 339 ;
\24.2 ii 25.3 i
•»
Per-1 Tem-'
ma- 1 po- j
nent j rary 1To
disa disa- tal
bil bil- j
ity
ity !
i
0.7 !i 1.9
0.6
.0
! 4.2
1 .1 1
1.0
1.0 !I 4.0
.7
.7
3.5
.5
.7
1.6
.2
.5
1.2
1.6
1.0
.6
.8
.5
5.0
.7
1.3
.6
.5 i 1.7
.2
.7
.7 ! 3.1
.6
.5
2.2
.4 i 2.2
.9
1
HEAVY ROLLING MILLS
Heavy rolling mills show a steady change for the better in accident
experience. From 1910 to 1925 accident frequency dropped 79.4 per
cent and accident severity 53.8 per cent. Accident frequency in the
IRON AND STEEL INDUSTRY
55
third 5-year period is lower than that of the first period by 54 per
cent and accident severity by 36.1 per cent.
T able 56 .-A C C ID E N T S AND A C CIDEN T RATES IN HE A W ROLLING MILLS, 1907 TO
1925, BY YEARS AND 5-YEAR PERIODS
Number of cases
Year or period
1907.....................
1910.....................
1911.....................
1912.....................
1913.....................
1914.....................
1915.....................
1916.....................
1917.....................
1918.....................
1919.....................
1920.....................
1921.....................
1922.....................
1923.....................
1924.....................
1910-1914.............
1915-1919.............
1920-1924.............
1925.....................
Accident frequency rates
(per 1,000,000 hours’ ex
posure)
Accident severity rates
(per 1,000 hours’ ex
posure)
FullPer Tem
year
Per Tem
Per Tem
ma po
work
ma po
ma po
ers
nent rary To Death nent rary To Death nent rary To
Death disa
disa disa tal
disa tal
disa disa tal
bil bil
bil bil
bil bil
ity
ity
ity
ity
ity
ity
4,550
9,442
12,409
16,258
17,569
11,985
7,148
10,076
20,530
19,807
17, fs05
20,787
9,000
14,574
16,602
13,162
67,663
75, ICG
74,944
16,553
8
19
9
20
16
10
10
7
30
24
20
12
3
9
8
18
74
91
50
13
10 874
57 2,167
48 1,636
41 2,395
CO 1,910
55 899
596
24
44
959
87 1,784
67 1,900
53 1,711
34 1,638
15 485
752
56
36 882
789
39
261 9,007
275 6,950
180 4,546
50 747
892
2,243
1,693
2,456
1,986
964
630
1,010
1,901
1,991
1,784
1,684
503
817
926
846
9,342
7,316
4,776
810
0.6
.7
.2
.4
.3
.3
.5
.2
.5
.4
.4
.2
.1
.2
.2
.5
.4
.4
.2
.3
0.7
2.0
1.3
.8
1.1
1.5
LI
1.5
1.4
1.1
1.0
.5
.5
1.3
.7
1.0
1.3
1.2
.8
1.0
64.0
76.5
43.9
49.1
36.2
25.0
27.8
31.7
29.0
32.0
32.4
26.3
16.5
17.2
17.7
20.0
44.4
30.8
20.2
15.0
65.3
79.2
45.4
50.3
37.6
26.8
29.4
33.4
30.9
33.5
33.8
27.0
17.1
18.7
18.6
21.5
46.1
32l4
21.2
16.3
3.5
4.0
L4
2.3
1.7
1.5
2.8
1.4
2.9
2.4
2.3
1.2
.6
1.2
1.0
2.7
2.1
2.4
1.3
1.6
0.3
1.5
.9
.9
.6
1.0
1.0
1.3
1.0
.9
1.1
.4
.3
.9
.8
.8
.9
1.0
.6
1.1
1.0
1.0
.7
.7
.6
.4
.3
.5
.5
.5
.5
.4
.3
.4
.3
.4
.0
.5
.4
.3
4.8
6.5
3.0
3.9
2.9
2.9
4.1
3.2
4.4
3.8
3.9
2.0
1.2
2.5
2.1
3.9
3.6
3.9
2.3
3.0
PLATE HILLS
The downward movement of the accident rates in plate mills is
unusually regular. From 1910 to 1925 frequency declined 64.2 per
cent, and in the same interval severity declined 43.9 per cent. The
accident experience of the third 5-year period is below that of the first
41.1 per cent in frequency and 38.5 per cent in severity.
T a b l e 57.—ACCIDENTS AND A C CIDEN T BATES IN PLATE MILLS, 1907 TO 1925, BY YEARS
A N D 5-YEAR PERIODS
Number of cases
Year or period
1907.....................
1910.....................
1911.....................
1912.....................
1913.....................
1914.....................
1915.....................
1916.....................
1917.....................
1918.....................
1919.....................
1920.....................
1921.....................
1922.....................
1923.....................
1924.....................
1910-1914.............
1915-1919.............
1920-1924............
1925............... .....
Accident frequency rates
(per 1,000,000 hours’ ex
posure)
Accident severity rates
(per 1,000 hours' ex
posure)
FullPer Tcm-i
year
Per Tem
Per Tem
ma po- ii
work
ma po
ma po
ers I Death nent rary To Death nent rary To Death nent rary i Todisa disa tal
disa disa tal
disa disa tal
bil bil
bil bil
bil bil
ity
ity
ity
ity
ity
ity
1,915
3,287
4,390
5*128
5,430
3,476
2,086
4,681
6,764
9,650
11,892
11,928
4,580
6,198
8,731
6,454
27,711
35.073
37,891
5*734
4
7
6
2
3
2
1
3
4
8
9
9
3
2
5
3
19
25
22
6
12
27
15
25
25
13
9
15
22
19
24
23
7
26
24
18
105
89
98
15
G37
602
590
893
725
319
121
436
766
1,446
1,247
1,147
318
581
662
506
3,129
4,016
3,214
370
653
636
610
920
753
334
131
454
792
1,473
1,280
1,179
328
609
691
527
3,253
4,130
3,334
391
0.7
.7
.4
.1
.2
.2
.2
.2
.2
.3
.3
.3
.2
.1
.2
.2
.3
.2
.2
•4
2.1 110.9 113.7
2.7 61.1 64.5
1.1 44.8 46.3
1.6 58.0 59.7
1.5 44.5 46.2
1.2 30.6 32.0
1.4 19.3 20.9
1.1 31.0 32.3
1.1 37.7 39.0
.7 49.9 50.9
.7 35.0 36.0
.6 32.1 33.0
.5 23.1 23.8
1.4 31.2 32.7
.9 25.3 26.4
.9 26.1 27.2
1.6 48.0 49.9
.8 38.2 39.2
.9 28.3 29.4
.9 21.5 22.7
4.2
4.8
2.3
.8
1.1
1.1
1.0
1.3
1.2
1.7
1.5
1.5
1.3
.6
1.1
.9
1.8
1.4
1.2
2.1
3.7
1.6
1.0
2.0
1.2
1.0
.6
.7
.9
.6
.5
.6
.3
.9
1.2
.6
1.4
.6
.8
1.2
1.2
.7
.6
.8
.0
#5
.3
.5
.5
.7
.5
.4
.4
.5
.4
.5
.7
.5
.4
.4
i
9.1
6.6
3.9
3.0
2.9
2.6
1.9
2.5
2.6
3.0
2.5
2.5
2.0
2.0
2.7
2.0
3.9
2.5
2.4
3.7
56
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS IN UNITED STATES
PUDDLING MILLS
Accident data for puddling mills are available only for 1917 and
succeeding years. Such data are shown in Table 58.
T a b l e 5 8 . — A CCIDEN TS AND A C CIDEN T RATES I N PUDDLING M ILL3, 1917 TO 1925, BY
YEARS AND 5-YEAR PERIODS
Accident frequency rates
(per 1,000,000 hours' ex
posure)
Number of cases
Year or period
Fullyear
work
ers
1917.....................
1918.....................
1919.....................
1920.....................
3923.....................
1924.....................
3917-1919.............
1920-1924.............
1925.....................
4,129
2,712
1,619
2,007
1,620
814
8,460
4,406
1,108
Per Tem
ma po
rary
nent
Death disa disa
bil bil
ity
ity
1
3
1
4
Tem
!ii Perma- po
To Death: nent rary
tal
i disa- disa
; bil- bil
|! ity
ity
10 572 •583
4 370 377
1 140
141
254
10 243
3 280 283
4
156
160
15 1,082 1,101
9
797 806
6
172
166
0.1
.4
.2
.2
.............!
0.8
.5
.2
1.7
.6
1.6
.6
.7
1.8
46.2
45.5
28.8
40.3
57.6
63.9
42.6
fiO.3
49.0
Accident severity rates
(per 1,000 hours' ex
posure)
Per Tem
ma po
To Death nent rary To
disa disa tal
tal
bil bil
ity
ity
47.1
46.4
29.0
42.2
1 58.2
i 65. 5
: 43.4
i 61.0
I 51.7
1
0. o
2.2
0.6
.4
1.0
.1
.*
.9
1.1
1.2
.4
.8
2.8
0.6 ' 1.7
3.2
.6
.4
.5
2.4
.6
1.0
2.1
1.2
2.4
1.9
.6
1.9
1.1
.9
3.7
SHEET MILLS
At the outset of the period covered the sheet mills have rather
low accident rates. From that point there is an irregular but con
tinuous decline. From 1910 to 1925 frequency declines 46.1 per
cent and severity 60.5 per cent. The accident experience of the
third 5-year period is below that of the first 31.4 per cent in fre
quency and 19.2 per cent in severity.
T a b l e 5 9 . — ACCIDENTS AND ACCIDENT RATES IN SHEET MILLS, 1907 TO 1925, BY
YEARS AND 5-YEAR PERIODS
Number of cases
Year or period
Fullyear
workers
1907.................
1910..................
1911..................
1912..................
1913.................
1914.................
1915.................
1916.................
1917..................
1918..................
1919.................
1920..............
1921..................
1922..................
1923..................
1924.................
1910-1914....
1915-1919....
1920-1924....
1925..................
2,211
18,501
29,710
32,087
25,938
22,187
16,266
24,722
26,855
17,278
19,214
24,279
15,845
24,391
29,814
28,247
128,423
104,335
121,552
32,043
Per
ma
Death nent
disa
bility
2
28
9
19
21
11
7
13
11
3
3
14
5
10
14
7
88
37
50
10
8
52
71
67
67
51
23
62
38
17
32
59
38
66
61
54
308
172
278
56
Accident frequency rates
(per 1,000,000 hours' ex
posure)
Accident severity rates
(per 1,000 hours' ex
posure)
Per Tem
Tem
Per Tem
ma po
po
ma po
rary Total Death nent rary Total Death nent rary Total
disa disa
disa
disa disa
bility bility
bility
bility bility
274
3,310
3,625
5,497
3,717
3,113
1,901
2,655
2,687
937
1,854
2,979
1,702
2,951
2,390
2,457
19,262
10,034
12,479
3,096
284
3,390
3,705
5,583
3,805
3,175
1,931
2,730
2,736
i 957
! 1,889
! 3,052
i 1,745
|3,027
: 2,465
i 2,518
19,658
10,243
12,807
■3,162
1
0.3
.5
.1
.2
.3
.2
.1
.2
.1
.1
.1
.2
.1
.1
.2
.1
.2
.1
.1
.1
1.2
. .9
.8
.7
.9
.8
.5
.8
.5
.3
.6
.8
.8
.9
.7
.6
.9
.5
.8
.6
43.3
59.6
40.7
57.1
47.8
46.8
39.0
35.8
33.4
18.1
32.0
40.1
35.8
40.3
27.6
29.0
50.0
32.1
34.2
32.2
44.8
61.0
41.6
58.0
49.0
47.8
39.6
36.8
34.0
18.5
32.7
41.0
36.7
41.3
28.5
29.7
51.1
32.7
35.1
32.9
1.8
2.9
.7
1.2
1.6
.9
.9
.6
.8
.3
.3
1.2
.6
.8
1.0
.5
1.4
.7
.8
.6
1.9
.8
.7
.7
.5
.5
.3
.5
.6
.5
.4
.7
.5
.8
.7
.7
.6
.4
.7
.4
0.4
.6
.4
.7
.6
.6
.5
.5
.5
.2
.4
.8
.5
.9
.5
.5
.6
.4
.6
.6
4.1
4.3
1.8
2.6
2.7
2.0
1.7
1.6
1.9
1.0
1.1
2.3
1.6
2.5
2.2
1.7
2.6
1.5
2.1
1.7
IRON AND STEEL. INDUSTRY
57
ROD MILLS
The annual groups of workers in rod mills are not large enough to
give an entirely satisfactory basis for accident rates. However,
comparing the two 5-year periods shows declines from the first to
the second of 40 per cent in frequency and 52.8 per cent in severity.
T a b l e 6 0 . — ACCIDENTS AND ACCIDEN T RATES IN ROD MILLS, 1915 TO 1925, BY YEARS
AND 5-YEAR PERIODS
Number of cases
Year or period
Fullyear
work
ers
1915..................... 2,062
1916..................... 2,493
1917..................... 4,951
1918..................... 3,2*9
3919..................... 2,463
1920..................... 3,729
1S21..................... 2,099
1922..................... 2,6-45
1923..................... 3,224
1924..................... 2,828
1915-1919............ 15,218
1920-1924............ 14,425
1925..................... 2,907
Accident frequency rates
(per 1,000,000 hours’ ex
posure)
Per Tem
ma po
nent rary To Death
Death disadisa tal
bilbil
ity
ity
7
5
2
1
1
1
1
14
4
2
10 229 239
16 259 275
699. 729
23
11 350 366
10
184
196
9 344
354
6
126 132
5
196 202
10 189 200
7
127
135
70 1,721 1,805
37 982 1,023
7
146
155
0.5
.5
.3
.1
.1
.1
.1
.3
.1
.2
Accident severity rates
(per 1,000 hours’ ex
posure)
Per Tem
ma po
nent rary To Death
disa- disa tal
bil- bil
ity
ity
1.6
2.1
1.5
1.1
1.4
.8
1.0
.6
1.1
.8
1.5
.9
.8
37.0
34.6
47.1
35.9
24.9
30.7
20.0
24.7
20.2
15.0
37.7
22.7
16.7
38.6
36.7
49.1
37.5
26.6
31.6
21.0
25.4
21.4
15.9
39.5
23.7
17.8
2.8
3.1
1.6
.5
.8
.6
.7
1.8
.6
1.4
Per Tem
ma po
nent rary To
disa disa tal
bil bil
ity
ity
0.7
1.9
1.4
1.0
1.4
.5
.7
.5
1.3
.7
1.3
.8
1.0
0.5
.5
.5
.6
.5
.4
.3
.5
.3
.4
.6
.4
.3
1.2
2.4
4.7
4.7
3.5
1.4
1.0
1.8
2.2
1.8
3.6
1.7
2.6
TUBE MILLS
Tube mills show a very marked decline in accident frequency.
This is undoubtedly due in considerable measure to the effective use
of a foreman's bonus 1 for accident reduction in some of the concerns
covered by this table.
From 1910 to 1925 accident frequency declined 71.6 per cent,
but accident severity did not change. When the 5-year periods
are considered, however, it becomes apparent, that both frequency
and severity have declined over the period as a whole.
>See United States Bureau of Labor Statistics Bui. No. 298, p. 158.
58
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS IN UNITED STATES
T a b l e 61.—ACCIDENTS AND ACCIDEN T RATES IN TUBE M ILLS, 1907 TO 1925, B Y
YEARS AND 5-YEAR PERIODS
Number of cases
Accident frequency rates
(per 1,000,000 hours' ex
posure)
Accident severity rates
(per 1,000 hours* ex
posure)
»
Per Tem
Per- |Temma po
ma- : ponent rary To Death nent! rary To ;Death
Death disa
disa tal
disa- j disa- tal
bil bil
bil- : bii
i
ity ! ity
ity
ity
1!
j
i
i
1907..................... 2,007 i
4 ! 575
0. i 9o. 5 96.4
580 0.2
1
1.0
1910..................... 9,7(i7 i
3
25 ;1,608 1,636
.9 ‘ 54.9 55.9
.1
.6
1911..................... 13,676
1
53 12,080 jf t 134
.2
1.3 50.7 52.0
.03
1912..................... 17,080 | 10
60 |2,154 2,224 . .5
1.2 i 42.0 43.7
1.3
1913..................... 18, ‘J09 j
15
72 1,586 1,673
.3
1.3 i 28.0 iI 29.6
1.6
1914..................... 13,906 !
7
39 1,195 1,241
.2
.9 28.6 |20.7
1.0
1915..................... 7,109 j
2
21 1! 182 205
1.0 ; 8.5
.1
9.6
.6
1918..................... 11,355 I
2
26: 425 , 453
.4
.8 12.5!1 13.4
.1
1917..................... 19,819 :
17
51 i 1,967 12,035
.3
.9 33.1 134.3
1.7
1918.....................!! 18,499 i
41 i11,127 1,176
8
.9
.7 20.3 I! 21.1
.1
1919.....................j i 18,326 :
i 21.3
39 11,127 11,172
.2
.7 20.4 1
1.0
&
1920..................... 22,666 | 13
71 2.166 2,250
1.1
.2
1.0 ; 31.9 ': 33.1
1921.....................:1 14,622 I
4
.8 19.1 ! 20.0
35 ; 840 11 879
.1
.5
1922.....................i 19,635 .
8
40 1,332 il, 378
.7 . 22.7 23.5
.8
.1
1923.....................jI 24,766 :
8
54 -1,292 ;1,354
.7 j 17.4 i 18.2
.6
.1
1924..................... ■22, CiVi
14
68 jl, 185 11,267
; 18.4
1.2
.2
1.0 : 17.2 |
1910-1914............ !! 73,338
36
249 8,623 ;8,908
1.1 ; 39.2 40.5
1.0
1915-1919.............1 75,108 •
178 i4,825 |o,041
38
.8
21.4
:
22.4
1.0
.2
1920-1924.............j104,577
45 268 jO, 815 !7,128
.9 ! 21.7 : 22.7
.1
.9
64 ! l , 142 1,216
.1
1925.................... j 25,511 >
10
.8 14.9 ] 15.9
.8
i
I
i
Year or period
Fullvear
workers
Per Tem
ma po
nent rary To
disa disa tal
bil bil
ity
ity
0.6
.4
.8
.8
.7
.6
.6
.3
.5
.4
.6
.5
.5
.6
.6
.6
.7
.6
.6
.6
1.5
3.1
.7
1.7
1.5
.5
2.6
.5
.4
2.7
.4
2.0
1.4
.2
1.0
.3
.4
2.6
.3
1.6
.3
1.9
.5
2.1
.4
1.4
.4
1.6
.3 i 1.6
.3 i 2.1
.5 ! 2.2
1.8
.3
.4 ! 1.9
.3 I 1.7
i
UNCLASSIFIED ROLLING MILLS
The group of unclassified rolling mills is of such miscellaneous
make-up that it has no great significance except as confirmatory of
the general downward trend almost universal in the industry.
From 1910 to 1925 accident frequency declined 78.8 per cent and
accident severity 68 per cent. The experience of the third 5-year
period is below that of the first, 46 per cent in frequency and 27 per
cent in severity.
T a b l e 63 .—ACCIDENTS AND AC CIDEN T RATES IN ROLLIN G M ILLS, 1910 TO 1925. BY
YEARS AND 5-YEAR PERIODS
Number of cases
Year or period
Fullyear
workers;
Accident frequency rates
(per 1,000,000 hours' ex
posure)
Accident severity rates
(per 1,000 hours' ex
posure)
Per- TemS Per- Tem
P er-! Tein-I
mapo
211a- j po- 1
: 111a- po
Death rtent J rary Total Death; nent rary Total Death nent j rary !Total
disa- i disa
disa-1 disa
! disa- disa
i biiity bility
bility; biiity
bility] biiity
1
1910................. 14,434
1911................. 21,201
22,909
1913................. 23,382
1914.................. 22,873
1915.................. ».»67
1916.................. 8,082
1917.................. 27,978
1918................. 37,163
1919................. 25.106
1920................. 21,055
1921................. 12,068
1922.................. 19,382
1923.................. 26,357
1924.................. 21,664
1910-1914......... 104,829
1915-1919......... 102,696
1920-1924......... 109,555
1925................. 26.353
!'
;1
:'
1
!
1
|
I
!
!
!
!
15
16
16
24
11
2
5
10
22
14
16
4
10
11
11
82
53
55
9
49
76
76
84
75
14
25
eo
74
45
68
36
59
92
77
360
218
345
59
j 4,861
! 3,388
1 4,660
' 5,051
! 3,541
i 475
922
1 4,285
4,015
I 2,967
i 2,785
1,479
2,416
2,830
2,193
21,501
12.644
12; 631
1,836
4,925
! 3,480
4,752
' 5.159
! 3,627
| 491
! 952
4,335
4,111
3.026
2,869
1,519
2,485
2,933
2,277
21,943
12,915
13,027
1.904
, 1.1 112.3 i113.7 i
! 1.2 53.2 ji 54.7 |
1
1
1.1 67.8 i! 69.1 |
: 1.2 72.0 73.5 ;
1.1 51.6 ij 52.9 :
i 1.1 36.2 ! 37.5 ii
1.0 38.0 ; 39.2 !
. .7 50.8 ! 51.6
: .7 36.0 36.9
.6 39.4 40.2
i 1.1 44.1 i 45.4
! 1.0 40.9 | 42.0
! 1.0 41.5 , 42.7
1.2 35.8 37.1
: 1.2 33.5 |34.9
: 1.2 ; 71.8 i 73.3
: .7 41.0 : 41.9
. 1.0 38.4 ; 39.6
.8 23.2
l 24- 1
-1 !
0.3
.3
.2
.3
.2
.2
.2
.1
.2
.2
» .3
-1
.2
.1
.2
.3
.2
.2
1.6 i 1.3
2.1
1 . 5 ; 1.1 ji -7
1.5 i 1.0
.9
2.0 ; 1.1 ; 1.0
.8
.7
1.0
.5
.4
•»
1.2
.6
.7
.7
.7
.7
1.2
.5
.5
1.1
.4
.0
1.5
.9
.0
.7
.9
.7
.9
1.0
.7
.8
1.3
.6
1.3
.6
1.0
1.7
1.1
.9
.5
.6
1.0
1.0
hi
.6
.4
.7
.5
5.0
3.3
3.4
4.1
2.5
1.8
2.5
2.1
2.2
2.1
2.9
2.3
2.6
2.7
2.9
3.7
2.1
2.7
1.6
IRON AND STEEL INDUSTRY
59
FABRICATING SHOPS
For fabricating shops both accident frequency and accident
severity rates testify that the production of the structural elements
of bridges and building is a matter of considerable hazard.
The year to year changes are rather irregular, with a drop in fre
quency from 1910 to 1925 of 87.4 per cent; and in severity of 68.5
per cent.
From the first 5-year period to the third, frequency declined 34 per
cent and severity 29.4 per cent.
T a b l e 6 3 .-A C C ID E N T S AND ACCIDEN T
RATES IN FABR IC A TIN G SHOPS, 1907 TO
1923, B Y YEARS A N D 5-YEAR PERIODS
Number of cases
Year or period
Fullyear
workers
12
33
92
119
104
77
15
25
67
29
27
68
45
41
52
63
425
163
269
35
6
11
8
32
34
13
3
7
21
22
6
14
5
14
9
5
98
59
47
3
Accident severity rates
(per 1,000 hours* ex
posure)
Tem
Per Tem
Per Tem
ma po
po
ma po
rary Total Death nent rary Total Death nent rary Total
disa
disa disa
disa disa
bility
bility bility
bility bility
Per
ma
Death nent
disa
bility
1907.................. 2,081
1910.................. 8,713
1911.................. 19,530
1912.................. 28,988
1913.................. 30,470
1914.................. 20^837
1915.................. 3,818
1916.................. 4,980
1917.................. 23,614
1918.................. 29,166
1919.................. 19,407
1920.................. 17,216 ■
1921.................. 12,
1922................. 16.184
1923................. 22,547
.1924.................. 10,626
1910-1914......... 108,538
1915-1919 ..., 80,935
1920-1924......... 89,880
1925................. 15,718
Accident frequency rates
(per 1,000,000 hours* ex
posure)
571
3,901
3,244
6,890
7,368
4,103
471
703
4,192
5,077
2,752
% 721
1,971
3,381
4.019
1,787
25,506
13,195
13,879
857
589
3,945
3,344
7,041
7,506
4,193
489
735
4,280
5,128
2,785
2,803
2,021
3,436
4.030
1,855
26,029
13,417
14,195
895
1.0
.4
.1
.4
.4
.2
.3
.5
.3
.3
.1
.2
.1
.3
.1
.1
.8
.2
.1
1.9
1.3
1.6
1.4
1.1
L2
1.3
1.7
.9
.3
.5
1.3
1.2
.8
.8
1.0
1.3
.7
1.0
.7
91.5
149.2
55.4
79.2
sa 6
65.6
41.1
47.1
59.2
58.0
47.3
52.7
50.9
69.6
59.4
28.3
78.$
54.3
51.5
18.2
94.4
150.9
57.1
81.0
82.1
67.0
42.7
49.3
6a 4
58.6
47.9
54.2
52.2
7a 7
60-3
29.4
79.9
55.2
52.7
19.0
5.8
15
.7
2.1
2.2
1.2
1.6
2.8
1.8
1.5
.7
1.6
.8
1.7
.8
.5
1.7
1.5
1.0
.4
2.9
1.0
1.0
.9
.8
1.0
.6
.7
.6
.5
.3
1.1
.7
.8
.7
.8
.9
.5
.8
.9
0.8
1.9
.6
.8
.8
.7
.7
.9
.7
.6
.5
.6
.6
.8
.7
.5
.6
.6
.4
9.5
5.4
2.3
3.8
3.8
2.9
2.9
4.4
3.1
2.6
1.5
3.3
2.1
3.3
2.2
1.8
3.4
2.6
2.4
1.7
FORGE SHOPS
Accident data for forge shops are available only for 1917 and suc
ceeding years. Such data are shown in Table 64.
T a b l e 6 4 . — ACCIDENTS A N D A C C ID E N T RATES IN FORGE SHOPS, 1917 TO 1925, B Y
YEARS A N D o-YEAR PERIODS
Number of cases
Year or period
Fullyear
workers
1917..................... 3,881
1918..................... 6,408
1919-.-................ 2,169
1920..................... % 197
1921.....................
902
1922..................... 1,514
2,049
192 3
192 4
2,272
1910-1914............. 6,249
1915-1919............. 12,667
1920-1924............. 8,901
1925..................... 3,794
Accident frequency rates
(per 1,000,000 hours* ex
posure)
Per Tem
Per- jjTcmma po
ma- i! porary
T
o
nent
1 rary
nent
Death disa
disa tal Death disa : disabil bil
bil ; bility i ity
ity
ity
3
4
2
1
2
1
8
9
4
3
15
26
4
5
3
8
9
9
19
45
34
11
917
1,009
257
380
107
233
309
567
1,080
2,189
1,596
893
935
1,039
263
385
111
243
319
576
1,107
1243
1,634
907
a3
.2
.3
.4
.4
.2
.4
.S
.1
.3
1.3
1.4
.6
.8
1.1
1.8
1.5
1.3
1.0
1.2
1.3
1.0
! 78.8
! 53.2
39.5
58.6
39.5
51.3
50.2
83.2
57.6
57.6
i 59.8
; 78.5
Accident severity rates
(per 1,000 hours’ ex
posure)
Per Tem
ma po
To Death nent rary To
tal
disa disa tal
bil bil
ity
ity
80.4
1.5
1.2
54.8
40.4
1.8
59.4
41.0 ~'~Z2
53.5
2.6
51.9
1.0
84.5
59.0 “ " i e "
59.0
1.4
.9
61.2
79.7
1.6
1.6
1.1
.3
.8
1.0
1.7
.9
L5
.6
1.1
1.2
.9
1.3
.7
.6
.7
.7
.9
.7
1.2
.7
.9
.9
.8
4.4
3.0
2.7
1.5
3.9
5.2
2.6
2.7
3.9
3.4
3.0
3.3
60
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS IN UNITED STATES
WIRE DRAWING
From 1910 to 1925 accident frequency in wire drawing declined
69.2
per cent and accident severity 55.8 per cent. From the first
5-year period frequency dropped 63.5 per cent and severity 28.1
per cent.
When the 5-year periods are considered they show a rather remark
able regularity of decrease. So far as severity is concerned this is
unquestionably due to the replacement of old equipment by im
proved machinery, which is more efficient and much safer.
T a b l e 65.—ACCIDENTS AND ACCIDEN T RATES IN W IRE D R A W IN G , 1910 TO 1925, BY
YEARS AND 5-YEAR PERIODS
Number of cases
Year or period
FuIIyear
workers
1910.................
1911.................
1912..................
1913.................
1914.................
1915.................
1916..................
1917..................
1918.................
1919.................
1920.................
1921..................
1922.................
1923..................
1924.................
1910-1914.........
1915-1919.........
1920-1924.........
1925..................
10,370
11,819
13,059
12,769
11,468
7,859
9,551
13,727
12,790
8,739
13,243
9,186
13,836
14,783
31,567
59,481
52,666
62,614
13,758
Per-1
maDeath nent
disa
bility
5
4
4
6
2
1
4
3
4
2
4
3
2
12
11
2
84
89
104
59
47
62
104
63
60
32
63
36
53
54
44
383
321
250
47
Accident frequency rates
(per 1,000,000 hours*
exposure)
Accident severity rates
(per 1,000 hours' ex
posure)
Per Tem
Tem
Per Tem
po
ma po
ma po
rary Total Death nent rary Total Death nent rary Total
disa disa
disa
disa disa
bility bility
bility bility
bility
2,323
2,270
2,627
2,542
1,742
1,831
1,764
1,700
991
626
1,252
527
837
■ 919
j 711
ill, 504
I 6,912
1 4,246
! 938
i
2,412
2,363
2,735
2,607
1,791
1,894
1,872
1,766
1,055
658
1,317
567
893
975
755
11,908
7,215
4,507
987
0.2
.1
.1
.2
.1
.3
.1
.1
.1
.1
.1
.1
.4
.1
.1
.1
.1
2.7
2.3
2.7
1.5
1.4
2.6
3.6
1.5
1.6
1.2
1.6
1.3
1.3
1.2
1.3
2.1
2.0
1.3
1.1
74.7
59.0
67.1
66.4
50.6*
77.7
61.6
41.3
25.8
23.9
31.5
19.1
20.2
20.7
20.5
63.5
43.7
22.6
22.7
77.6
61.4
69.9
68.1
52.1
80.3
65.3
42.9
27.5
25.1
33.2
20.6
21.6
21.9
21.8
65.7
45.8
24.0
23.9
1.0
.6
.6
.9
.4
.3
.8
.4
.6
.9
.4
.3
.7
.5
.4
.3
2.6
2.0
2.5
1.1
1.3
2.4
2.9
1.0
1.2
1.0
1.7
1.4
1.3
1.2
1.8
1.9
1.6
1.5
1.2
0.7
.6
.7
.7
.5
.8
.6
.6
.4
.4
.5
.4
.4
.4
.3
.6
.5
.4
.4
4.3
3.2
3.8
2.7
2.2
3.5
4.3
2.0
2.2
1.4
2.5
2.7
2.1
1.9
2.1
3.2
2.6
2.3
1.9
ELECTRICAL DEPARTMENT
The accident experience of the electrical department does not run
a uniform course and is less satisfactory in its reductions than is indi
cated as possible by the experience of some of the plants.
From 1910 to 1925 frequency declined 78.9 per cent and severity
9.5 per cent. If the 5-year periods be considered, there was a decline
from the first period to the third of 56.5 per cent in frequency and
52.4
per cent in severity.
IRON AND STEEL INDUSTRY
61
T able 66.—ACCIDENTS AND ACCIDEN T RATES IN TH E E LE C T R IC A L D E P A R T
M EN T, 1910 TO 1925, BY YEARS AN D frYEAR PERIODS
Accident frequency rates
(per 1,000,000 hours’ ex
posure)
Number of cases
Year or period
191 0
191 1
191 2
191 3
191 4
191 5
191 6
191 7
191 8
191 9
192 0
192 1
192 2
1 9 2 3 -...
10 2 4
wio^oiY.
1915-1919
1920-1924
1925....... .
Accident severity rates
(per 1,000 hours* ex
posure)
FullPer Tem
Per Tem
Per Tem
year
ma po
ma po
ma po
work
nent rary To Death nent rary To Death nent rary To
ers
Death disa
disa disa^ tal
disa disa tal
disa tal
i
bil bilbil bil
bil bil
ity
ity
ity
ity
ity
ity
1,526
2,700
3,796
4,012
2,327
612
1,635
4,385
4,747
4,644
4,473
3,025
287
368
544
524
315
25
301
603
505
503
411
193
169
228
184
495
301
23
289
571
403
188
164
215
171
1,957
1,851 1,
1,141 1,185
159
148
4,325
3,989
14,921
16,023
19,339
4,011
0.4
.4
.5
1.2
1.1
.5
1.2
1.2
.7
.9
.4
.2
.4
.4
.6
.8
1.0
.4
.5
0.7
1.1
1.3
1.2
.9
.5
1.2
1.2
.7
.5
.2
.3
.1
.6
.5
1.1
.8
.4
.4
61.6
43.0
45.9
41.1
43.1
12.5
58.9
43.4
34.1
34.7
30.0
20.7
15.5
16.6
14.3
45.2
38.5
19.7
12.3
62.7
44.5
47.7
43.5
45.1
13.5
61.3
45.8
35.5
36.1
30.6
21.2
16.0
17.6
15.4
47.1
40.3
20.5
13.2
2.6
2.2
3.1
7.0
6.9
3.3
7.3
7.3
4.2
5i6
2.2
1.3
2.3
2.3
3.5
4.6
5.7
2.4
3.0
0.9
.9
1.7
1.2
1.0
.2
.4
1.3
1.1
.9
.1
.6
.1
.4
.4
1.2
1.0
.3
.6
0.7
.5
.5
.5
.5
.1
.8
.7
.4
.5
.4
.3
.4
.3
.3
.5
.5
.3
.3
4.2
3.6
5.3
8.7
8.4
3.6
8.5
9.3
5.7
11
2.2
2.8
3.0
&2
6.3
7.2
3.0
3.9
MECHANICAL DEPARTMENT
The mechanics employed about steel mills are exposed to a
considerable hazard. Much of their work is urgent and difficult
repair work which must be carried on under such conditions of lighting
and location as add seriously to the danger.
From 1910 to 1925 there is recorded a decline of 70.6 per cent
in accident frequency and 27.0 per cent in accident severity. The
5-year periods show from the first to the third a 62.2 per cent drop in
frequency and a 30 per cent in severity.
T a b l e 67.—ACCIDENTS AND
A C CIDEN T RATES IN THE M ECH ANICAL D E P A R T
M EN T, 1908 TO 1925, BY YEARS AND 5-YEAR PERIODS
Number of cases
! FullYear or period : year
workers
1908..................
1910..................
1911..................
1912..................
1913..................
1914..................
1915..................
1916..................
1917..................
1918..................
1919..................
1920..................
1921..................
1922..................
1923.................
1924..................
1910-1914.........
1915-1919..........
1920-1924.........
1925..................
Per
ma
!Death nent
disa
bility
1.619
15,927
17,863
21,591
24,009
17,772
5,987
16,920
33,328
58,002
40,609
34,648
25,036
30,324
37,449
31,331
97,161
154,846
162,121
36,666
4
18
13
19
36
18
3
9
43
54
45
26
21
25
37
29
104
154
138
31
2063c—27------5
7
56
80
95
103
60
27
86
134
162
83
68
41
75
102
80
392
492
366
71
Accident frequency rates j Accident severity rates
(per 1,000,000 hours’ : (per 1,000 hours’ ex
exposure)
posure)
1
|
! Per- Tem
Per Tem
Tem
ma po
j ma- po
po
I
rary Total Death : nent rary Total;Death nent rary Total
disa disa
disa disa
disa
bility bility
bility bility
bility
430
2,618
3,015
4,040
4,972
3,149
573
2,245
5,201
6,054
4,483
3,767
1,703
1,626
2,045
1,855
17,794
18,556
10,996
1,717
441
2,692
3,108
4,154
5,111
3,227
603
i, 340
5,378
6,270
4,611
3,861
1,775
1,726
2,184
1,964
18,292
19,202
11,510
1,819
0.8
.4
.2
.3
.5
.3
.2
.2
.4
.3
.4
.3
.3
.3
.3
.3
.4
.3
.3
.3
1.4
1.2
1.5
1.5
1.4
1.1
1.5
1.7
1.3
.9
.7
.7
.5
.8
.9
.8
1.3
1.1
.8
.7
89.1
54.8
56.3
62.4
69.0
59.1
31.9
44.2
52.0
34.8
36.8
36.2
22.7
17.9
18.2
17.8
61.0
39.9
22.6
15.6
91.3
66.4
58.0
64.2
70.9
60.5
33.6
46.1
53.7
36.0
37.9
37.2
23.6
19.0
19.4
18.9
62.7
41.3
23.7
16.6
4.9
2.3
1.5
1.8
2.9
2.0
1.0
1.1
2.6
1.9
2.2
1.5
1.7
1.6
2.0
1.7
2.1
2.0
1.7
1.7
0.6
.9
LI
1.2
1.0
1.0
.7
1.5
1.0
1.0
.7
.6
.5
.7
1.0
.6
1.1
1.0
.7
.7
1.1
.5
.7
.8
.9
.7
.4
.6
.8
.4
.5
.5
.4
.3
.3
.3
.8
.5
.4
.3
6.6
3.7
3.3
3.8
4.8
3.7
2.1
3.2
4.4
3.3
3.4
2.6
2.5
2.6
3.3
2.6
4.0
3.5
2.8
2.7
62
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS IN UNITED STATES
POWER HOUSES
The shift in the relatively low accident rates of the power-housa
department is best shown by consideration of the 5-year periods.
From the first to the third, frequency declined 49.4 per cent and
severity 11.5 per cent.
T a b l e 68.—ACCIDENTS AND ACCIDEN T RATES IN POWER HOUSES, 1917 TO 1925, BY
YEARS AND 5-YEAR PERIODS
Accident frequency rates
(per 1,000,000 hours' ex
posure)
Number of casos
Year or period
Fullyear
work
ers
Per Tem
ma po
rary
nent
Death disa disa
bil bil
ity
ity
1917..................... 4,552
1918..................... 3,699
1919..................... 4,093
1920..................... 4,591
1921..................... 2,344
1922..................... 3,361
1923..................... 4,070
1924..................... 4,511
1912-1914............. 8,063
1915-3919............. 13,219
1920-1924............. 18,878
1925.................... 4,218
7
9
11
4
2
7
10
2
1
6
5
6
27
17
3
5*
4
8
21
21
18
4
210
254
213
172
77
115
117
157
544
739
638
183
Accident severity rates
(per 1,000 hours' ex
posure)
Per Tem
ma po
To Death nent rary To Death
tal
disa disa tal
bil bil
ity
ity
224
273
226
177
79
120
127
170
571
787
673
190
0.5
.8
.9
.3
.3
.5
.4
.2
.7
.8
.2
0.5
.9
.2
.1
.5
.3
.6
.9
.5
.3
.3
15.4
22.9
17.3
12.5
ia 9
11.4
9.6
11.6
22.4
18.6
11.3
14.5
Per Tem
ma po
nent rary T o
disa disa tal
bil bil
ity
ity
16.4
3.1
1.0
4.9
.6
24.6
5.4
18.4
.1
12.9
1.7
0)
11.2
1.7
“ ’.y
11.9
10.4 ’ “ ’ L T
.4
2.2
12.6
.6
23.5
1.5
.8
19.8
4.1
.6
11.9
1.8
.3
L4
15.0
.8
0.3
.4
.2
.2
.2
.2
.1
.2
.3
.3
.2
.3
4.4
5.8
5.7
1.9
1.9
.9
3.4
3.0
2.8
5.0
2.3
2.0
iLess than one-tenth of 1.
YARDS
The yard department presents many difficulties in accident reduc
tion. The fact that the units of hazard are moving from place to
place and that often conditions render vision difficult or impossible
complicates the situation. Inspection of the accident rates shows
that these difficulties have not been entirely overcome.
From 1910 to 1925 frequency declined 23.4 per cent and severity
18.5 per cent. The accident experience of the third 5 -year period is
below that of the first, 48 per cent in frequency and 31.7 per cent in
severity.
IRON AND STEEL INDUSTRY
T able
63
ACCIDEN TS A N D A C C ID E N T RATES IN Y ARDS, 1807 TO 1925, B Y YEARS
A N D 5-YEAR PERIODS
Number of cases
Year or period
year
work
ers
1907.....................
1910.....................
1911.....................
1912.....................
1913.....................
191 4
191 5
1916.....................
1917.....................
1918.....................
1919.....................
1920.....................
1921.....................
1922.....................
1923.....................
1924.....................
1910-1914.............
1915-1919.............
1920-1924... ____
1925.............. . . . .
2,618
15,932
9,085
11,180
11,859
7,879
3,843
7,853
15,732
16,354
10,108
12,087
5,840
7,969
8,381
8,269
55,932
53,890
42,546
7,683
Accident frequency rates
(per 1,000,000 hours' ex
posure)
Accident severity rates
(per 1,000 hours' ex
posure)
Per- Tem
Per Tem
Per Tem
mar po
ma po
ma po
nent rary To Death nent rary To
Death nent rary T o Death disa
disa tal
disa disa tal
disa disa tal
bil bil
bil bil
bil bil
ity
ity
ity
ity
ity
ity
5
40
11
23
28
10
12
36
33
25
10
6
15
12
10
112
106
53
12
10
49
43
64
50
87
15
56
77
62
48
33
22
16
35
19
243
258
125
24
509
2,054
1,336
1,940
1,807
975
417
929
1,792
1,526
1,021
922
422
536
693
617
8,112
5,685
3,190
755
524
2,143
1,390
2,027
1,885
1,022
432
997
1,905
1,621
1,094
965
450
567
740
644
8,467
6^049
3,366
791
0.6
.8
.4
.7
.8
.4
.5
.8
.7
.8
.3
.3
.6
.5
.4
.7
.7
.4
.5
1.2
1.0
1.6
1.9
1.4
1.6
1.8
2.4
1.6
1.2
1.6
.9
1.3
.7
1.4
.8
1.5
1.6
1.0
1.0
64.8
43.0
49.0
57.8
52.0
41.2
38.2
39.4
38.0
31.1
33.7
25.4
24.1
22.4
27.5
24.9
48.6
35.2
25.0
32.8
66.6
44.8
51.0
60.4
54.2
43.2
37.5
42.3 ‘ "
40.4
33.0
36.1
26.6
25.7
23.7
29.4
26.1
50.8
37.5
26.4
34.3
3.8
6.0
2.4
4.1
4.7
2.5
IT
4.6
4.0
19
1.7
2.1
3.8
2.9
2.4
4.0
3.9
2.5
3.1
2.6
1.0
1.9
1.4
1.0
1.4
1.0
2.2
1.7
1.2
1.9
1.3
1.9
.5
1.9
.9
1.4
1.6
1.2
1.6
LI
.5
.7
.8
.7
.6
.4
.6
.6
.6
.5
.5
.4
.5
.6
.6
.4
.6
7.5
6.5
5.0
6.3
6.4
4.5
1.4
5.9
6.9
5.8
7.4
3.4
4.4
4.8
5.2
3.8
6.0
6.1
4.1
5.8
ERECTION OF STRUCTURAL STEEL
The small size of the exposure from year to year impairs the
significance of this group but the 5-year periods may be regarded as
giving a true picture of conditions. From the first 5-year period to
the third, accident frequency rates declined from 121.7 to 97.5, or
19.9 per cent. Accident severity rates dropped from 31.4 to 19.9, or
36.6 per cent.
Thus far no other industrial group has been found which has a
ratio as high as these for the erection of structural steel. It remains
the most hazardous occupation after a steady and fairly large
reduction.
Oregon worked out rates for logging and logging railways in 1920,
and the severity rates for that year were 21.6 for logging and 20.2 for
logging railways. In the same year erection of structural steel had
a severity rate of 25.9. There is a very wide gap between these
rates and the next lower ones.
This situation in erection work is due to two important elements:
( 1) Activities of this nature constantly shift from place to place,
making it difficult to apply the methods which have been found
effective in settled industry. (2 ) There is nearly always strong
pressure for speed both from the owner and from the contractor. It
is therefore to be considered gratifying that there is evidence of
material improvement.
64
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS IN UNITED STATES
T a b l e 7 0 . — ACCIDENTS AN D ACC ID E N T RATES IN THE ERECTION OF STRU CTURAL
STEEL, 1915 TO 1925, BY YEARS AN D 5-YEAR PERIODS
Number of cases
Year or period
Fullyear
work
ers
Accident frequency rates
(per 1,000,000 hours' ex
posure)
Accident severity rates
(per 1,000 hours' ex
posure)
Per Tem
Per Tem
Per Tem
ma po
ma po
ma po
rary To Death nent rary To Death nent rary Tonent
Death disa disa tal
disa disa tal
disa disa tal
bil bil
bil bil
bil bil
ii
ity
ity
ity
ity
ity
ity
iI
i
1915.....................||
1916................ —
1917.....................
1918.....................
1919.....................
1920.....................
1921.....................
1922.....................
1923....................
1924.....................
1912-1914.............
1915-1919.............
1920-1924.............
1925....................
803
1,011
1,156
1,234
775
<37
573
595
912
1,009
2,157
4.979
3,726
937
i
'
i1
;
i
i!
ii
R
!
1
j
i
266
251
264
251
442 469
364 377
214 226
204 222
177
168
129 136
244
234
311
291
738 788
35 1,522 1,C02
35 1.026 1,090
3
188 200
7
3
15
3
7
12
4
2
7
10
8
10
12
10
5
6
5
3
10
26
45
29
9
3.3
3.3
3.5
2.7
2.2
3.3
2.9
2.8
1.1
3.3
4.0
3.0
2.6
3.2
2.9
1.0
4.3
.8
3.0
6.6
2.3
1.1
2.6
3.3
3.7
2.3
3.1
1.1
104.2
82.7
127.5
98.3
86.8
111.8
97.8
72.3
85.5
96.1
114.0
101.9
91.8
66.9
110.4
87.0
135.3
101.8
92.0
121.7
103.0
76.2
89.2
102.7
121.7
107.2
97.5
71.2
19.9
19.8
20.8
16.2
12.9
19.7
17.5
16.8
6.6
19.8
24.1
18.1
15.6
19.2
4.3
1.7
4.0
2.0
1.3
3.7
1.1
2.5
1.6
3.4
5.5
2.0
2.5
2.2
1.2 25.4
1.7 23.2
2.2 27.0
1.4 19.6
1.3 15.5
2.5 25.9
1.7 20.2
1.8 21.1
1.2
9.4
1.9 25.1
1.8 31.4
1.6 22.3
1.8 19.9
1.0 22.4
COKE OVENS
From 1915 to 1925 accident frequency in coke ovens declined
74.2
per cent while accident severity declined 33.3 per cent. The
5-year periods show a positive decline, frequency dropping from the
first to the third period 65.9 per cent and severity 62.9 per cent.
T a k l e 71.—ACCIDEN TS AND ACCIDEN T RATES IN
COKE OVENS,> 1915 TO 1925. BY
YEARS AND 5-YEAR PERIODS
Number of cases
Year or period
Fullyear
work
ers
1915..................... 1,648
1916..................... 2,195
1917..................... 6,641
1918..................... 9,395
1919..................... 9,022
1920..................... 8,620
1921..................... 5,768
1922..................... 6,554
1923..................... 8,961
1924..................... 7,506
1912-1914............. 13,282
1915-1919............. 28,901
1920-1924............. 37,409
1925..................... 7,599
Accident frequency rates
(per 1,000,000 hours’ ex
posure)
Accident severity rates
(per 1.000 hours' ex
posure)
Per Tem
Per Tem
Per Tem
ma po
ma po
ma po
nent
rary
T
o
nent
rary
To
nent
rary T o
Death
Death
Death
; disa disa tal
disa disa tal
disa disa tal
bil bil
bil bil
bil bil
ity
ity
ity
ity
ity
ity
2
5
26
21
12
6
2
2
7
9,
27
66 j
26
4 ’|
4
128
6
150
10 508
14 662
10 647
11 518
4
182
1 207
14 416
15 ! 254
39 11,651
44:2,095
45 i>1,577
! 142
14 |
|
i
! 134
, 161
: 544
697
669
535
188
; 210
: 437
! 278
1,717
2,205
1,648
! 160
J
0.4
.8
1.3
.7
.4
.2
.1
.1
.3
.4
.7
.8
.2
.2
0.8
.9
.5
.5
.4
.4
.2
.1
.5
.7
1.0
.5
.4
.6
!
25.9
22.7
25.5
23.5
23.9
10.0
10.5
10.5
15.5
11.3
41.4
24.1
14.1
6.2
27.1
i 24.4
|27.3
i 24.7
i 24.7
i 10.6
: 10.8
! 10.7
i 16.3
! 12.4
' 43.1
• 25.4
i 14.7
. 7.0
2.4
4.6
7.8
4.5
2.7
1.4
.7
.6
1.6
2.4
4.1
4.6
1.4
1.1
1This table covers only those coke ovens operated in connection with steel works.
information see publications of the Bureau of Mines.
0.6
.5
.5
.5
.6
.7
.3
.2
1.1
.9
1.5
.5
.7
.9
0.3
.4
.4
.4
.4
.3
.2
.2
.3
.2
.6
.4
.2
.2
3.3
5.5
8.7
5.4
3.7
2.4
1.1
1.0
3.0
3.5
6.2
5.5
2.3
2.2
For more complete
OTHER DEPARTMENTS
Accident data and accident frequency and severity rates for other
departments of the iron and steel industry, for the 3-ears for which
thejr are available, are shown in Table 72.
IRON AND STEEL INDUSTRY
65
T a b l e 72*—ACCIDENTS AND AC C ID E N T RATES IN MISCELLANEOUS DEPA RTM E N TS
OF THE IRON A ND STEEL IN DU STRY, 1915 TO 1925, B Y YEARS AND 5-YEAR PERIODS
Accident frequency rates
(per 1,000,000 hours’ ex
posure)
Number of cases
| FullYear or period ■ year
iworkers
Per
ma
Death nent
disa
bility
Accident severity rates
(per 1,000 hours* ex
posure)
Per Tem
Tem
Per Tem
ma po
po
ma po
rary Total Death nent rary Total Death nent rary Total
disa disa
disa
disa disa
bility bility
bility bility
bility
Axle works
191 5 ...........
191 6
-1917.............
1018.............
191 9
192 0
192 1
192 2
192 3
■»mu
1912^914 - 11
1915-1919...
1920-1924...
1925.............
191
372
713
009
582
743
242
490
774
516
1,326
2,467
2,764
436
21
17
81
156
63
100
12
11
30
22
438
338
175
6
1.7
22 i.
17
81
159
63
100
13
11
30
24
444
342
178
6
j.
•
I.
i
1.3
36.6
15.2
37.9
1.6 85.4
36.1
44.8
16.5
7.5
12.9
.6 14.2
110.1
.5 45.7
.1 21.1
4.6
1.0
.2
38.3
15.2
37.9
87.0 ...........
36.1
44.8
8.3
17.9
7.5
12.9
3.9
11.4
8.0
111.6
46.2
21.5 '■ ’ i.T
4.6
3.1
3.9
.2
2.1
1.2
0)
0.3
.1
.9
1.1
.7
.7
.5
.1
.1
.2
1.6
.7
.8
.1
3.4
.1
.9
5.0
.7
.7
8.7
.1
.1
4.3
6.7
1.9
1.7
.1
0i7
2.1
.9
.6
1.0
.6
.7
.6
.8
.8
1.3
1.0
.7
.6
1.0
8.6
5.9
1.7
8.2
1.5
4.9
.6
2.8
2.9
4.7
3.9
2.3
1.9
0.1
.5
1.0
.3
.5
.1
.5
.3
.2
.3
.8
.5
2.4
88.6
13.0
6.0
10.9
8.3
.5
30.1
4.1
14.7
8.2
13.3
10.6
Car wheels
191 5
191 6
191 7
191 8
191 9
192 0
192 1
192 2
192 3
192 4
1912-1914.
1915-1919.
1920-1924.
3925.........
25
348
250
337
353
170
92
78
116
137
609
1,313
595
69
734
1,296
1,866
1,619
1,215
552
1,102
1,099
1,083
2,307
5,904
5,050
931 I
26
352
257
338
365
174
95
78
118
141
627
1,338
608
72
0.9
.8
.2
.2
0.9 21.4 22.3
.9 158.0 159.0
1.0 64.3 66.1
60.2 60.4
2.3 72.6 75.1
1.0 46.7 47.7
1.2 56.7 58.6
23.6 23.6
.3 35.2 35.8
.9 42.2 43.4
2.1 85.8 88.3
1.0 74.1 75.5
.7 39.3 40.2
1.1 24.7 25.8
5.4
4.6
1.1
1.2
3.0
0.3
1.0
.4
1.0
.0
.5
1.8
1.8
2.5
2.4
1.2
.2
.3
.9
.5
.4
1.3
30.8
11.3
5.4
2.3
7.3
.7
.3
10.4
2.9
Docks and ore yards
J915........
191 6
191 7
J918........
191 9
192 0
192 1
192 2
192 3
192 4
1911-1914
1915-1919
1920-1924
192 5
115
195 I
353 !
368 1
352
379
235
271
538
340
1,293
1,383
1,761
7
16
78
35
39
12
11
7
15
12
139
175
57
7
3
2
1
9
21
81
37
45
15
11
13
18
16
153
193
73
9
5.1
1.9
.9
3.7
.8
1.4
.8
1.7
5.8
3.4
.9
.9
5.7
1.8
'§.'7
1.9
3.9
2.8
2.9
2.3
20.3'
27.4
73.6
31.7
37.0
10.6
15.6
8.6
9.2
26.1
35.9
76.4
33.5
42.7
13.3
15.6
16.0
35.8
42.2
10.8
6.0
39.4
46.5
13.9
7.7
11.1
11.8 15.7
' 5. 3
*
22.2
4.6
&7
4.5
10.3
To
3.9
14.4
2.8
4.1
5.8
10.6
Woven wive fence
1915.
1916.
1017.
1918.
1919.
1920.
1921.
1922.
1923.
1924.
1915-1919.
19201925.
1,552
1.623
1,269
1,531
1,336
1,097
1,095
1,528
1,603
1,301
7,311
6.623
1,290
10
18
10
5
4
6
3
6
3
6
47
24
2
294
180
98
77
35
48
79
85
124
63
684
399
105
304
198
108
82
40
54
82
91
128
69
732
424
107
0.2
.2
2.1
3.7
2.6
1.1
1.0
1.8
.9
1.3
.6
1.5
2.1
1.2
.5
63.1
37.0
25.7
16.8
8.7
14.6
24.1
18.5
25.8
16.1
31.2
20.1
27.1
65.2
40.7
28.3
17.9
9.9
16.4
30.0
19.8
26.6
17.6
33.4
21.4
27.6
1.5
1.2
1.2
3.0
2.1
1.0
.6
2.9
.8
.7
.5
1.3
1.6
1.2
.2
0.5
.4
.4
.2
.2
.2
.4
.4
.2
.2
.3
.3
.4
1.7
3.4
2.5
1.2
2.3
3.1
1.2
1.1
1.9
1.5
2.2
1.8
.6
66
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS IN UNITED STATES
T a b l e 72.—ACCIDEN TS AND ACCIDEN T RATES IN M ISCELLANEOUS D E PA RTM E N TS
OF THE IRON AND STEEL IN DU STRY, 1915 TO 1925, BY YEARS A ND 5-YEAR PERIODS—
Continued
Accident frequency rates
(per 1,000,000 hours’ ex
posure)
Number of cases
Year or period
Fullyear
workers
Per
ma
Death nent
disa
bility
Accident severity rates
(per 1,000 hours' ex
posure)
Tem
Per Tem
Per Tem
po
ma poma po
rary Total Death nent rary Total Death nent rary Total
disa
disa disa
disa disa
bility
bility bility
bility bility
Vails and staples
1,546
1
1915.................
1,993
1916.................
1
1917.................. 2,323
1918...... . ......... 1,916
1919................. 2,040
1920................. 2,364
1
1921.................. 1,718
1
1922................. 2,366
1
1923................. 3,404
1924................. 1,939
9,818 ....... 2
1915-1919..
3
1920-1924......... 10,890
1925_________ 1,925
12
10
16
10
8
8
6
10
7
6
56
37
6
181
236
184
123
58
164
91
121
131
81
782
588
88
194
0.2
246
.1
201
133
66
172
98
.2
.1
132
.1
139
87
840 * : r
.i
628
94
2.6
.2
2.3
1.7
1.3
1.1
1.2
1.4
.9
1.0
1.9
1.1
1.0
39.0 41.8
1.3
39.5 39.7
26.4 28.8 “ .T
21.4 £3.1
9.5 10.8
23.1 24.2
17.7 19.0
1.2
17.0 18.5
.8
17.4 18.5
.8
13.9 14.9 . . . . . . .
26.5 28.5
18.0 19.2
.6
15.2 16.2
1.7
1.0
2.1
1.2
.5
.8
.6
1.3
1.2
1.0
1.3
1.0
1.6
0.3
1.4
.3
.2
.1
.1
.3
.3
.2
.2
.3
.2
,2
3.3
2.4
3.3
1.4
.6
.9
2.1
2.4
2.2
1.2
2.0
1.8
1.8
Hot mills
1923.................. 6,374
1924................. 5,780
1920-1924......... 30,018
1925____ _____ 7,773
2
1
11
4
9
7
39
19
820
831
634
642
3,223 3,273
913
936
0.1
.1
.1
.17
0.5
.4
.4
.81
42.9
36.6
35.8
39.1
43.5
37.1
36.3
4a 1
0.6
.3
.7
1.03
0.4
.5
.4
.74
0.5
.6
.5
.60
1.5
1.4
1.6
9.37
43.3
38.6
39.3
35.2
30.7
36.7
28.9
29.9
35.3
30.0
35.9
32.6
27.7
1.5
1.4
1.8
1.6
1.5
1.4
1.3
1.0
1.1
1.4
1.6
1.2
.7
0.6
1.4
.8
.9
.7
.9
.8
.8
.9
.9
1.3
.9
.7
0.6
.6
.5
.5
.4
.5
.5
.4
.5
.5
.5
.5
.4
2.7
3.4
3.1
2.9
2.6
2.8
2.6
2.2
2.5
2.8
3.4
2.6
1.8
Unclassified
1915.................
1916..................
1917.................
1918.................
1919..................
1920..................
192 1
192 2
1923..................
1924____ _____
1915-1919.........
1920-1924.........
1925.................
21,547
24,216
71,249
97,513
78,804
104,741
53,403
79,405
95,138
93,018
293,329
425,704
132,291
41 2,749
16
17
72 2,714
65
164 &165
79 284 9,930
60
145 7,054
72 261 11,208
36
134 4,468
39
233 6,848
52 *273 9,719
285 8,032
66
237
706 30,612
265 1,186 40,275
45
3G8 10,648
2,806
2,803
8,394
10,293
7,259
11,541
4,638
7,120
10,044
8,383
31,555
41,736
11,001
0.2
.2
.3
.3
.3
.2
.2
.2
.2
.2
.3
.2
.1
0.6
1.0
.8
1.0
.6
.8
.8
1.0
1.0
1.0
.8
.9
.8
42.5
37.4
38.2
33.9
29.8
35.7
27.9
28.7
34.1
28.8
34.8
31.5
26.8
* Less than one-tenth of 1.
ANALYSIS OP ACCIDENT CAUSES IN THE INDUSTRY
ACCIDENT EXPERIENCE 07 THE DEPARTMENTS COMPARED
The tables in this section present the experience of 13 departments
during two 5-year periods for 7 large cause groups. In the portion
of the tables pertaining to 1915-1919 the departments were arranged
in the order of their accident severity. To make comparison of the
two periods as easy as possible, in the portion of the table relating to
1920-1924 the departments are given in the same order as for 19151919 and not according to their accident severity.
The most striking feature of these tables is the constancy with
which practically every department records lower rates in the second
period.
IRON AND STEEL INDUSTRY
67
MACHINERY
In the first period the electrical department suffered most severely
from accidents. In the second period there is but one department
with a lower severity rate. Evidently the high severity rate of the
first period is not wholly typical. Since the group of the second
period is much larger, it may be assumed that it more accurately
reflects the relations of the departments.
The highest accident frequency (158.7) of the first period is found
in fabricating. In the second period the highest frequency (114)
appeal's in foundries.
T a b l e 73.—M A CH IN E RY AS A CAUSE OP AC C IDE N T: NU M BER OP CASES AND AC
C ID E N T FREQUENCY AN D SE VERITY RATES, 1915 TO 1919, AND 1920 TO 1924, B Y
D E PA RTM E N TS
Number of cases
Department
Fullycar
work
ers
Per
ma
nent
Death dis
abil
ity
Accident frequenc;irrates Accident se7erity rates
(per 10,000,000 j tours’
(per 10,000 hours' ex
exposure)
posure)
Per Tem
Tem
Per Tem
ma po
po
ma po
rary Total Death nent rary Total Death nent rary
dis
dis dis
dis dis Total
abil
abil abil
abil abil
ity ity
ity
ity ity
1915-1919
Electrical...............
Open hearths.........
Fabricating...........
Bessemer...............
Blast furnaces.......
Yards.....................
Foundries..............
Plate mills.............
Tube mills.............
Mechanical............
Heavy rolling mills
Sheet mills............
Unclassified...........
4,191
20; 525
11,110
5,450
17,021
9,819
10,222
14,711
11,021
24,752
27,123
5,920
55,534
5
16
6
4
9
5
4
6
4
8
7
18
65
76
6
4.0
22 365 403
2.6
529
1.5
40 484
4
46
54
2.4
19 125
153
L7
87
1.7
9
101
12 308 324
1.3
372
1.4
19 347
98
119
17
1.2
597 638
33
1.1
42 403 452
.9
8
65
73 _
68 1,125 1,211 ’ “i . T
4.8 51.7 60.5 23.86
3.6 59.3 65.5 15.59
12.0 145.2 158.7
9.00
2.4 28.1 33.0 14.68
3.6 23.6 28.9 10.22
3.1 29.5 34.3 i a 18
3.9 100.4 105.6
7.83
4.3 78.6 84. S 8.16
5.0 29.0 35.2
7.10
4.4 sa 4 85.9
6.46
5.1 49.5 55.5
5.16
4. o 36.6 41.1 _
4.1 67.5 72.7 "a is ’
6.44
2.12
6.74
1.28
3.72
2.78
3.18
2.65
3.99
3.17
4.32
2.70
3.64
1.08
1.54
2.81
.78
.58
.60
2.04
1.87
1.20
1.53
1.23
.84
L47
31.38
19.25
18.55
16.74
14.52
13.57
13.05
12.68
12.29
11.16
10.71
3.54
11.59
1.9 21.4
2.0 29.6
3.5 80.6
1.5 20.0
1.4 11.4
2.0 19.2
4.4 109.1
2.7 32.7
2.6 20.3
2.3 29.5
2.4 35.0
3.2 24.8
1.5 26.4
1.64
.61
.76
jl.83
!3.53 1.75
.55
;1.53
.29
!l.l6
!1.83
.45
12.56 2.05
!1.23
.84
:1.52 .56
1.78 .58
;1.39 .97
12.77 .65
1.29 .61
5.01
10.58
11.27
5.10
5.47
7.25
7.84
8.31
4.42
5.04
9.02
6.49
6.00
1920-1924
Electrical...............
Open hearths.........
Fabricating............
Bessemer...............
Blast furnaces.......
Yards.....................
Foundries..............
Plate mills.............
Tube mills.............
Mechanical............
Heavy rolling mills
Sheet mills............
Unclassified...........
14,002
60,087
20,049
19,853
54,773
20,118
37,129
22,428
68,335
89,481
48,082
45,618
107,317
2 ; 8
90
100
24 ! 36
533
593
21
485
512
« !
9
119
3
131
187 221
11
: 23
5
12 116 133
49 1,215 1,270
«
7
18 220 245
8 ! 53 416 477
12 j 61
793 866
16: 35
505 556
7 ; 44 339 390
22 ! 49 851
922
.5
1.3
1.0
.5
.7
.8
.5
1.0
.4
.5
1.1
.5
.7
23.8
32.9
85.1
22.0
13.5
22.0
114.0
36.4
23.3
32.3
38.6
28.5
28.6
2.86
7.99
5.99
3.02
4.02
4.97
3.23
6.24
2.34
2.68
6.66
3.07
4.10
POWER VEHICLES
As might be expected yards have the greatest accident severity
(54.35 in 1915-1919 and 31.83 in 1920-1924) from power vehicles.
In accident frequency also this is the leading accident cause (165.3 in
1915-1919 and 66.4 in 1920-1924).
In the first period blast furnaces (18.96) stands next in severity
while in the second period open hearths (7.24) occupies this position,
[t will be noticed that their rates are very much lower than those
for yards. In fact, yards present a serious problem to any safety
man. It has been noted elsewhere that motion is iu many cases the
68
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS IN UNITED STATES
element of hazard. A localized machine with its moving parts
presents dangers. When the machine adds a motion from place to
place the dangers multiply. That the difficulties are not insoluble
the records of the two periods strikingly indicate.
T a b l e 74.—POWER VEHICLES AS A CAUSE OF ACCIDENT: N U M BER OF CASES AND
ACCIDEN T FREQUENCY AND SEVERITY RATES, 1915 TO 1919 AND 1920 TO 1924, BY
DEPA RTM E N TS
: Accident frequency rates Accident severity rates
(per 10,000 hours' ex
! (per 10,000,000 hours'
j exposure)
posure)
Number of cases
Department
Fullyear
work
ers
Per Tem
ma po
rary
Death nent
dis dis Total1Death
abil abil
ity ity
Permanent
dis
abil
ity
Tem
Per Tem
po
ma po
rary Total Death nent rary Total
dis
dis- dis
abil- abil
abil
ity ity
ity
1915^-1919
Yards..............
Blast furnaces.
Open hearths....... ;
Heavy rolling mills.
Mechanical...........
Tube mills............
Electrical...............
Foundries.............
Fabricating...........
Plate mills.............
8heet mills............
Unclassified..........
9,819
17.621
5,450
20,525
27,123
24,752
11.621
4,191
10,222
11,110
14,711
5,920
55,534
14
443
131
41
178
48
48
7
7
21
13
487
149
49
202
61
52
9
7
21
13
20
6.8
2.8
1.8
1.3
.1
.3
192
213
.8
354
150
67
263
62
91
55
12
76
31
12
60
311
401
160
68
300
71
99
58
14
79
32
12
65
4.0
.5
.2
.9
.8
.2
.1
.5
.1
.2
150.4 165.3
24.8 28.2
25.1 3a 0
28.9 32.8
5.9
7.5
6.5
7.1
2.7
2.1
5.6
5.6
6.8
6.8
3.9
3.9
4.5
4.5
.4
11.5 .12.7
40.74
17.03
11.00
7.80
4.42
1.62
9.86
1.45
1.28
3.21
1.22
.86
.62
a 75 54.35
.48 18.96
1.22 13.50
.76 JL77
5.92
.28
.28
2.76
.18
.80
.16
.16
. 12
.12
.10
.10
.07
.07
5.04 1.17
.23
6.44
23.86 6.33
2.92 .16
1.01
5.33
1.64
.22
.34
.42
.12
.13
.07
.06
.15
.14
.08
.08
.24
31.83
3.30
1.35
7.24
2.37
1920-1924
20,118
54,773
19,853
Open hearths......... 60,087
Heavy rolling mills. 48,082
89,481
Mechanical.......
68,335
Tube mills........
14,002
Electrical..........
37,129
Foundries.........
20,049
Fabricating.......
22,428
Plate mills........
45,618
Sheet mills........
Unclassified.
107,317
Yards..............
Blast furnaces.
58.7
9.1
11.3
14.6
4.3
a4
2.7
2l9
6.8
5.2
1.8
4.4
9.7
66.4
9.7
11.4
16.6
4.9
a7
2.8
&3
7.1
5.3
1.8
4.7
ia 3
1.66
2.86
.54
1.00
" ‘ .‘ 44
2.42
.05
1.21
.07
2.92
.74
1.14
.08
1.00
S. 17
HOT SUBSTANCES
Accidents due to hot metal and the electric current are character
istic accidents of the iron and steel industry. It is, however, some
what surprising that the electrical department has, in both periods,
the second highest accident frequency (98.7 in 1915-1919 and 42.1
in 1920-1924).
This is, of course, due to the instances where electricians handle
live parts and get more or less severe burns. A comparison of the
two periods will indicate that the precautions w^hich have come into
use in the last five years have been very effective.
IBON AND STEEL INDUSTRY
69
T a b le * « .—HOT SUBSTANCES AS A CAUSE OF AC C IDE N T: NU M BER OF CASES AN D
ACC ID E N T FREQU EN CY A N D SEVERITY KATES, IMS TO 1919 AN D 1920 TO 1924, B Y
D E PA RTM E N TS
i
Accident frequency rates Accident severity rates
(per 10,000,000 hours’
(per 10,000 hours' ex
exposure)
posure)
Number of cases
Department
year
work
ers
Per
ma
nent
Death dis
abil
ity.
j1
!
Tem
po
!j
rary Total Death
dis
abil
ity
Per
ma
nent
dis
abil
ity
Tem
Per Tem
po
ma po
rary Total Death nent rary
dis
dis dis Total
abil
abil abil
ity
ity ity
1915-1919
Electrical...............
Bessemer________
Open hearths.........
Foundries..............
Heavy rolling mills
Plate mills.............
Mechanical.______
Tube mills.............
Fabricating____
Sheet mills____ . . .
Y a n is ...________
Unclassified...........
4,191
6,450
17,621
20,625
10,222
27,123
14,711
24,752
11,621
11.110
6,920
9,819
55,534
4
6
13
14
3
6
2
3
1
1
14,002
19,853
54,773
60,067
37,129
48,082
22,428
89,481
68,335
20,049
46,618
20,118.
107,317
3
3
30
20
8
1
6
3
3'
4
119
114
418
764
167
236
160
181
53
40
39
61
632
124
120
436
781
170
245
162
184
64
41
39
51
644
3.2 0.8
3.7
2.5 " \ T
2.3
.5
1.0
.7 ' . 4’
.5
.4
.3
.3
.5
94.7
69.7
79.1
124.1
54.5
29.0
36.3
24.4
15.7
12.0
22.0
17.3
.2 37.9
98.7
73.4
82.5
126.9
55.5
30.1
36.8
24.8
16.0
12.3
22.0
17.3
38.6
19.09 4.77
22.02
14.76 2.'2i‘
13.64 .66
5.87
4.42 .66
2.72
2.42
1.78
1.80
2.88
.40
1.12
2.01
1.57
2.35
1.15
.62
.42
.37
.40
.15
.28
.27
.66
24.98
24.03
18.54
16.65
7.02
6.70
8.14
2.79
£18
1.95
.28
.27
3.94
.7
.6
.8
.9
.6
.3
.3
.2
4.9
3.7
12.3
7.8
.9
1.8
1.3
2.2
1.2
2.6
.8
.2
2.8
1920-1024
Electrical...............
Bessemer...............
Blast furnaces.......
Open hearths.........
Foundries_______
Heavy rolling mills
Plate mills.............
Mechanical............
Tube mills_______
Fabricating............
Sheet m i ll s ........
Yards__ _____ . . . .
Unclassified...........
2
1
8
3
2
1
12
4
2
2
1
1
1
1
6
174
177
165 168
576 610
894 : 916
440 442
245 248
116
1J8
382 391
302 305
78
81
300 301
68
68
628 645
.7
41.4 42.1
4.3
27.7 28.2
3.0
35.0 37.1
11.0
.6
49.6 50.8
6.7
.2
39.5 39.7 . . . . . . . .3
17.0 17.2
.1
17.2 17.5
.9
.1
14.2 14.6
1.8
.2
14.7 14.9
.9
‘ “.Y 13.0 13.5
2.0 ' “.T
22.0 22.0
.4
11.3 11.3
.4
.2 19.5 20.0
2.2
.3
.6
1.8
1.1
.2
.1
.2
.1
.2
.0
.8
.2
.3
.2
.3
FAILS OF PERSONS
That the electrical department again heads the list in the first period
in severity ( 11.21 ) of accidents due to falls of persons and is next to the
highest (3.40) in the second period is in part due to inclusion of linemen,
whose duties call for work at a height from which a fall may easily
occur. It is quite possible that some of these falls are chargeable to
electric shock, which causes the fall to occur. In the first period the
electrical department also has the highest accident frequency (58.1),
followed by open hearths (45.8).
In the second period the highest accident frequency (28.0) is found in
foundries; in the second period the highest severity rate (3.71) is in
blast furnaces.
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS IN UNITED STATES
70
T abt .e 76.—FALLS OF PERSONS AS A CAUSE OF A CCIDEN T: NUM BER OF CASES AND
A CCIDEN T FREQUENCY AND SE VERITY RATES, 1915 TO 1919 AND 1920 TO 1924, B Y
DEPA RTM E N TS
Accident frequency rates Accident severity rates
(per 10,000 hours’ ex
(per 10,000,000 hours’
posure)
exposure)
Number of cases
Department
Fullyear
work
ers
1915-1919
Electrical________
Blast furnaces.......
Mechanical______
Foundries..............
Fabricating______
Tube mills_______
Bessemer________
Open hearths_____
H eavy rolling m ills
Plate mills_______ '
Sheet mills_______
Yards.....................
Unclassified...........
4,191
17,621
24,752
10,222
11,110
11,621
5.450
20,525
27,123
14,711
5,920
9.819
55,534
1920-1924
Electrical............... 14,002
Blast furnaces____ 54,773
Mechanical______ 89,481
Foundries_______ 37,129
Fabricating______ 20,049
Tube mills_______ 68,335
Bessemer________ 19,853
Open hearths......... 60.087
Heavy rolling mills. 48,082
Plate mills_______ 22.428
Sheet mills__ ____ 45,618
Yards..................... 20,118
Unclassified........... 107,317
Per-i Tem
Per Tem
Per Tem
ms- po
ma po
ma po
rary
rary Total
rary
nent
nent
nent
Death dis dis- Total Death dis dis Total Death
dis dis
abil abilabil abil
abil abil
ity ity
ity : ity
ity ity
!i
2
4
5
1
1
1
4
1
1
7
3
2
9 “ T
4
12
2
2
6
2
1
2
1
12
2
1
1
1
71
191
289
75
93
37
47
282
203
120
40
73
537
73
199
294
77
91
38
47
282
204
120
40
73
547
85
274
506
312
138
212
73
419
253
92
193
148
684
87
286
522
312
140
214
73
427
256
94
195
149
697
1.6
.8 " o T
.7
.3 " \ Y
.3
.3
.i
.4
.2
.5
.6
.5
.2
.2
.3
.1
.3
.1
.2
.2
.2
.4
.1
.1
.2
.0
56.5
36.1
38.9
24.5
27.9
10.9
28.7
45.8
24.9
27.2
22.5
24.8
32.2
58.1
37.7
39.6
25.1
28.2
11.2
28.7
45.8
25.0
27.2
22.5
24.8
32.8
9.54
1.67
4.54 2.19
.68
4.04
.89
1.96 ~.~20" .30
1.80
.50
.35
L78
1.36
1.04
.53
.09
.41
.41
.38
2.52 .07
.57
11.21
7.41
4.93
2.46
2.30
2.13
1.36
1.04
.62
.41
.41
.38
3.16
20.2
16.3
18.9
28.0
22.9
10.3
12.3
23.2
17.5
13.7
14.1
24.5
21.3
20.7
17.4
19.5
28.0
23.3
10.4
12.3
23.7
17.8
14.0
14.3
24.7
2L7
2.86
3.29
2.68
.54
.36
.50
.39
.47
.26
.35
.50
.36
.23
.26
.45
.40
3.40
3.71
3.27
.39
2.47
.85
.35
2.54
1.21
1.23
1.14
1.44
2.65
.06
.09
2.00
.59
2765
.83
.89
.88
.99
2.24
.04
.02
.11
.01
FALLING OBJECTS
The accident severity rate (8.61) for falling objects in the Bessemer
department in the first period is, in part at least, associated with the
feeding of scrap into the converting vessels. In the older types of
construction this was done in a manner permitting the material to
fall rather frequently and endangering the men working below, but
in recent construction this hazard has been largely overcome.
In the first period the highest accident frequency (78) is found in
foundries. The same department also has the highest frequency
(82.2) in the second period. This is one of the few cases in which
the second period has a higher rate than the first.
IRON AND STEEL INDUSTRY
71
T able 77.—PALLING OBJECTS AS A CAUSE OF A CCIDEN T: N UM BER OF CASES AND
A CCIDEN T FREQUENCY AND SEVERITY RATES, 1915 TO 1919 AND 1920 TO 1924, BY
D E P A R T M E N TS
Accident frequencyrrates
(per 10,000,000 £tours'
exposure)
Number of cases
Department
Fullyear
work
ers
1915-1919
Bessemer...............
Open hearths.........
Foundries..............
Blast furnaces.......
Fabricating______
Yards.....................
Mechanical...........
Plate mills..... .......
Heavy rolling mills
Sheet m ills ........
Tube m i ll s ........
Electrical__. . . . . . .
Unclassified...........
5,450
20,525
10,222
17,621
11,110
9,819
24,752
14,711
27,123
5,920
11,621
4,191
55,534
2
7
2
4
1
1
2
7
8
1920-1924
Bessemer................
Open hearths.........
Foundries_______
Blast furnaces.......
Fabricating______
Yards.....................
Mechanical............
Plate mills.............
Heavy rolling mills
Sheet m ills ....___
Tube mills.............
E lectrica l..........
Unclassified...........
19,853
60,087
37,129
64,773
20,049
20,118
89,481
22,428
48,082
45,018
68,335
14,002
107,317
1
8
2
10
3
3
5
1
8
.....
Accident severity rates
(per 10,000 hours' ex
posure)
Per Tem
Per Tem
Per Tem
ma po
ma po
ma po
rary
rary
nent
nent
nent
rary
Death
Death
dis dis Total Death dis dis Total
dis dis Total
abil abil
abil abil
abil abil
ity ity
ity ity
ity ity
1
2
2
3
2
2
3
6
2
3
2
1
4
1
2
3
9
1
1
9
1
6
65
351
235
185
192
102
380
299
307
39
63
32
860
69
361
239
190
197
104
384
302
316
40
64
32
875
1.2
LI
.7
.8
.3
.3
.3
167
622
912
291
255
146
626
262
389
213
460
70
790
170
640
915
296
262
147
637
264
398
214
472
71
802
.2
.4
.8
.4
.1
.8
.1
.3
.1
.2
.2
1.2
.5
.7
.2
1.2
.3
.3
.7
1.1
.6
.5
39.8
57.0
76.6
35.0
57.6
34.6
51.8
67.7
37.7
22.0
18.6
25.5
51.6
28.0
34.5
81.9
17.7
42.4
24.2
23.3
38.9
". d" 27.0
.1 15.6
.4 22.4
.2 16.7
.2 24.5
.3
.6
.3
.2
.8
.2
.3
a 37 0.90
.24 1.00
.20 1.68
.14
.82
.36
.94
.10
.80
.08
.84
.75 1.11
.92
.75
.17
.72
.19
.54
.53
‘ ."of .96
8.61
8.06
5.80
5.50
3.10
2.94
2.54
1.86
1.67
.89
.73
.53
4.09
.52
28.6
1.01 .10
.67
35.5
2.66 .32
.17 1.30
82.2
.38
18.0 ’ ’ "."73" .22
4a 6 2.00 1.20 .88
24.4
.10
.49
23.7 ' “ ~67_ .24
.52
39.2
1.78
.62
27.6
.83 ".’ 20‘ .63
15.6
.02
.33
.88 .13
.46
23.0
16.9
.07
.32
24.9
1.12 .19
.53
1|
1.63
3.65
1.47
1.33
4.08
.59
1.43
2.40
1.66
.35
1.47
.39
1.84
42.2
7.34
6.82
58.6
3.92
78.0
4.54
36.0
59.1
1.80
35.2
2.04
52.4
1.62
68.4
38.8
22.6
18.9
25.5
52.5 "2.'52'
BANDUNG
It will be noted on inspecting Table 78 that the accidents recorded
exhibit high frequency and relatively low severity. A moment’s
reflection will make it clear that it is natural that in the manual
movement of material minor injuries might occur. In the absence
of severity rates this fact has been the cause of a somewhat erroneous
view regarding the importance of this type of injury. It has been
thought that the rapid reduction of this sort of cases represented a
highly successful accident prevention effort. In some instances
attention has been so completely directed to methods bringing about
decline in frequency that, while it was going on, the severity of
accidents was actually increasing. It is very clear that sufficient
study should be devoted to those departments and causes where
severity is high to bring about as large a reduction as circumstances
will allow, as it is the accidents of high severity which are costly and
disastrous.
In all preceding tables, sheet mills have been well down the list.
In the present cause group these mills are at the top in the first
ieriod in accident frequency (220.7) and in accident severity (5.49).
n the second period they occupy the same place in accident severity
(3.83) and are next to the top in accident frequency (127.4). This
arises in connection with the process of opening the packs of sheets.
No way has been discovered to do this except by hand. The sheets
f
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS IN UNITED STATES
72
have sharp and somewhat jagged edges on which the opener is
often cut and lacerated. The striking decline from the first to the
second period is evidence that care on the part of the worker will give
results even in so distinctively a hand operation as this.
T a b l e 7 8 .—HANDLING OBJECTS AND TOOLS AS A CAUSE OF A C C ID E N T: N U M BE R
OF CASES, AND ACCIDEN T FREQUENCY AN D SEVERITY RATES, 1915 TO 1919 AND
1920 TO 1924, BY DE PA RTM E N TS
Number of cases
Department
Fullyear
work
ers
Accident frequency rates Accidcnt severity rates
(per 10,000 hours' ex
(per 10,000,000 hours'
posure)
exposure)
j
Per-ITemPer Tem
Per Tem
ma-i poma po
ma po
nent
rary
nent
nentrary
Death dis-1 dis Total Death dis dis Total Death dis rary
dis- Total
able abil
abil abil
abil abil
ity i ity
ity ity
ity ity
1915-1919
Sheet mills.......
Mechanical.......
Foundries.........
Tube mills........
Blast furnaces..
Oj>en hearths____
Yards....................
Heavy rolling mills
Plate mills........... .
Bessemer..............
Electrical.............
Fabricating..........
Unclassified.........
5,920
24,752
10,222
11,265
17,621
20,525
9.819
27,123
14,711
5,450
4,191
11,110
55,534
6
386 392
1,064 1,089
546 552
214 221
576 584
867 881
294 300
761
780
613 621
128
132
84
88
405 409
2,612 2,652
3.4
3.3
2.0;
.3 1.8!
.2. 1.3;
.2 2.1
2.0j
2.3
1.8:
2.4;
3.2!
1.2:
2.4
0.1
217.3
143.3;
178.0:
63.31
109.0;
140.6;
99.8
93.5:
138.9;
78.3;
6a 8!
121.5!
15a 8;
220.7
1.
146.7! 0.81 2.53 1.91
2.18 2.21
180.0..
65.4
1.78 1.15 1.13
110.5: 1.14 1.48 1.41
143.1!
.97 .90 1.76
101.8!
1.78
95.8;
1.47 L36]
14a 7.
.75 1.74
80.71
.73 1.52
7a o!
1.31 ' . 93
122.71
.36 1:64
159.2
1.39 2.24
5.49
5.25
4.39
4.06
4.03
3.63
3.36
2.83
2.49
2.26
2.24
2.00
3.63
1920-1924
Sheet mills.......
Mechanical.......
Foundries.........
Tube mills.« ...
Blast furnaces..
Open hearths...
Yards................. . .
Heavy rolling mills
Plate mills.......
Electrical___
Fabricating..
Unclassified.
45,618
89,481
37,129
68,335
54,773
60,087
20,118
48,082
22,428
19,853
14,002
20,049
107,317
1,743
1,449
2,246
973!
683j
1,195
358
827
433
351
154
538
1,719
1,484
2,264
1,005
700
1,240
371
855
446
364
158
551
2,046
1.53 125.61:127.36
1.19 53.98! 55.28
1.62 201.64203.26
1.32 47.46 49.02
.97 41.57 42.60
2.39 66.29 68.79
1.99 59.32 61.48
1.94 57.33 59.27
64.35 6a 28
1.
2.18 58.93 61.11
.95 36.66 37.61
2.16 >.45 91.61
.09 .65 62.80 63.54
1.32
.67
.74
.74
"i.46 .58
.37 .43
.67 1.32
.99 1.11
.84
1.60
.56
2.12
.46
1.82
.84
2.46
2.25
3.20
2.84
1.49
1.06 3.05
.98 3.08
.92 1.76
.90 2.50
.98 1.96
.52
.80
1.50 3.62
1.00 2.02
MISCELLANEOUS CAUSES
The causes grouped under the term “ miscellaneous” are so varied
from department to department that the rates are not of very great
significance.
The high accident severity (14.03) in blast furnaces during the
first period is due to asphyxiating gas, a hazard not found to any
great extent in any other department. This department also leads
m accident severity (5.15) during the second period.
IRON AND STEEL INDUSTRY
73
T a b le 7 9 .—M ISCELLANEOUS CAUSES OF A CCIDEN T: NUM BER OF CASES AND ACCI
D E N T FREQUENCY AN D SE VERITY RATES, 1915 TO 1»19 AND 1920 TO 1924, B Y
D E P A RT M E N TS
Accident frequency rates Accident severity rates
(per 10,000,000 hours'
(per 10,000 hours' ex
exposure)
posure)
Number of cases
Department
1915-1919
Blast furnaces-----Yards________
Electrical______
Tube mills........
Mechanical____
Plate mills.---------IIeav y rolling mills
Fabricating............
Open hearths.........
Bessemer....... ........
Foundries_______
Sheet mills.............
Unclassified______
1920-1924
Blast furnaces.......
Yards.....................
Electrical________
Tube mills_______
Mechanical---------Plate mills.............
Heavy rolling mills
Fabricating...........
Open hearths__
Bessemer...........
Foundries_____
Sheet mills.......
Unclassified___
Fullyear
work
ers
Per
ma
Death nent
dis
abil
ity
17,621
9,819
4,191
11,265
24,752
14,711
27,123
11,110
5,450
10,222
5,920
54,773
20,118
14,002
89,481
22,428
48,082
20,049
60,087
19,853
37,129
45,618
107,317
10
13
Per Tem
Tem
Per Tem
ma po
po
ma po
rary Total Death nent rary Total Death nent rary Total
dis
dis dis
dis dis
abil
abil abil
abil abil
ity ity
ity
ity ity
400 414
177
185
88
89
113
117
540 549
286 288
327 331
298 301
449 452
90
91
263 266
129
130
997 1,018
455
208
125
599
770
261
874
297
608
196
988
573
902
2.1
1.4
.8
.6
.3
.5
.4
.8
.2
.6
471
209
127
609
779
263
378
297
618
201
990
575
927
75.7
60.1
70.0
33.4
72.7
64.8
40.2
89.4
72.9
55.0
85.8
72.6
59.8
78.4
62.9
70.8
34.6
73.9
65.3
40.7
90.3
73.5
55.6
86.8
73.2
61.1
27.7 28.7
34.5 34.6
29.8 30.2
29.2 29.7
28.7 29.0
38.8 39.6
25.9 26.2
49.4 49.4
33.7 34.3
32.9 33.8
88.7 88.9
41.9 42.0
28.0
12.49 1.02
8.15 3.19
4.77
27
3.55
1.62 1.94
2.72
2.21
.18
.58
1.10
.78
.17
3.60 .97
1.80
.97
4.75
1.43
1.17
1.12
2.00
.37
.44
2.98
.19
1.01 1.06
23
0.52
.75
.48
.53
.61
.71
.53
.61
.58
.64
.79
1.20
.74
14.03
12.09
5.25
4.35
4.17
8.43
2.96
2.59
2.13
1.74
1.57
1.37
5.30
5.15
.75
1.93
1.74
1.62
1.37
.84
.51
2.74
2.45
1.00
.89
8.54
ACCIDENT EXPERIENCE OF THE DEPARTMENTS ANALYZED BY CAUSES
In order to show the extremes of change the tables in this section
consist of two 5-vear periods separated by a 5-year interval. In
order to give readily comparable rates they are computed on the basis
of 10,000,000 hours' exposure for frequency and 10,000 hours’ for
severity.
It is well to note in this connection that the severity rates are
necessarily more irregular than the frequency rates. This is due to
the fact that in frequency a case of injury counts as one unit while
in severity the same case, if a death, is 6,000 units.
In a number of the tables which follow it will be observed that for
the first period rates for the causes which may be regarded as char
acteristic of the department are given, while those which the depart
ment shares with other industries are not separately given but are
included under “ Unclassified.” This omission which makes com
parison of the two 5-year periods difficult, is due to the fact that when
the rates for the first period were'compiled only the characteristic
causes were considered, and when at the close of the second period it
seemed desirable to show all the primary cause groups it was not
possible to go back and compute the missing items.
BLAST FURNACES
In 1910 the highest frequency rate (143) was for falling objects;
in 1924 the highest (35.3) was for handling. In severity falls of persons
was highest (34.3) in 1910 and hot substances (19.73) in 1924.
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS IN UNITED STATES
74
T a b l e 8 0 *— A CCIDEN T FREQU EN CY AND SE VERITY RATES FOR BLAST FURNACES,
1910 TO 1914 AND 1920 TO 1924, BY YEARS A N D A C C ID E N T CAUSES
Accident cause
1910
1911 | 1912
1913
1914
1920
1921
1922
1923
1924
Accident frequency rates (per 10,000,000 hours* exposure))
Machinery-_______________
Vehicles____ - ______________
Hot substances_______. _____
Falls of persons______ . . . ___
Falling objects______________
Handling___ . . . . . . . __ ______
Unflflfsnnpri______________ _
21.6
19.7
113.2
78.7
143.0
103.3
138.0
38.3
2.3
132.7
'■ 33.7
: 55.3
: 94.3
: 65.0
23.0
0.0
89.3
53.0
66.7
74.3
103.0
Total.............................. 622.5 ! 421.6
415.3
17.6
13.7
50.0
23.1
21.9
61.2
41.7
7.2
8.7
30.2
17.9
14.3
41.4
26.5
10.1
8.1
32.6
12.7
16.6
27.9
27.9
12.2
9.1
34.5
14.7
15.6
37.1
2a 9
15.2
6.8
30.2
15.8
18.7
35.3
20.5
249.5 229.2
146.2
135.9
144.1
142.5
28.0
8.7
4.0
86.6 ” 57.4
26.0
43.0
31.7
62.3
56.3
43.0
40.3
65.7
303.5
Accident severity rates (per 10,000 hours' exposure)
Machinery _______________
Vehicles______ . . . . . . . . . . . __
Hot s u b sta n c e s...........___
________ - ___
Falling objects______ __ ____
Handling__. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Unclassified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
T o t a l . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ___
1.3 ! 0.6
2.0
5.3 ! 16.0
0.6
2.0 | 20.3
Falls of1.0
persons
0.7
34.3
0.7
1.7 iI 0.7
3.3 ii 1.3
1.3
20.3 | 16.7
14.3
14.0
0.3
4.3
14.0
0.3
2.3
14.0
4.6
1.0
0.7
2.3
39.0
3.31
2.12
11.87
.31
1.08
1.56
3.00
1.10
.11
18.08
13.38
.28
.88
5.68
7.11
4.55
9.41
2.80
.37
.83
2.81
7.60
7.14
4.76
3.79
.43
1.14
7.01
8.04
2.05
19.73
2.32
4.35
2.82
7.78
68.2 ; 56.6
48.9
47.9
23.25
39.51
27.88
31.87
47.07
19.6
BESSEMER CONVERTERS
The exposure available in this department is not as large as could
be desired. In general it is not considered good practice to compute
rates unless the number of workers is 1,000 or more, but an exception
has been made in the case of the Bessemer department because it is
still an important steel-making process.
In both 1910 and 1924 the highest accident frequency is found to
be due to handling (136 and 34.4, respectively). In severity hot
substances are highest in 1910 and falling objects (5.32) in 1924.
T a b l e 81*—A C CIDEN T FREQUENCY AND SEVERITY RATES FOR BESSEMER CON
VERTERS, 1910 TO 1914 AND 1920 TO 1924, BY YEARS A N D A C C ID E N T CAUSES
Accident cause
1910
1911
1912
1913
1914
1920
1921
1922
1923
1924
Accident frequency rates (per 10,000,000 hours* exposure)
45.0
Machinery............................... 81.0
Vohicles................................... 51.0 ■ 25.0
70.0
Hot substances........................ 106.0
Falls of persons........................ 0) j 0)
Falling objects.........................
0)
0)
Handling.................................. 136.0 I 65.0
Unclassified............................. 403.0 ! 259.0
25.0
30.0
140.0
8
42.0
15.0
91.0
8
21.0
334.0
65.0
206.0
Total.............................. 837.0 j 464.0 j 55a0
419.0
38.6
14.7
36.7
17.3
35.2
99.9
64.4
16.9
15.6
27.1
11.6
30.9
66.9
36.2
9.1
4.5
27.2
6.4
17.3
40.0
29.1
18.5
14.8
30.3
16.3
318
65.2
17.8
16.3
7.3
17.1
7.2
22.0
34.4
17.2
219.0 302.1
205.2
133.6
197.7
121.5
35.0
69.0
0)
0)
17.0
98.0
Accident severity rates (per 10,000 hours* exposure)
Machinery...............................
Vehicles...................................
Hot substances........................
Falls of persons........................
Falling objccts.........................
Handling.................................
Unclassified.............................
Total..............................
8.09
.38
.64
.39
.48
1.75
1.61
a22
.13
.67
.17
.52
1.72
.40
9.14
4.97
9.57
.59
.94
2.38
3.03
1.79
.24
.42
.19
5.32
1.22
5.09
59.0
16.46
13.34
3.83
30.62
14.27
1.0
L0
2.0
(0
0)
0.3
8.7
6.0
1.0
27.0
2.0 ’ "’ i ’ o"
3.0
103.0! 21.0
<
13.0
34.0
>Not separately shown; included in “ Unclassified.”
46.0
6.19
.41
4.69
.35
.65
2.47
1.70
1.0
1.0
2.0
(0
(»)
14.0
3.0
2.0
1.0
61.0
0)
0)
2.0
37.0
81.0 85.0
IKON AND STEEL INDUSTRY
75
OPEN HEARTHS
In the first period the greatest accident frequency (133) in open
hearths is found in hot substances in 1911 while hot substances
leads in severity (23) in 1914. In the second period frequency is
highest in handling (99) and severity in machinery (15.37), both in
192°-
Frequency shows a very marked decline from period to period,
while severity is irregular with only a slight tendency downward.
T a b l e 82 .—ACCIDENT FREQUENCY AND SEVERITY RATES FOR OPEN
HEARTHS,
1910 to 1914 AND 1920 to 192*, BY YEARS AND ACCIDEN T CAUSES
Accident cause
1910
1911
1912
1913
1914
1920
1921
1922
1923
J 1924
Accident frequency rates (per 10,000,000 hours’ exposure)
Machinery............................... 86.0
Vehicles...................... ............. 28.0
Hot substances. .......... .......... 122.0
Falls of persons........................
Failing objects.........................
8
Handling.................................. 111.0
Unclassified........................... 292.0
70.0
27.0
133.0
61.0
42.0
127.0
82.0
198.0
£#
209.0
Total.............................. 639.0
510.0
523.0
0)
0)
(0
44.0
49.0
110.0
225.0
75.0
169.0
49.6
28.0
72.1
27.8
41.0
99.0
51.7
26.0
15.0
50.2
28.1
42.7
87.9
43.2
25.9
13.3
39.8
21.4
37.5
57.8
30.5
33.5
13.6
47.1
21.7
29.7
47.6
26.7
23.2
10.1
43.4
28.2
33.1
59.8
21.4
505.0
382.0 369.2
293.1
226.2
219.9
214.2
I
47.0
8.0
83.0
<*)
Accident severity rates (per 10,000 hours’ exposure)
19.3
U.0
3.0
10.0
10.0
3.0
8
8
1.0
3.0
1.0
10.0
1.0
44.0
Total..............................
50.0
27.0
34.0
81.0
3.0
13.7
2.0
12.0
9.0
1.0
17.0
18.0
Machinery...............................
Vehicles...................................
Hot substances........................
Falls of persons........................
Falling objects.........................
Handling.................................
Unclassified___ . . . . . . . . _____
8
8
1.0
4.0
23.0
?3.0.
15.37
11.15
8.62
1.75
5.66
3.76
3.55
3.40
2.90
6.62
.50
.73
5.43
5.11
6.62
2.41
7.56
.38
2.59
1.30
.90
13.28
11.08
9.49
5.03
4.07
2.21
3.89
10 87
6.24
6.48
4.59
2.63
3.05
*26
33.0
49.86
23.69
21.76
49.05
33.12
i Not separately shown; included in “ Unclassified.”
FOUNDRIES
The foundries show on the whole high accident frequency and
moderate accident severity. The downward trend is not clearly
traceable, although a different presentation indicates that there
was such a trend, though not very pronounced.
The irregular character of the rates in this department is illustrated
when it is noticed that the highest frequency (251.6) occurs in han
dling in 1923 of the second period, while the highest severity (57) is in
machinery in 1912 of the first period.
The failure of the foundries to make a significant change for the
better is disappointing, since some large concerns have done excellent
safety work with marked success.
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS IN UNITED STATES
76
T a b le
83.—AC C ID E N T FREQUENCY AND SE VERITY RATES FOR FOUNDRIES, 1910 TO
191* AN D 1920 TO 1924, BY YEARS AND ACCIDENT CAUSES
Accident cause
1910
1911
1912
19)3
1914
1921
1922
1923
1924
Accident frequency rates (per 10,000,000 hours' exposure)
Machinery............................... 131.0 84.0
Vehicles...................................
3.0
Hot substances........................ 118.0 91.0
Falls of persons.......................
(»)
0)
Falling objects.........................
(»)
(')
Handling............... ................. 165.0 206.0
Unclassified............................. 320.0 236.0
Total.............................. i 737.0
617.0
62.4
j /. 6
10.0
! 48.4
45.4
! 32. 7 . 33.6
•1118.6 ! 79.7
1236.2 251.6
■109.1 .112.2
183.0
3.0
79.0
0)
(»)
205.0
275.0
74.0
7.0
81.0
(*)
0)
145.0
191.0
108.0 116.6
6.0
6.0
34.0 38.4
23.0
(>)
80.6
(»)
120.0 195.1
260.0 94.5
98. 1
7.0
20. 5
27.5
53.7
151.3
84. 1
745.0
498.0
428.0 554. 2
442.2 j67f». 4
594.9
84.1
5.0
38.8
23.9
69.9
151.8
111.3
484.8
Accident severity rates (per 10,000 hours* exposure)
Machinery...............................
Vehicles...................................
Hot substances........................
Falls of persons.......................
Falling objects.........................
Handlini
Total-
3.0
32.0
2.0
0)
<*)
1.0
6.0
i.o
(0
0)
6.0
33.0
1.0
57.0 I 1.0
. !
.3
27.0
i.o
4.0
0)
(*)
(«)
0)
(*)
(»)
4.0
7.0
2.0
3.0
3.0 !
•'
12.0
72.0
66.0
r
;
;
i
1
:
!
8.83
.24
1.27
.26
1.22
2.74
1.55
35.0 | 10.0 I 16.11
:
:
j
!
i
!
j
2.73
9. 10
4. 50
.23
1.63
.60
.34
.62
1. 18
1.73
3. 10 ■ 3.36
. hi : .94
14.29
i 10.66
• .22
; .70
! .44
1.10
! 4.56
: 1.05
4.96
.07
.62
.28
2.19
2.03
1.17
14.48 ; 18.73
11.32
i Not separately shown; included in “ Unclassified.”
HEAVY ROLLING MILLS
In Table 84 there is a very conspicuous decline in frequency in
the second period and a less marked decline in severity.
The highest frequency (82) appears in machinery in 1911 and the
highest severity (14) is also in machinery in 1910 and in hot sub
stances in 1913.
T a b l e 8 4 .—ACCIDENT FREQUENCY AND SEVERITY RATES FOR HEAVY ROLLING
MILLS, 1910 TO 1914 AND 1920 TO 1924, BY YEARS AND A C CIDEN T CAUSES
Accident cause
1910
1911
1912
1913
1914 j 1920
1921
1922
1923
1924
Accident frequency rates (per 10,000,000 hours* exposure)
Machinery...............................
Vehicles...................................
Hot substances........................
Falls of persons.......................
Falling objects.........................
75.0
13.0
40.0
(*)
0)
0)
Unclassified............................. 343.0
Total.............................. 471.0
56.0
11.0
37.0
0)
(•)
0)
339.0
51.0
11.0
30.0
(«)
0)
(»)
240.0
45.0
3.0
25.0
(>)
(')
0)
118.0
44.8
7.4
25.9
22.3
33.1
89.7
37.8
36.1
3.4
15.4
16.8
23.7
60.9
21.4
34.4
3.8
12.6
13.2
30.6
45.9
23.6
33.9
5.0
15.1
15.4
21.2
42.0
18.8
40.9
3.0
11.0
18.9
24.9
38.8
21.4
465.0 j! 443.0
i
332.0
191.0 |261.0
177.7
203.5
151.4
158.6
82.0
10.0
34.0
0)
0)
339.0
Accident severity rates (per 10,000 hours* exposure)
Machinery.......
Vehicles............
Hot substances.
Falls of persons.
Falling objects..
Handling..........
Unclassified___
14.0
1.0
5.0
0)
I1)
0)
23.0
12.0
.3
6.0
(*)
(*)
0)
20.7
2.0
1.0
6.0
(>)
(«)
0)
7.0
Total.......
43.0
39.0
16.0
1
1Not separately shown; included in “ Unclassified.”
1.0
.3
14.0
0)
(>)
0)
4.7
2.0
1.0
8.0
(»)
0)
(>)
4.0
9.09
.51
1.82
1.79
2.10
1.68
.45
6.87
1.17
.38
.45
.92
2.01
.29
7.30
4.27
2.37
2.44
1.16
1.63
1.18
8.91
3.71
.92
.38
2.52
1.98
1.74
13.52
2.87
.15
.29
.94
1.56
.40
20.0
15.0
17.44
12.09
20.35
20.11
19.79
IRON AND STEEL INDUSTRY
77
PLATS MILLS
Plate mills are among the most regular in declining accident rates
of any department covered by this study. Machinery in 1910 has
the highest accident frequency (164) and the same cause has the
highest accident severity (34) in the same year.
Table 85 illustrates again rather forcibly that frequency rates are
not a complete indication regarding the places where accident pre
vention may be profitably applied. If in tne second period frequency
alone be considered, it would appear that in every year of the
period except 1924 accidents due to handling should have the major
share of attention. Turning to severity, however, it will be found
that from that standpoint only in 1922 is handling of paramount
importance.
T a b l e 8 5 . - A C CIDEN T FREQUENCY A N D SEVERITY RATES FOR PLATE MILLS, 191*
TO 1914 AN D 1920 TO 1924, BY YEARS AN D ACCIDENT CAUSES
Accident cause
1910
1911
1912
1913
1914 1 1920
1921
1922
1923
1924
Accident frequency rates (per 10,000,000 hours' exposure)
Machinery........ ...................... 164.0 120.0
Vehicles........................... . ...... 18.0
12.0
llot substances__-.... .............. 63.0
47.0
Falls of persons....................... 0)
(*)
Falling objects.........................
0)
Handling.................................
0)
0)
Unclassified............................. 491.0 45a 0
Total.............................. 726.0
629.0
434.0
49.3
1.6
23.0
16.1
40.8
101.0
220.0 68.4
31.9
2.2
15.4
11.0
27.5
87.6
39.5
699.0
295.0 300.2
215.1
135.0
18.0
55.0
0)
93.0
17.0
55.0
552.0
760.0
49.0
2.0
24.0
$ 1 f
35.4
1.6
24.4
15.0
53.5
62.1
40.1
27.5
a4
11.0
ao
33.7
41.2
9.6
82.0
232.1 (136.8
163.2
12.6
17.6
sa4
314
2a s
Accident severity rates (per 10,000 hoars' exposure)
Machinery...............................
Vehicles...................................
Hot substances........................
Falls of persons__________ . . .
Falling objects.........................
Handling.................................
Unclassified.............................
34.0
15.0
1.0
2.0
.3
1.0
11.0
10.7
Total..............................
61.0
14.0
1.52
.02
.19
.11
a 82
a77
.70
1.66
.20
.54
.33
.82
2.36
.44
5.35
.16
.20
4.72
.64
ass
.23
aos
21.7
1.3 ■ 18.83
17.0
14.0 . . . . . . . ! .01
8.77
1.0
.21
.66
1.12
3.76
6.0
6.4
31.0
38.0
7.0
13.13
&35
14.88
17.68
ao
.3
1.0
I I 1 $ 1
2a 26
.42
5.57
2.40
.68
* Not separately shown; Included in “ Unclassified/*
SHEET MILLS
It was found in an earlier stu dy 7 of these mills that, in the 5-year
period ending in 1914 the hot-mill crews had rising accident rates
both in frequency and severity. While Table 86 does not go into
details as did the table in the earlier study, the rates shown for ma
chinery and handling give an approximate idea of what is happening
among hot-mill workers. An examination of these groups m the
second 5-year period will show somewhat lower rates and a tendency
to decline.
’ United States Bureau of Labor Statistics Bui. No. 298, p. 81.
2063°—27----- 6
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS IN UNITED STATES
78
Since neither the machines nor the handling operations have been
materially modified in the second period as compared with the first,
this improvement must be largely due to greater skill and care on the
part of the workers.
The highest frequency (186) is found in handling in 1912 and the
highest severity (11) in machinery in 1911.
T a b l e 8 6 . — AC CIDEN T FREQUENCY A N D SEVERITY RATES FOR SHEET MILLS, 1910 TO
1914 AND 1920 TO 1924, BY YEARS AN D A C C ID E N T CAUSES
Accident cause
1910
1911
1912
1913
1914 | 1920 | 1921
1922
1923
1924
Accident frequency rates (per 10,000,000 hours’ exposure)
Machinery________
Vehicles...................................
Hot substances_____________
Falls of persons_____. . . . ____
Falling objects..____________
Handling_____ ________- ___
Unclassified___ ______. . . ___
Total....... .
43.0
0)
16.0
0)
147.0
135.0
341.0
!
i
; 59.0 j 66.0
1 <*> ! 0)
25.0 i 10.0
I 0)
0)
! 186.0 ! 125.0
! 305.0 ! 256.0
61.0 32.0 . 29.2
3.1 ! 3.9
0)
21.0 28.3 ! 23.5
13.3 !i 15.2
0)
14.2 j! 18.4
(!)
61.0 158.7 !il54.9
166.0 59.5 ;|54.0
34.0
8.7
30.4
24.6
29.3
179.8
55.0
29.9
4.1
15.3
10.5
H.6
85.8
27.1
15.6
4.0
11.8
7.8
7.8
57.3
13.4
363.0 |491.0 : 381.0
i
i1
1
309.0 309.3 j299.1
!
i
361.6
1S7.3
117.2
64.0
(*)
15.0
(0
(*)
103.0
181.0
Accident severity rates (per 10,000 hours* exposure)
Machinery_____. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vehicles.___ __________ . . . . .
Hot substances......................
Falls of persons________ . . . . .
Falling objects_____________
Wprxiling___. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Unclassified__ *_________ ___
4.0
(*>
.3
0)
(■)
2.0
40.7
T o t a l.......__________
47.0
8
1.0
35.7
<03
0)
(*)
2.0
12.7
82.0
13.7
!
2.0 i 5.58
2.08
.3
.31
.27
0)
(i)
.14
1.0
4.30
15.7
.44
48.0
20.0
24.0
19.0 | 13.12
11.0
(*)
.3
5.0
8.0
0)
.3
0)
8.09
.06
.23
2.90
.39
2.98
3.23
17.88
4.99
.19
2.64
.33
1.07
5.43
.62
8.24
2.18
.32
.17
.39
3.56
.30
5.7-1
.08
.29
2.56
.23
2.50
.32
15.27 : If*. 16
11.72
> Not separately shown; included In “ Unclassified. ”
TUBE MILLS
While accident frequency rates in tube mills were very high in the
early part of the first 5-year period, a very rapid decline occurred
before the close of that period and continued to 1924. A decline in
accident severity in the first 5-year period is not easily observable
and in the second period the irregularities obscure the trend, but if a
12-month moving average be computed a downward trend will be
indicated.
When the two periods are considered in comparison it will be
evident that a remarkable reduction of both frequency and severity
has taken place.
Accident frequency (150) is highest in 1910 in machinery, while
accident severity (28) is highest in 1912 in machinery.
EBON AND STEEL INDUSTBY
79
T a b l e 87.—ACCIDEN T FREQUENCY AN D SE VERITY RATES FOR TUBE MILLS, 1910 TO
1914 AND 1920 TO 1924, B Y YEARS AN D A C C ID E N T CAUSES
Accident cause
1910
1911
1912
1913
1914
1920
1921
1922 j 1923
1924
Accident frequency rates (per 10,00,0009 hours’ exposure)
Machinery....... .
Vehicles............ .
Hot substances..
Falls of persons..
Falling objects...
Handling.......... .
Unclassified____
Total..
150.0
149.0
89.0
52.0
20.0
60.0
0)
82.0
50.0
0)
16.0
0)
0)
0)
194.0
17.0
8
552.0
702.0
})
})
»
753.0
422.0
561.0
33.8
3.6
23.5
10.1
20.0
73.9
48.6
23.9
1.6
17.1
9.3
23.3
48.7
39.4
21.2
4.6
17.7
15.0
27.2
50.9
35.7
151.0 213.5
163.3
172.3
8
0)
114.0
26.0
2.6
11.6
10.3
27.8
46.6
18.4
11.1
1.0
5.5
7.0
17.0
25.5
12.0
143.3 ; 79.1
Accident severity rates (per 10,000 hours' exposure)
Machinery_____
Vehicles.............
Hot substances..
Falls of persons..
Falling objects...
Handling............
Unclassified____
18.0
2.3
28.0
1.3
2.0
1.0
0)
0)
(»)
9.0
1.0
0)
7.7
.3
0)
0)
0)
4.7
1.0
(])
(i)
(i)
28.7
0)
0)
0)
8.0
Total........
28.0
11.0
33.0
31.0
10.0 j 15.15
h
4.09
2.75
1.76
1.53
1.79
1.47
1.76
!
4.51 j1 3.53
.09
.14
2.80
.49
.22
.41
.58
.51
3.34 2.66
1.23
3.38
12.77
11.12
6.55
.09
1.53
1.60
.88
4.10
.75
3.40
.02
.13
.17
3.06
2.83
1.43
15.50
11.04
* Not separately shown; included in " Unclassified.**
FABRICATING SHOPS
Machines, including cranes and hoists, are the important elements
of hazard in these plants. Accident frequency reaches the top record
(373) for machinery in 1912 and drops to 51.4 in 1924; the percentage
of decline is 86 .2 .
Accident severity goes from 43 in 1910 to 8.68 in 1924, a drop of
19.8 per cent.
TABLE 8 8 . — ACCIDEN T
FREQUENCY A N D SEVERITY RATES FOR FABRICATING^
SHOPS, 1910 to 1914 and 1920 TO 1924, B Y YEARS AND A C CIDEN T CAUSES
Accident cause
1910
1911
1912
1913
1914 | 1920
1
1921 | 1922
1
1923
1924
Accident frequency rates (per 10,000,000 hours' exposure)
M a c h i n e r y .................... 293.0
Vehicles_______ . . . ____ ____
(0
Hot substances_____________ 21.0
(i)
Falls of persons_____________
(i)
Falling o b j e c t s ................
Handling................................. 0)
Unclassified............................. 633.0
Total.............................. 947.0
292.0
0)
26.0
<*)
0)
(‘)
673.0
373.0
0)
35.0
0)
<0
I1)
640.0
357.0 220.0 116.2
7.8
(»)
0)
29.0
11.0 20.5
24.9
0)
0)
56.6
0)
0)
140.2
0)
0)
580.0 430.0 96.0
991.0 1,048.0 966.0
661.0 462.2
84.9
4.8
10.9
IB. 4
49.2
98.3
47.9
92.6
3.9
10.4
24.6
44.4
88.9
67.1
77.2
6.0
12.7
19.5
36.0
74.9
16.5
51.4
3.5
. 10.5
36.6
33.8
57.2
21.9
314.4
331.9
242.8
204.4
Accident severity rates (per 10,090 hours* exposure)
M achinery...__ . . . ___ —___
Vehicles...................................
Hot substances_____________
Falls of persons_____________
Falling objects_____________
Handling.................................
Unclassified__ . . . __ . . . . . ___
43.0
(0
18.0
0)
0)
0)
0)
31.0
h)
0)
7.0
c>
24.0
Total..............................
74.0
25.0
58.0
0)
33.0
(l)
1.0
0)
V)
>Not separately shown; included in “ Unclassified.**
«
18.0
18.0 i 11.94
.11
(l) i 4.58
0) i .35
0) i .94
0) I 2.96
8.0 j
.81
17.80
.28
2.33
.16
1.54
2.81
.47
13.08
.09
.15
.57
6.41
2198
.74
7.39
4.62
.28
.35
7.25
4.74
.20
8.68
.14
4.34
9.25
3.85
4.34
.34
23.3
26.0 | 21.69
25.39
24.62
24.83
30.94
5,0
0)
0.3
(*)
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS IN UNITED STATES
80
MECHANICAL DEPARTMENT
Machinery is naturally a more important hazard in the mechanical
department than in most of the other departments. While frequency
of machine accidents declines, the rate going from 140 in 1910 to
19.3 in 1924, the severity of such accidents seems rather to increase.
However, the general frequency and severity are decidedly lower in
the second period than in the first. In the second period, accidents
due to handling are the most frequent in each of the five years. The
severity rates are on the whole highest for machinery, followed by
those due to falls of persons.
8 0 .—ACCIDEN T FREQUENCY AND SEVERITY RATES FOR M ECH AN ICAL
D EPARTM EN TS, 1910 TO 1914 AN D 1920 TO 1924, BY YEARS AND ACCIDEN T CAUSES
T able
Accident cause
1910
1911
1912
1913 | 1914
1920 ! 1921
1922
1923
1924
Accident frequency rates (per 10,000,000 hours* exposure)
Machinery____________ -___ 140.0 I 125.0 : 101.0
Vehicles........ ............ ............. (*) i (0 : (0
: 30.0
Hot substances..-.-.^ . . . . ___ 33.0 : 50.0 ■
Falls of persons........... .........
; (*>
0) i «
Falling objects.........................
: 0)
<»>
Handling__________________
(') ! 8 : 0)
Unclassified______ __________ 442.0 : 311.0 : 279.0
Total.............................. 615.0 i 4Sfi. 0 |410.0
;
:
i 64.0 ! 54.0 '•36.2
1 <»> ! 4.8 i 2.9
‘ 18.0 24.8 ; 15.0
27.3 ; 20.6
i (0
34.1 ! 30.1
i (»)
95.5
65.8
■ 0)
j 273.0 53.1 j 34.5
24.9
3.6
11.4
20.2
21.3
50.0
26.9
20.3
3.9
10.5
14.2
14.6
34.0
16.5
19; 3
2.5
8.4
13.2
16.8
23.6
16.3
368.0 j 355.0 293.6 !205.1
158.3
114.0
100.1
51. ft
0)
35.0
(»)
(*)
0)
282.0
Accident severity rates (per 10,000 hours’ exposure)
Machinery_________________
Vehicles_____- _________
Hot substances________ - ___
Falls of p e r s o n s ...............
Falling o b j e c t s ................
Handling..........
Unclassified...... ....... .............. 1i
3.0
0)
.3
0)
0)
0)
40.0
3.0
(0
.3
0)
<V
(‘ >
27.0
4.0
(«>
.3
0)
(*)
(»)
16.0
2.0
(0
10.0
(0
0)
0)
25.0
Total.............................. 1 43.3
30.3
20.3
37.0
7.0
0)
.3
(»)
5.73 !
1.04 i
2.99
5.08 !
.75 :
0) ; 2. 1 2 !
6.0 ! *3 5 !
13.3 ; 18.06 I
3.41
. 12
.23
4.51
1.51
1.69
.76
4.04
3.70
2.44
.79
.55
4.70
2.48
5.89
1.39
2.40
1.52
2.67
2.36
4.66
5.49
.20
2.27
8.78
1.52
.79
i56
12.23 : 18.70
i[
2a 89
14.61
1
!
:
:
'
i;
>Not separately shown; included with “ Unclassified.”
YARDS
The interest as to yards centers around the experience with power
vehicles. The frequency rates of such accidents go from 123 in 1910
to 41.9 in 1924. This would be an excellent record if severity were
not considered. In 1910 severity of vehicular accidents was 26 and
in 1924 it was 37.03. In four of the five years the second period
records higher severity rates than corresponding years of the first
period.
It is a well-recognized fact that the hazards of power-vehicle oper
ation are difficult to combat. The steel mills have always had the
dangers arising from the steam locomotive, both standard gauge
where the railways enter for bringing raw material and narrow gauge
for intraplant transportation. In recent years there has been an
increased use of motor trucks, thus transferring to new localities the
hazard of such moving bodies. Whether this has influenced the
severity rates it is not possible to determine from the available data.
The severity rates for handling are, in general, next to those for
vehicles.
IRON AND STEEL INDUSTRY
81
TABLE 9 0 . — A C C ID E N T FREQUENCY AN D SEVERITY RATES FOR YAR D S, 1910 TO 1914
AN D 1920 TO 1924, B Y YEARS A N D A C C ID E N T CAUSES
Accident cause
1910
1911
1912
1913
1914
1920
1923
1921
1924
Accident frequency rates (per 10,000,000 hours' exposure)
40.0
0)
36.0
0)
104.0
118? 0
19.0
88.9
16.5
21.5
17.5
70.4
46.9
23.0
69.5
15.0
27.1
31.3
94.9
36.2
17.7
40.8
2.6
14.2
18.6
40.8
19.5
31.7
73.6
9.2
36.8
37.8
50.1
33.7
240.0
241.0 280.7
297.0
154.2
272.9
Machinery.........
Vehicles............ .
Hot substances..
Falls of persons.,
Falling objects..
Handling............
Unclassified.......
23.0
123.0
19.0
0)
109.0
0)
209.0
18.0
79.0
17.0
0)
83.0
0)
166.0
14.0
0)
67.0
<0
172.0
11.0
17.0
74.0
5.0
Total____
483.0
363.0
405.0
112.0
22.0
67.0
f■?..
il
21.6
41.9
8.8
28.9
218
44.0
25.7
195.7
Accident severity rates (per 10,000 hours' exposure)
Machinery____
Vehicles............
Hot substances.
Falls of persons.
Falling objects.
Handlii
ass
Total.
1.0
26.0
1.0
0)
1.0
0)
6.0
1.0
27.0
.3
0)
2.0
0)
4.0
14.0
11.0
.3
0)
3.0
(0
2.0
0.3
4.0
2.0
3.0
0)
1.0
(»)
2.0
0)
1.0
fi0
35.0
34.3
30.3
7.3
25.0
0.51
37.33
.22
.44
11.24
23.31
.24
.57
.56
2.11
2.23
11.59
22.29
.05
5.68
.49
6.37
11.13
35.20
.14
.56
.72
2.70
.45
a 17
37.03
.22
.45
1.13
1.07
.76
42.07
4a 26
46.71
5a 90
48.83
* Not separately shown; included in “ Unclassified."
MISCELLANEOUS ROLLING MILLS
The group of miscellaneous rolling mills is of interest because it
contains a large number of hand-operated mills and may be regarded
as giving a fair idea of the experience of such mills. The records
cover omy the last 5-year period. In that period there has been a
marked decline in accident frequency and a definite downward trend
in accident severity.
T a b l e 9 1 .—A C C ID E N T FREQUENCY AN D SE VERITY RATES FOR MISCELLANEOUS
ROLLING MILLS, 1920 TO 1924, BY YEARS AN D A C CIDEN T CAUSES
Accident cause
1920
1921
1922
1923
1924
Accident frequency rates (p er 10,000,000 hours'
exposure)
Machinery______ _______. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . __
Vehicles............. ..........................................................
Hot substances............................................. . . . . . . . . .
Falls of persons............................................... ............
Falling objects___. . . . . . . . . ................. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Handling........................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Unclassified... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
T o ta l...... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
64.5
5.0
44.1
22.5
31.5
124.0
31.9
54.5
5.6
28.6
16.0
31.4
918
30.0
39.7
6.0
27.2
7.8
41.9
49.7
27.6
414
2.8
18.0
15.6
27.1
60.4
22.9
29.1
2.9
22.6
16.0
313
58.5
18.*
323.5
260.9
199.9
191.2
181.6
Accident severity rates (per 10,000 hours' exposure)
Machinery.....................................................................
Vehicles................................................... ................. .
Hot substances.......................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Falls of persons............... .
Falling objects...............................................................
Handling..................................................... ..................
Unclassified............................ .....................................
3.62
2.26
3.65
1.83
3.17
2.71
.46
102
.18
.51
.20
.67
3.03
.52
3.39
2.82
4.87
2.83
.97
1.35
.39
4.97
.04
.37
.40
2.61
2.62
.55
7.97
.14
.53
.29
.86
1.36
.34
Total__________ ________________ _______ . . . .
17.70
- 9.13
16.62
11.56
11.49
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS IN UNITED STATES
82
ELECTRICA£ DEPARTMENT
In the electrical department during the five years 1920 to 1924
accident frequency declined but accident severity increased. Since
the same condition is found in the large group in which causes were
not recorded, it seems necessary to conclude that safety effort in this
department has not been so successful as in others.
Two observations are pertinent to the situation: 1 . When there
is a marked decline in accident frequency it is very easy to regard
this as a true index and to overlook the fact that accident severity is
rising; 2 . The use of electricity has been increasing enormously and
it may well be that this increase has outrun the precautions taken
to render its use safe.
T a b l e 02 .—ACCIDEN T FREQUENCY AND SEVERITY RATES FOR THE E LEC TR IC A L
D E P A R T M E N T, 1920 TO 1924, B Y YEARS AN D AC C ID E N T CAUSES
1920
Accident cause
1921
1922
1923
1924
Accident frequency rates (per 10,000,000 hours*
exposure)
Machinery_________. . . . . . . . . . . ____ . . . . __________
Vehicles.........................................................................
Hot substances__________________________________
Falls of p e r s o n s ..........______________ . . . . . . . . . . . .
Falliug objects____________ _______________ _______
Handling_____________________________ __________
Unclassified_____________________________________
Total_____________________________________
14.5
5.8
72.6
42.5
27.0
80.2
42.6
23.9
2.6
38.8
29.5
17.4
49.5
52.4
27.6
1.3
40.7
26.3
18.4
14.4
18.4
25.7
6.1
24.4
28.1
9.8
214
19.6
....... 26.2
17.8
9.5
8.4
16.7
284.2
214.1
147.1
138.1
91.7
13.1
Accident severity rates (per 10,000 hours' exposure)
Machinery__________ _____ ___________ __________
Vehicles________________________________________
_______ ________________
____ _____
Hot substances
Falls of persons__________________________________
Falling objects.__. . . . . . . . . . . . . ____________________
Handling............... .......... ..........................................
U nclassified..........._. . . . . . . . . . . . . . ______ _
1.48
5.85
.85
5.78
.77
1.64
.31
0.37
.01
8.64
.48
.26
.57
1.53
2.82
7.88
.56
.71
.41
.21
.19
2.30
.20
7.89
8.55
.15
.82
.34
11.98
7.00
7.82
.65
.25
.49
.41
Total....................................................................
16.68
11.86
12.78
2a 25 j
28.60
WIRE DRAWING
Only the experience of the last 5-year period is available for the
wire drawing department. The record shows that accident fre
quency declined to a considerable decree while accident severity
was pretty nearly the same in three of the years, going up sharply in
the other two. In 1921 there were serious accidents in the handling
of material, while in 1923 machinery furnished the heaviest severity
(22.50). With the old type of wire-drawing benches there was
very great danger that a workman’s hand would be caught in a kink
of the wire. If this happened, the loss of part or all of the hand was
almost sure to occur. The modem type of mill, now almost uni
versal, has an automatic stop which greatly reduces this hazard.
3BQN AND STEEL INDUSTRY
83
T a b l e 9 3 .—A C CIDEN T FREQU EN CY AND SEVERITY RATES FOR WIRE DR A W IN G,
1910 TO 1924, BY YEARS AN D ACC INDENT CAUSES
1921
1920
1922
1924
Accident cause
Accident frequency rates (per 10,000,900 hours*
exposure)
Madtiiaory..,...
Vehicles............
Hot substances.
Falls of persons.
Falling objects.
Handlir'"
“
lass
Total,
42.0
2.0
21.0
21.0
17.0
m o
89.0
20.9
&.0
17.9
18.0
6.0
66.0
29.9
21.0
3.0
6.0
8.0
9.0
68.0
50.0
32.6
2.5
15.1
7.5
12.6
50.2
60.2
' ' 6.0'
6.0
8.0
34.0
22.0
313.0
161.7
165.0
180.7
109.0
33.0
Accident severity rates (per 10,000 hours* exposure)
Machinery___________ ___ ___ _____
Vehicles..................................................
Hot substances..................................... .
JFaMs of persons_________ - __________
Falling objects...................................... .
Handling:.......................... ... ..............„.......
Unclassified......................... ................ .
Total........................................... .
4.70
2.00
.10 . . . . . . ___
4.20
.10
.20
.70
4.70
14.30
.80
5.20
8.20
Q)
14.10
31.10
3.60
0)
.10
.20
.20
1.30
8.60
22.50
.70
.23
.11
.30
1.23
11.20
14.00
36.27
13.60
.20
(*)
.30
.50
.20
14.00
‘ Not separately shown; included in “ Unclassified.”
SOT B O IiE fG OF SHSBTS
The group on which the accident rates for hot rolling of sheets are
based is rather small and may not represent typical conations. Both
frequency and severity rates are highly irregular and do not exhibit
it consistent trend.
T a b l e 9 4 .-A C C ID E N T
FREQUENCY AN D SE V E RITY RATES FOR HOT SHEET
ROLLING, 1930 TO 1924, B Y YEARS A N D ACC ID E N T CAUSES
1920
1921
1922
|
[
1923
1924
Accident cause
Accident-frequency rates (per 10,000,000 hours'
exposure)
Machinery_____ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . _____ _____ . . . . . .
Vehddes________________ ____ ____________________
Hot substances_______. . . ______________ __________
Falls of person___________________________________
Fatting objects__. . . . . . __ _________________ . . . ____
Handling_________ _________ ___________ ________
Unclassified_____________________________________
28.0
2.0
14.0
26.0
25.0
180.0
72.0
11.7
23.0
17.0
41.0
40.0
103.0
30.0
18.0
16.0
53.0
m o
71.0
90.0
26.0
10.3
77.0
77.0
m o
23.2
36.0
3.0
3.0
11.0
15.0
67.0
17.0
T o t a l ........_________ ____________ . . . . . ___
347.0
265.7
374.0
433.5
152.0
36.0
Accident severity rates (per 10,000 hours* exposure)
Machinery__. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . __________________
Vehicles................. ................ ......................................
Hot substances..............................................................
Falls of person...............................................................
Falling objects............................... .......................... .
Handling.......................................................................
Unclassified...................................................................
.20
.20
.50
2.20
.70
2.30
.30
1.20
1.20
2.70
1.30
1.40
0.90
.10
.10
3.30
1.50
1.80
4.70
8.90
3.00
2.00
4.60
1.20
1.37
3.60
12.30
.10
.10
.50
9.40
1.30
.50
Total....................................................................
6.60
10.40
12.40
24.67
24.20
2.80
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS IN UNITED STATES
84
The foregoing discussion gives a fair idea of the relative importance
of the main cause groups. Considered from the standpoint of accident
severity machinery still contributes the largest share of the damage.
On the accident frequency side handling of tools and material is the
major factor.
This situation suggests at once the nature and the point of appli
cation of remedial measures. Machine accidents are mainly con
trollable by various forms of “ engineering revision” which are dis
cussed at length elsewhere.8 The cases due to handling may be
reduced by instruction, which renders the worker skillful ana properly
careful. Too much emphasis can not be placed upon the fact that
the development of skill is much more important than cautionary
exhortation.
MINES, QUARRIES, AND METALLURGICAL WORKS
COAL MINES
The following tables are derived from the publications of the
Bureau of Mines, which issues a comprehensive annual statement.
Rates in these tables are given in terms of 1,000,000 hours’ exposure.
This is an approximation, since it was impossible from the data
available to determine exactly the number of hours worked. The
relations of these rates among themselves are correct, but they are
not perfectly comparable with similar rates found in other portions
of this bulletin.
It will be noticed that in Table 95 there are two methods of pre
senting the facts; namely, the rate per 1,000,000 hours’ exposure
and the rate per 1,000,000 tons mined. It is desirable to consider
both of these rates. That based on hours of exposure gives a meas
ure of the hazard of fatal injury encountered by the men. The rate
by quantity mined measures the cost of coal in terms of fatal acci
dents. It may be regarded as a satisfactory condition when both
these rates are declining with reasonable rapidity.
From 1907 to 1924 fatalities per 1,000,000 hours’ exposure declined
23.6 per cent, while fatalities per 1,000,000 tons mined declined 38.5
per cent. This more rapid decline of cost as compared with hazard
is undoubtedly related to the introduction of machinery and improved
methods. While a more rapid decline might fairly be expected, it
is gratifying that the movement is in the right direction.
•See United States Bureau of Labor Statistics Bui. No. 298, pp. 102-214.
MINES, QUARRIES, AND METALLURGICAL WORKS
85
9 5 .-M E N EM PLOYED, AVERAG E PRODU CTION PE R M AN, M E N KILLE D , AND
F A T A L IT Y RATES IN COAL M INES IN THE U N ITED STATES, 1907 TO 1926, B Y
Y EA R S
table
Men employed
Year
1907.
1908
1909
1910.
1911.
1912.
1913.
1914.
1915.
1916.
3917.
1918.
1919.
1920.
3921.
1922.
1923.
1924.
1925.
Tons mined
(short
tons)
477,892,536
409,309,857
460,807,263
501,596,378
496,371,126
534,466,580
570,048,125
513,525,477
531,619,487
590,098,175
651,402,374
678,211,904
553,952; 269
658,264,932
506,395,401
476,951,121
657,903,671
571,613,400
685,083,000
Actual
number
Fullyear
work
ers
674,613
678,873
519,462
441,267
728,348
722,662
747,644
763,185
734,008
720,971
757,317
762,420
776,569
784,621
848,932
860,560
779,613
531,689
534,122
541,997
593,131
526.598
511.598
565,766
634,666
654,973
542,217
601,283
474,529
405,056
560,000
499,894
Average
production
per man
(tons)
Per
year
Per
day
708 3.07
603 3.09
740
762
673
724
818
713
839
615
565
764
733
§."i4
3.10
3.29
3.20
3.26
3.46
3.48
3.42
3.45
3.41
3.65
3.66
3.92
3.91
3.81
Fatality Produc
per tion per
Men 1rate
000,000 death
killed hours’
(short
exposure
tons)
,
3,242
2,445
2,642
2,821
2,656
2,419
iS
2,269
2,226
2,696
2,580
2,317
2,271
1,987
1,979
2,458
2,381
2,230
2.08
1.85
1.77
1.66
1.49
1.57
1.55
1.48
1.31
1.42
1.31
1.42
1.26
1.40
1.63
1.46
1.59
147.407
167.407
174,416
177,808
186,887
220,945
209,261
234,297
265,094
241,618
262,873
239,082
289,857
254,854
233,576
267,492
240,072
Fatali
ties per
1,000,000
tons
mined
6.78
6.97
5.73
6.62
6.85
4.63
4.89
4.78
4.27
8.77
4.14
8.80
4.18
8.45
8.92
4.15
8.74
4.17
LOCATION AND CAUSES OF ACCIDENTS
Table 96 summarizes the facts regarding the place of occurrence
and the cause of accidents in coal mines from 1916 to 1924. The
underground occupations have much the larger share of fatalities,
and nearly or quite half of the underground fatalities result from falls
of material from roof or face. Attention has perhaps been too much
directed to those startling “ major casualties’ ’ in wnich by explosion
of gas or dust many hundreds of lives may be suddenly brought to
a close. Inspection of the rates in Table 95 will show that such explo
sions stand third in order of importance.
Table 95 shows that since 1907 there has been a material improve*
ment in hazard but from 1916 on, the record is irregular, with a
tendency somewhat upward.
It would be advantageous if the underground and surface exposure
could be separated. The underground rates would doubtless be
higher and surface rates lower than those of the table, which are
based upon the entire exposure, it not being possible from the data
at hand to make this separation.
INJ>USTfiIAIi ACCIDENTS IN UNITED STATES
T a b l e 06*—FATALITIES IN COAL MINES IN T H E
UNITED STATES, 1 9 1 6 T O Mfi5, B Y
Y E A R , PLACE OF OCCURRENCE, AND CAU8E
Place and cause
1916
1917
1918
1919
1920
1921
1922
1923
1924
1925
N u m b e r o f fatalities
Underground:
Falls of roof or face...................
Cars and locomotives..............
Explosions, gas or dust............
Explosives................................
Electricity................................
Miscellaneous...........................
Total underground________
962 1,218 1,294 1,100 1,132 1,024
506
341
381
408
482
390
191
16-1
129
116
170
362
128
152
135
111
206
146
88
76
90
79
69
80
129
112
118
m
127
130
905 1,162 1,062
341
415
350
372
311
536
92
114
100
74
75
81
77
117
100
1,078
360
345
102
84
100
2,027 2,379 2,281 ;2,077 2,020 1,831 1,800 2,255 2,229
2,060
Shaft__________________________
49
52
52
53
56
36
41
46
29
34
Surface:
Haulage.-...................................
Machinery__________________
Miscellaneous_______________
75
26
49
114
51
100
118
47
82
93
28
66
78
29
88
45
17
58
54
23
61
59
26
72
70
8
60
40
9
78
ldO
265
247
187
195
120
138
157
138
127
2,226 2,696 2,580 i2.317 2,271 1,987 1,979 2,458 2,396
I
!
2.230
Total surface______________
Grand total_______________
1
Fatality rates (p e r 1,000,000 hours* ex p osu re)
Underground:
0.57
Falls of roof or face...................
Cars and locomotives................ ........ .23
Explosions, gas or dust...................... .10
Explosives................................
.09
Electricity................................
.05
Miscellaneous............... ...........
.16
0.64
.25
.1 9
.06
.04
.07
0.66
.26
.07
.07
.04
.0 6
0.68 0.63
.23
.23
.1 2
.0 9
.0 7
.13
.04 j .04
.0 8 1 .0 6
0.72
.24
.0 8
.11
.06
.08
0.74
.2 8
.2 6
.08
.0 6
.06
0.69
.25
.2 2
.07
.04
.07
0.70
.23
.36
.07
.0 5
.07
Total underground________
1.19
1.25
1.16
1.28 i! 1.12
1.29
1.48
1.34
1.48
Shaft__________________________
.03
.08
.0 3
.03 |
! .03
.03
.03
.03
.0 2
Surface:
Haulage------- ----------------------Machinery__________________
Miscellaneous...........................
.05
.02
.03
.06
.03
.05
.06
.02
.04
.0 6
.0 2
.04
.03
.01
.01
.0 5
.0 2
.0 5
.04
.01
.04
.0 5
.01
.03
.0 4
.0 2
.05
Total surface______________
.09
.14
.1 2
.11 j .11
.0 8
.1 2
.0 9
Grand total__________ ____
1.31
1.42
1.31
1.42 ; i.2 6
1.40
1.63
1.46
.09
1.59 ---------
1
Table 97 affords a comparison of the hazards o f coal mining aad
railway operation. There is a common opinion that coal mining
is an unusually hazardous occupation. This is due to the fact
that from time to time, much too often, a sudden catastrophe
overtakes the workers in a mine and many of them are killed.
Then comes possibly prolonged rescue work, recorded from day
to day in the public press. All this tends to impress the public,
to the exclusion of consideration of the men, both in mining and in
railway service, who are taken one or two at a time. The table
indicates that railway service is about as hazardous as anthracite
coal mining and is distinctly more hazardous than bituminous coal
mining.
MINES, QUARRIES, AND METALLURGICAL WORKS
87
T a b l e 87*-C O A L -M IN E FATALITIES VERSUS STEAM -RAILW AY FA TA LITIE S: F ATAL
IT Y RATES (PER 1,000 EM PLOYEES), 1900 TO 191$, B Y YEARS
Fatality rates (per 1,000
employees)
Underground
workers in
Pennsylvania
coal mines
Year
I
Anthra-jBitumicite j nou3
1909...................................
1910...................................
m i ...................................
1912...................................
1913...................................
3.97 j
4.19 !
4.88!
3.90 i
4.33 I
!
Fatality rates (per 1,000
employees)
Rail
way
train
men
3.12
3.03
3.23
2.73
3. 59
4.87
5.41
5.49
5.22
5.05
Underground
workers in
Pennsylvania
coal mines
Year
Anthra Bitumi
cite
nous
1914...................................
1915...................................
1916...................................
1917...................................
1918...................................
3.98
4.01
4.28
4.27
4.35
2.33
2.61
2.92
3.13
3.10
Rail
way
train
men
4.73
3.53
4.07
4.23
4.29
METAL MINES
Table 98, while not giving a very clear idea of the trend of accident
experience in metal mining, does give an idea of the relative impor
tance of various types of mining. It is noticeable that since 1917
there has been a considerable decrease in the number of men em
ployed, there being 200,579 in 1917 and 123,128 in 1924. This is
due in part to changed methods of mining.
T a b l e 98.—NUM BER OF M EN EM PLOYED AND NUM BER KILLED AND INJURED IN
M E TA L MINES IN THE UNITED STATES, 1917 TO 1924, B Y KIND OF MINE
^Siincl of mine
Men employed
Ac
tive
oper
ators Under Sur Total
ground face
1917
Copper....................................... 649 43,715 17,560 61,275
Oold, silver, and miscellaneous
metal....................................... 3,166 35,812 16.080 51,892
Iron............................................. 205 31,549 25,681 57.230
Lead and zinc (Mississippi Val
ley).......................................... 369 15,075 5,194 20,269
NonmetalJic mineral................. 248 2,726 7,187
9.913
Total................................ 4,637 128,877 71,702 200,579
1918
Copper....................................... 524
Gold, silver, and miscellaneous
metal....................................... 2,429
Iron............................................. 176
Lead and zino (Mississippi Val
ley).......................................... 236
Nonmetallic mineral................. 271
Men injured (time
lost more than 1 day)
Men killed
Under Sur To Under Sur
ground face tal ground face Total
1352
22
374
16*532 3,403
19,935
166
135
30
56
196
191
7,144 1,241
8.872 3,406
a 385
12,278
65
9
3
14
68
23
727
125
767
714
4,544
1.144
852
36,755 9,531
46,286
17,201 3,312
20,513
5.429 2,418
6,858 2,763
7,847
9,621
601
854
3,746
1,188
646
32,967 9,948
42,915
42,286 17,161
59,447
180
40 220
28,061 15,582
28,775 24,890
43.643
53,665
152
128
29
51
181
179
3,660
9,157
14,004
11,847
43
10
4
9
47
19
Total................................ 3,636 112,156 70,450 182,606
513
133
10,344
2,690
1919
Copper....................................... 410 27,298 12,029
Gold, silver, and miscellaneous j
metal.......................................'2,430 21,868 10,262
Iron............................................. 157 28,234 19,442
Lead and zinc (Mississippi Val
ley).......................................... 141 10,075 2,893
Nonmetallic mineral................. 245 3,356 9,805
Total................................ 3,383
3,145
334
!
39,327
120
20
140
10,002 2,234
12,239
32,130
47,676
113
107
13
32
126
139
4,656
813
G, 907 2,191
5,469
9,098
12,968
13,161
42
5
3
12
45
18
363
2,822
414 1,104
3,185
1,518
90,831 54,431 145,262
388
80
468
24.801 6,705
31,506
I
1 Includes 161 fatalities due to the North Butte mine fire, Butte, Mont.
3,777
430
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS IN UNITED STATES
88
T a b l e 9 8 .-N U M B E R OF M E N E M PLO Y E D AN D NU M BER KILLED AND INJURED IN
M E TA L MINES IN THE U NITED 8TATE8, 1917 TO 1924, BY Y EA R S A N D KIND OF
MINES—Continued
Kind of mine
Men employed
Ac
tive
oper
ators Under Sur Total
ground face
1920
Copper....................................... 387 23,671 11,853
Gold, silver, and miscellaneous
metal...................................... 2,358 20,077 9,856
154 25,627 20,363
Iron............................................
Lead and zinc (Mississippi Val
119 8,861 2, **7
ley).........................................
Nonmetallic mineral................. 263 3,149 10,619
Men injured (time
lost more than 1 day)
Men killed
Under Sur T o Under Sur
ground face tal ground face Total
35,254
107
21
128
9,624 2,423
12,047
29,933
45,990
100
86
17
20
117
106
4,794
910
6,734 2,338
5,704
9,072
11,638
13,768
33
8
3
30
36
38
3,223
384
571 1,561
3*607
2,132
3,281 81,385 55,198 136,583
334
91 425 24,946 7,616 32,563
-- »~. --- ----...SS -- ■■■= = »
=====
■■■-■■ ■= = = = =
1921
357 12,865 5,435 18,300
649 4,722
Copper......................................
49
j 4,073
6
*
Gold, silver, and miscellaneous
12 78 ! 4,439
metal................................... 2,135 17,642 i! 8,874 25,516
66
913
5,352
122 17,501 113, a>8 30,559
Iron...........................................
45
20 65 | 3,126 1,381
4,507
Lead and zinc (Mississippi
14
187 2,062
Valley)....................................
66 ! 5,302 j 1,646 6,498
1,875
14
8
10
Nonmetallic mineral.................. 216 i 2,630 |8,976 11,606
18 I| 627 1,334
1,961
Total.
2,896 ; 55,940 37,989
Total1922
!
i
» ! | 17,547
93,929
1
8,192 j 25,739
Gold, silver, and miscellaneous
racial..................................... . 1,942 : 18,362 9,252 | 27,614
Iron........................................... . 110 ! 17,596 14,645 I|32,241
!
Lead and zinc (Mississippi
74 1 6,747 2,243
Valley)....................................
8,990
Nonmetallic mineral................. 199 j 2,530 8,583 11,113
;2,599 ! 62,782 42,915 ;105,697
1923
Copper................ .
Gold, silver, and r
metal................
Iron.....................
Lead and zinc
j
S
| 306 ! 21,655 10,822
!2,104 1 20,772 9,853
1 115 |20,086 18,333
! 82
i 218
i .
|2,825
Total.
j2,783 i
48
230 |
j 14,140 4,464
18,604
68
7
75
6,976 1,049
8,025
131
64
9
19
140
83
882
5,923
3,700 1,201
6,805
4,901
22
13
11
22
24
8,470
398
663 1,818
3,868
2,481
«
344 : 20,732 ',5,348
26,080
32,477
298 !
i
i
90 i
17
1
107 | 10,119 1,874
11,993
30,525
38,419
102 !
62 j
12
27
114 ! 7,078 1,594
89 ;j 4,260 1,356
8,672
5*616
25 1 2
10 ; 20
27 | 4,455
439
30 | 796 1,592
4,894
2,388
33,563
8,649
4,959
! 7,728 2,498 10,226
i 3,346 8,286 11,632
i.... .
i 73,587 49,692 123,279
i
|
1924
Copper....................................... 271 ! 21,369
G<ud, silver, and miscellaneous
metal....................................... 2,097 1 19,617
Iron............................................
104 ji 20,325
Lead and zinc (Mississippi
j 87 ji 9,431
! 224 ! 3,344
182
11,108
32,477
101
20
367 1 26,708 6,855
r
!
121 j 9,623 2,235
10.101
16,304
29,718
36,629
135
71
10
26
145
97
7,402 1,247
3,708 1,251
3,303 12,734
8,226 . 11,570
34
12
9
34
21
492
6,226
682 1,252
74,086 49,042 !123,128
!
289 :
78
353 | 65
1
418 ;j 26,641 3,477
11,858
33,118
Table 99 shows the accident rates for all metal mines from 1911 to
1924. The rate for injuries tends to rise. This is due, in considerable
measure, to better reporting rather than to increased hazard. This
appears when the fatality rates are considered. These decline for
underground workers from 1.83 in 1911 to 1.62 in 1924 (12 per cent).
Since fatalities are always more completely reported than are minor
injuries, this change may fairly be taken as an index of the shift in
hazard during this period. Inspection of the items of the table will
convince that there has been a real, though not very great, down
ward tendency in accident frequency.
MINES, QUARRIES, AND METALLURGICAL WORKS
89
T a b l e 9 9 . — N U M BER OF FU LL-YEAR W ORKERS A N D A C C ID E N T FREQUENCY RATES
FOR M E TA L MINES IN THE UN ITED STATES (P E R 1,000,000 HOURS' EXPOSURE), 1911
TO 1924, BY YEARS
Accident frequency rates (per 1,000,000 hours*
exposure)
Full-year workers
Year
1911....................................
1912.................................
1913....................................
1914....................................
1915....................................
1916....................................
1917...................................
1918....................................
1919....................................
1920....................................
1921....................................
1922....................................
1923....................................
1924....................................
Under Surface
ground
Total
98,389
105,153
121,293
91,659
89,821
125,601
126,815
113,441
85,769
80,215
45,199
59,454
73,669
72,631
156,089
161,662
183,593
142,619
141,997
192,455
192,085
181,006
136,282
134,540
74,510
97,138
121,866
119,113
57,700
56,509
62,300
50,960
52,176
66,854
65,270
67,565
50,513
54,325
29,311
37,684
48,197
46,482
Men killed
Men injured
Under
ground Surface Total
Under
ground * Surface Total
1.83
1.65
1.51
1.70
1.67
1.52
1.91
1.51
1.51
1.39
1.34
1.67
1.31
1.62
0.88
.82
.72
.61
.65
.61
.64
.66
.53
.56
.55
.41
.54
.46
1.48
1.36
1.24
1.31
1.30
1.21
1.48
1.19
1.14
1.05
1.03
1.18
1.00
1.17
72.43
78.81
70.15
87.27
106.62
102.04
96.61
96.87
96.39
103.66
104.28
116.24
120.85
122.27
3a 03
34.65
39.84
40.68
41.95
48.80
48.67
49.08
44.25
4a 73
5a 76
47.30
47.40
4a 43
56.76
63.37
59.86
7a 62
82.85
83.55
8a 32
79. OS
77.06
8a 67
83.23
89.49
91.80
92.68
QUARRIES
The increase in injury rates for quarries which appears in Table 100
is undoubtedly due to more complete reporting. The fatality rate
of the first five-year period is slightly higher than that for the second
period and in the last four years there has been a further pronounced
drop. The exposure during the interval has been singulany uniform.
The slightly declining death rate reflects the improvement in equip
ment and m method.
1 0 0 . — NUMBER OF M EN E M PLO Y E D ,
N U M BER OF M EN KILLE D A N D
INJURED, AND A C CIDEN T FREQUENCY RATES FOR QUARRIES IN TH E UNITED
STATES, 1911 TO 1920, BY YEARS
T able
Men employed
Men
killed
Year
Men
injured
Actual Full-year
number workers
Men
killed
1911...............................................................
1912...............................................................
1913..............................................................
1914...............................................................
1915...............................................................
110,954
113,105
106,278
87,936
100,740
84,417
93,837
87,141
68,187
82,447
Average, 5 y e a r s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
103,803
83,206
1916...............................................................
1917...............................................................
1918...............................................................
1919...............................................................
1920...............................................................
90,707
82,290
68,332
75,505
86,488
76,457
71,525
59,285
63,794
77,089
11,161
0.74
.76
.70
.88
.60
182
7,437
.73
29.80
173
131
125
123
178
13,427
13,242
8,719
9; 199
11,217
.75
.61
.70
.64
.77
58.54
61.71
49.02
‘ 48.07
48.50
Average, 5 years___ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
80,682
69,630
146
92,243
76,418
164
77,185
79,081
92,455
94,242
59,958
68,861
85,153
84,246
120
132
143
138
Men
injured
' 5,390
6,552
7,739
7,836
9,671
188
213
183
180
148
Average, 10 years______________ ...!!
1921...............................................................
1922........................................ ..............; ___
1923...............................................................
1924...............................................................
Frequency
rates
(p e r
1,000,000
hours’ exposure)
9,299 |
10,465
11,839
14,990
14,777
21.28
23.67
29.60
38.31
39.10
.70
53; 43
.72
40.56
.67
.64
.56
.54
58.18
57.31
58.68
58.34
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS IN UNITED STATES
90
METALLURGICAL PLANTS
Ore-dressing plants and auxiliary works show no material improve
ment in accident experience in the interval under consideration in
Table 101. In smelting plants the fatality rates declined from 0.64
to 0.18 (72 per cent) and injury rates declined from 58.24 to 37.55
(36 per cent).
T a b l e 1 0 1 .-A C C ID E N T 8
AND ACCIDEN T RATES IN M ETA LLU RG IC A L PLANTS IN
THE UNITED STATES, 1913 TO 1924, B Y YEARS
1
Men employed
Blind of plant and year
i
Actual '=Full-yeur
number ; workers
!
1
Men
killed
Ore-dressing plants:
16,154
14,985
16
1913.................................................. .
1914.........................................................
23
IS, 225
15,128
1915.........................................................
18,564 , 19,107
30
19161.......................................................
33
22,470 ; 23,470
1917«.....................................................
47
24,111 !1 24,372
19181.......................................................
2!. 809
22,517
35
19191.......................................................
17,262 ij 16,862
25
16,813
21
19201.......................................................
19211.......................................................
10,047
8,037
4
19221....................................................... i 11,676
11,052
12
1923 *.......................................................! 14.899
24
14,782
1924 i......................................................
lo, <3i>
16,093
20
Smelting plants: *
20,564
47
1913........................................................
24,309
1914.........................................................
27,879
33
32,336
1915..,....................................................
31.327
36,262
38
43,829
1910i.......................................................
49,363
36
19171.......................................................
44,376
50,639
53
39,899
45,439
42
19181.......................................................
1 9 i.......................................................
28,777
34
31,324
20
30,411
1920».......................................................
26,099
14,f>21
14,204
19211.......................................................
14
20,887
19221.......................................................
19,495
16
19231.......................................................
17
22.439
26,677
1924 *.......................................................
24,941
29,231
16
Auxiliary works:
1913,1914,19153......................................
14
1916.........................................................
14.007
15,763
1917.........................................................
15,555
17,014
16
17
1918.........................................................
18,044
20,111
1C, 172
5
1919.........................................................
15.GS1
18,363
1920.........................................................
16.306
20
9
8,762
1921.........................................................
8,308
17
12,829
1922.........................................................
14,069
17
1923.........................................................
16,533
18,040
15,520
17,024
19
1924.........................................................
Men
injured
Frequency
rates
(p o r
1,000,000
hours’ exposure)
Men
killed
Men
injured
1,977
1,434
2,095
3,184
2,952
3,142
2,057
2,624
16,827
1,214
1,984
2,549
2; 511
0.33
.50
.52
.17
.64
.55
.49
.41
.17
.36
.54
.41
40.79
31.40
36.55
45.22
40.37
46.51
40.74
54.75
50.35
59.84
67.48
52.01
4,247
5,673
5,718
9,656
7,745
G, 743
4,431
4,147
2,129
3,002
3,487
3,293
.64
.31
.35
.24
.35
.31
.36
.23
.33
.26
.21
.18
58.24
58.48
52.66
65.20
50.90
.49.47
47.15
47..44
49.96
47.90
43.57
87.55
2,246
2,881
2,808
1,638
2,092
1,151
1,692
2,388
2,422
.30
.31
.28
.10
.37
.30
.40
.31
.36
47.37
66.44
46.54
33.76
38.73
46.18
40.09
44.12
45.81
* Not including auxiliary works such as shops, yards, etc.
* Not including iron blast furnaces.
■Included under ore dressing and smelting plants.
COKE OVENS
A striking feature of Table 102 is the very great falling off in the
number employed in the beehive ovens. There were less than a
third as many in 1924 as there were in 1916. This, of course, means
the discarding of a wasteful and inefficient method, but apparently
the increased use of machinery gives accident rates rather higher in
by-product ovens than in beehive ovens.
91
MISCELLANEOUS INDUSTRIES
The beehive o v e n s tend to higher rates both for fatality and far
injury. The by-product process records a decline in fatality rates
from 1.04 in 1917 to 0.42 in 1924 (60 per cent), and from 100.02 in
injury rates in 1917 to 23.78 in 1924 (76 per cent).
TABLE 10% .— N U M BE R OP M E N E M PLO Y E D AND ACCIDEN TS AND A C C ID E N T RATES
IN BEEHIVE A N D B Y-PROD U CT COKE OVENS, 1919 TO 1924, B Y YEARS
Men employed
Men
killed
Year
Men
injured
Actual Full-year
number workers
Frequency
rates
(p e r
1,000,000
hours’ exposure)
Men
killed
Men
injured
Beehive ovens:
1910.........................................................
1917.........................................................
1918.........................................................
1919........................................................
1920.........................................................
18,570
18,820
16,4-12
13,333
10,955
18,591
19,295
16,436
10,829
10,094
24
25
19
10
11
1,866
1,822
2,155
1,364
1,035
0.43
.43
.39
.31
.36
33.46
31.48
43.70
41.09
34.18
Average, 5 years__________________
15,624
15,049
18
1,649
.40
33.58
1921........................................................
1922........................................................
1923........................................................
1924........................................................
By-product ovens:
1916.........................................................
1917................................ ........................
1918........................................................
1919........................................................
1920.......................................................
6,011
7,871
8,515
0,150
2,835
4,823
7,144
4,025
5
8
12
3
336
474
875
457
.59
.55
.56
.25
39.51
32.76
40.83
*37.85
13,033
13,597
15,947
15,408
17,184
15,528
16,300
19,040
16,845
19,827
21
51
54
43
38
3,371
4,891
5,637
2,667
2,380
.45
1.04
.95
.85
.64
72.36
100.02
98.69
52.78
40.01
Average, 5 years.... ........... ......... ......
15,034
17,508
41
3,789
.78
72.14
1921............... ........................................
1922........................................................
1923........................................................
1924........................................................
AH coke ovens:
10,193
11,407
15,214
14,001
11,033
13,413
18,483
16,656
12
21
33
21
1,517
1.236
1,718
1,188
.36
.52
.60
45. B3
3a 72
30.98
23.7$
1918........................................................
1919........................................... ............
1920............... - ......................................
31,603
32,417
32,389
28,741
28,139
34,119
35,595
35,476
27,674
29,921
45
76
78
53
49
6.237
6,713
7,792
4,G31
3,415
.44
.71
.69
.64
.55
51. IS
62.86
73.21
48.50
38.04
Average, 5 y e a r s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
30,658
32,557
59
5,438
.60
55.68
1921.........................................................
1922.........................................................
1923.........................................................
1924.........................................................
16,204
19,278
23,729
20,451
13,868
18,236
25,627
20,681
17
29
45
24
1,853
1,710
2,593
1,645
.41
.53
.59
.39
44.54
31.26
33.73
26.51
MISCELLANEOUS INDUSTRIES
STATE RECORDS
In an earlier section of this report the accident record of the various
States has been presented classified by industries. That record dealt
solely with the number of casualties. Such a record has an inform
ative value but fails entirely to afford any hint regarding relative
hazard, and consequently gives no suggestion regarding the place where
accident prevention methods may be profitably applied. For exam
ple, the fact that Indiana had 506 casualties in the m a n u f a c t u r e of
agricultural implements in the year 1925 while Ohio had 194 may
mean simply that the production of such implements is on a larger
scale in Indiana than in Ohio, or it may mean that danger of casualty
92
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS IN UNITED STATES
is much greater in Indiana. It is entirely impossible to determine
the significance of the facts without further investigation.
The steps in the process of converting the bare facts into a form
which has real meaning are these:
1. It must be determined how many man-hours of exposure
occurred in the portion of the industry covered by the record in
each State.
2 . The number of casualties must be divided by the man-hours of
exposure, giving frequency rates.
When the resulting rates are compared it is found that the con
cerns covered in Indiana had a frequency rate of 45.20 cases per
1,000,000 hours’ exposure in the manufacture of agricultural imple
ments, while Ohio had 60.02 cases; that is, frequency of accident
was considerably greater in Ohio than in Indiana.
Of course, many other factors may need to be considered in reaching
a final conclusion, but so far as it goes such a comparison of rates
gives some real information regarding relative hazard and can there
fore be used as a basis for accident-prevention study.
In view of the fact that rates have been so little used in accident
studies, outside of railways, mines, and the iron and steel industry,
theTJnited States Bureau of Labor Statistics has sought to encourage
the development of accident rates and has published such as were
available from time to time. Recently the bureau has sought to
utilize the information contained in the State accident reports by
relating such data for selected establishments to data regarding the
number of man-hours worked by such establishments. The accident
data were obtained through the cooperation of the various State
agencies. The employment data were obtained directly from the
establishments.
The selection of the establishments was as follows: For some time
the bureau has obtained monthly reports of volume of employment
from some 10,000 concerns. This list had bfeen carefully chosen to
cover adequately the various important industries and to include
plants of both large and small size. Fifty-two industrial groups are
covered by the employment studies. From these 24 were selected
as having the greatest significance from the standpoint of accident
study. A small amount of additional information from each concern
made possible the determination of a close approximation to the
man-hours of exposure. The combination of these items—namely,
exposure and accidents— gave the rates hereafter presented. Table
103 shows the accident rates for the only States (Ohio, Illinois, and
Minnesota) for which information was available for both 1924
and 1925.
MISCELLANEOUS INDUSTRIES
93
T a b l i 1®3*— ACCIDEN T FREQUENCY AND SEVERITY RATES FOR SPECIFIED INDUS
TRIES IN OHIO, ILLINOIS, AND M INNESOTA, 1924 AND 1925
A c c id e n t frequency
rates (per 1,000,000
hours’ exposure)
Number of cases
industry
Fullyear
work
ers
Per
ma
Death nent
dis
abil
ity
Accident severity rates
(per 1,000 hours’ ex
posure)
Tem
Per Tem
Per Tem
ma po
po
ma po
To
rary
To
rary
nent rary To
Death nent
dis dis tal Death dis dis tal
dis tal
abil abil
abil abil
abil
ity ity
ity ity
ity
1924
Agricultural im p le ments.......................... 3,142
Automobiles........
5,648
Automobile tires______ 5,772
Boots and s h o e s ........ 1,614
Brick..... ....................... 3,514
Electrical machinery... 4,626
Flour.............................. 2,921
Foundry and machine
shops........................... 17,774
Furniture....................... 5,333
Glass.............................. 1,283
Lumber—planing mills. 1,852
Machine tools................ 3,635
and pulp............. 1,171
Pottery...__ ___ ______
953
Slaughtering and meat
packing....................... 19,911
Steam fittings, appara
tus, and supplies........ 1,424
Stoves............................. 3,278
Structural-iron work___ 1,187
1
2
1
1
ID 361 380
17 495 512
25 1,741 1,767
1
23 24
522 537
13
46
364 411
113 120
6
9
1
1
2
1
1
79 1,928 2,016
204 226
21
5
289 295
15
128 145
9
322 332
13
148 162
2
60 62
11
98 1,311 1,420
3
1
3
3
6
272
325
303
2.02 38.32 40.34
1.00 29.21 30.21
0.06 1.40 97.18 98.64
0.33
.21 4.75 4.96 ...........
.19 1.23 49.52 50.94
1.14
.43
.07 3.31 26.23 29.61
.68
.11 .681 12.89 13.68
1
.15 1.32 32.14 33.61
.90
.38
.06 1.31 ; 12.75 14.12
.26 1 . 30;i 75.07 76.63
1.56
.36 2.70 23.04 26.10
2.16
.09 .83,, 29.53 30.45
.55
.28 3.70 42.14 46.12
1.71
.70, 21.00 21.70
1
.18 1.64, 21.95 23.77
1.10
275
331
310
.70 63.68 64.38
.31 .31 33.05 33.67
.28 1.68 85.06 87.02
20
266 292
12
182 196
52 2,962 3,017
124 124
9
629 641
21
360 382
6
191 201
.42 1.40 18.58 20.40
.13 .77 11.68 12.58
.07 1.16 66.32 67.55
11 12.39il2.39
.16 .47 32.75:33.38
.04 .82 14.1014.96
.39 .58, 18.49119.46
47 1,635 1,686
26 212 238
2
414 416
57
6
66
5
258 263
7
163 172
1
80 81
.07
1.83
1.68
1.62
1.00
1.60
.06
.68
2.99
.85
0.68
.55
1.18
.11
.97
.34
.18
2.30
1.59
3.11
.17
2.79
3.76
1.71
1.08
.91
1.36
5.17
.55
2.83
.84
.45
.26
.83
.71
.31
.67
.47
2.43
1.55
2.75
8.04
1.41
5.21
1.31
1.21
.70 3.01
.49
.24
.94
.79 1.28
.31 2.38
1.04 3.67
1925
A gricultural im p le
ments......................... 4,771
Automobiles.................. : 5,193
Automobile tires............' 14,882
Boots and shoes_______ 1 3.336
Brick..............................s 6,402
Electrical machinery--J 8,512
Flour..............................1 3,443
Foundry, and machine
shops........................... 19,205
Furniture___ . . . __ . . . . 5,289
CHass... . . . . . . . . . ______ 1,552
Lumber—planing mills. 1,563
Machine tools___ . . . . . . 2,960
Paper and pulp............. 1,510
Pottery.......................... 1,206
Slaughtering and meat
packing....................... 19,648
Steam fittings, appara
tus, and supplies____
692
Stoves............................ 1,753
Structural-iron w ork ... 2,069
!
6
2
3
3
1
4
4
3
2
15
63 1,300 1,378
2
2
4
14
122
124
275
459
277
477
2.51 1.18
.77 .79
.40 1.06
.94 1.00
.23 .65
2.32 .52
.42
.82 28.3829.27
1.64 13.37ll5.01
.43' 88.93*89.36
.64 1.28!! 12.15114.07
3.84
.56 29.0529.61
.44 1.55! 35.99137.98 " 2."65
.28 22.12 22.40
i
!I
.25 1.07, 22.06 23.38
1.53
.69
1.15
.77
1.66
.39
1.59
.50
.31
.21
.74
.19
.51
.13
.25
4.00
1.77
2.20
.19
2.45
1.01
3.09
.34
.28
.75
.30
.29
.64
.31
1.45
1.43
1.52
5.80
.68
4.88
.81
.90
.43 2.86
.96 58.8059.76
.51
.48
.38 52.30 52.68
.64 2.26 73.94 76.84 """3.87 2.38
.81 1.32
.49 .97
.99 7.24
1
According to this table the frequency rates range in 1924 from 4.96
for boots and shoes to 98.64 for automobile tires. In 1925 the range
is from 12.39 for boots and shoes to 89.36 for glass. In 12 industries
there is a decline in the rate from 1924 to 1925 while 6 industries
show a rising rate.
2063°—27------7
94
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS IN UNITED STATES
The declines are as follows: Agricultural implements from 40.34
to 20.40, or 49 per cent; automobiles from 30.21 to 12.58, or 58 per
cent; automobile tires from 98.64 to 67.55, or 32 per cent; brick
from 50.94 to 33.38, or 34 per cent; electrical machinery from 29.61
to 14.96, or 49 per cent; foundries and machine shops from 33.61 to
29.27, or 13 per cent; planing mills from 26.10 to 14.07, or 46 per
cent; machine tools from 30.45 to 29.61, or 3 per cent; paper and
pulp from 46.12 to 37.98, or 18 per cent; slaughtering and meat pack
ing from 23.77 to 23.38, or 2 per cent; steam fittings from 64.38 to
59.76, or 7 per cent; structural-iron work from 87.02 to 76.84, or 12
per cent.
The increases are: Boots and shoes from 4.96 to 12.39, or 150 per
cent; flour from 13.68 to 19.46, or 42 per cent; furniture from 14.12
to 15.01, or 6 per cent; glass from 76.63 to 89.36, or 17 per cent;
pottery from 21.70 to 22.40, or 3 per cent; stoves from 33.67 to 52.6S,
or 56 per cent.
Two cautions are pertinent regarding conclusions to be drawn
from these figures:
1. In several of the industrial groups the exposure is not large
enough to be as authoritative as could be desired.
2 . Percentages of increase and decrease are not comparable with
each other. Increases can be compared with increases and declines
with declines, but a per cent of increase is not comparable with a
per cent of decline.
Not only is it desirable to consider the frequency of accidents, but
if the whole story is to be told some device must be utilized which
will bring out the relative severity. To this end the Bureau of Labor
Statistics developed and has utilized the severity rate. This rate is
coming to be more generally used as industrial managers come to be
aware of the new light which it sheds on the accident problem .9
In the case of the three States from which data have been secured
for the years 1924 and 1925 it was possible to compute severity rates
and these are also shown in the table. They are expressed in terms
of days lost per 1,000 man-hours of exposure; death and permanent
disabilities are given a fixed time allowance in terms of days.
When these severity rates are examined it appears that in 12 indus
tries there was a decline in severity and in 6 a rising severity rate.
The relation of the two rates to each other is indicated by the fol
lowing: In 8 industries both frequency and severity declined. In 2
industries both rose. In 4 industries frequency declined and severity
rose. In 4 industries frequency rose and severity declined.
The amount of decline in severity in the different industries is as
follows: Automobile tires from 3.11 to 2 .20 , or 29 per cent; brick
from 2.79 to 2.45, or 12 per cent; electrical machinery from 3.76 to
1.01, or 73 per cent; foundries and machine shops from 2.43 to 1.45,
or 40 per cent; lumber from 8.04 to 5.80, or 28 per cent; machine
tools from 1.41 to 0.68, or 52 per cent; paper and pulp from 5.21 to
4.88, or 6 per cent; slaughtering and meat packing from 3.01 to 2.86,
or 5 per cent; furniture from 1.55 to 1.43, or 8 per cent; glass from
3.75 to 1.52, or 59 per cent; pottery from 1.31 to.0.81, or 38 per cent;
stoves from 2.38 to 0.97, or 59 per cent.
• For full account of standard method of computing frequency and severity rates, see U. S. Bureau of
Labor Statistics Bui. No. 276. p. 68.
MISCELLANEOUS INDUSTRIES
95
The rising severity rates are in the following industries: Boots and
shoes from 0.17 to 0.19, or 12 per cent; flour from 1.71 to 3.09, or 81
per cent; agricultural implements from 2.30 to 4.00, or 74 per cent;
automobiles from 1.55 to 1.77, or 14 per cent; steam fittings from 1.28
to 1.32, or 3 per cent; structural-iron work from 3.67 to 7.24, or 97
per cent.
Table 104 summarizes by industries the data gathered from 11
States for the year 1925. It represents a fair sample from 24 indus
tries located in 11 States, operating 1,272 plants and employing the
equivalent of 555,988 full-year workers. The exposure and the
number of cases are sufficient in nearly every case to make the rates
a fairly dependable index of average conditions. A further extension
of collection of such data into other States and additional industries
is greatly to be desired; in fact, it is necessary if a standard presenta
tion is to be secured.
T a b l e 1 0 4 .-A C C ID E N T
FREQUENCY AND SEVERITY RATES FOR SPECIFIED INDUSTRIES IN 11 STATES, 1925
Industry and State
Foundry and machine shops......................................................
Furniture. - ___________________ . . . . . ____ . . . . . . . . . . . ______ ;
Total
States
8
8
3
5
9
3
4
8
3
11
10
4
5
10
4
7
8
2
3
3
6
4
10
2
ii
!
i
;
!
;
I
1
;
'i
55
73
23
31
94
19
31
71
27
25ft
165
40
26
64
22
48
34
13
13
7
44
29
60
25
16,295
: 189,385
20,097
11,200
15,595
10,999
11,609
: 60,653
'j
3,616
75,404
! 24,519
i 12,138
j
9,301
9,852
10,223
6,033
11,142
3,148
23,900
1,473
6,212
3,988
6,521
12,682
9
56
4
8
5
3
13
4
18
:
1 i
2
6
11 i
1!
5
I
15
1 ;
1 i
6
1 !
78
704
62
6
29
33
35
229
7
324
80
18
30
58
24
17
80
3
81
3
38
*
42
13
1,137
0.18
1,050
.10
i 4,247 |
! 5,007
! 3,068 ji 3,134
.07
i
252 ;j
258 . . . . . . .
■ 1,050 ! 1,087
!
94 1
.15
132
192
230
.09
.07
! 1,170 i 1,412
203
214
.37
3,763
.08
! 3,421
;
903
983
.03*
!
529
548
214
.07
!
182
605
541
.20
!
567
602
.36 j
i
332
350
.06 i
590
675
.15 i
156
160
.11
■ 1,645
1,741
.21 ;
75
78
335
.05
374
356
352
.08
559
.31
607
!
33
47
.03 <
1.60
1.24
1.03
. 18
.62
1.00
1.00
1.26
.65
1.43
1.09
.49
1.08
1.96
.78
.94
2.39
.32
1.13
.68
2.04
.25
2. 15
.34
23.31
2 7.80
57.08
0.88
30.46
4.87
5.63
0.46
1ST. 71
23.62
14.06
24.37
11.17
10.78
18.49
21.09
20.47
16.52
22.94
16.97
31.52
43.08
48.49 ■
1.59
25.09
9.14
59.08
10.06
31.25
6.02
6.72
10.79
19.73
25.13
16.05
24.89
12.32
21.94
19.63
22.09
23.01
16.95
24.28
17.65
33.61
43.41
50.95
1.96
1.10 ! 1.26
.59 ;i 1.02
.4 0 j: 1.06
1
.13
|
! '’ i.‘ o3i i .73
| .91 1.45
i .52 1.49
.43 1.12
.57
2.21
.48 1.24
.79
.16 ; .65
.43
.82
1.22 2.62
I 2.15
.66
.33
. 77
|
I .90 3.20
; .64
.87
!| 1.26
.94
;
.54
jr v i »
1.89
! .50
.24
! 1.84 J.95
''
.24
.16
i|
!!
!
!
i
j
,
!
|
;
:
i
0.42
.16
.84
.19
.55
.15
.18
.24
.27
.43
.25
.27
.29
.49
.48
.27
.75
.37
.42
. 19
.74
.45
.75
.05
2.78
1.77
2.30
.32
2.31
2.51
2.19
1.79
3.05
2.15
1.04
1.08
1.54
4.33
3.29
1.37
4.85
1.88
2.62
.73
2.95
1.19
4.54
.45
STATES
Slaughtering and meat packing.................................................
Stamped and enameled ware
- - __
Steam fittings, apparatus, and supplies...................................
Stoves______ . . . . ____ __________________ ________________
Structural-iron work..................................................................
Per- Tem
maDeath ; nent porary
disa
disa bility
bility
UNITED
Paper and pulp...........................................................................
Total
IN
Leather........................................................................................ i
Lumber—planing mills...............................................................
Lumber—sawmills......................................................................
Per Tem
ma
Death nent porary
disa
disa bility
bility
ACCIDENTS
Carpets..................................................................................... *.
Chemicals.....................................................................................
Electrical machinery...................................................................
Total
INDUSTRIAL
INDUSTRY »
Agricultural implements............................................................
Automobiles................................................................................
Automobile tires.........................................................................
Boots and shoes_________________________________________
Num
Fullber of
Per Tem
estab
year
lish workers
ma
Death nent porary
ments
disa
disa bility
bility
Accident severity rates (per
1,000 hours’ exposure)
Accident- frequency rates (per
1,000.000 hours* exposure)
Number of cases
Num
ber of
States
or in
dus
tries
I
\Indus-'
Illinois.............
Indiana...........
Iowa................
Maryland.......
Michigan........
Minnesota___
New Jersey___
New York.......
Ohio................
Pennsylvania.
Wisconsin.......
Total..
i
trie*
13
13
9
12
7
12
14
15
15
19
11
J20
122
51.330
i
i
54
52 :
44
eo ;
113
J31 j
161 !
342 !
73 !
1,272
20,585
11,074
7,199
165.918
13,744
46,066
70,053
43,2J3
93,733
28,083
555,988
21 ; 134
1 51
i
j
2 ; 40 [
I i 12 !
48 ; 580 ;
14 ! 55 ;
7 : 223|
26 511
13 I 120 ;
- 26 i 226 i
12 > 95 I
i
1, 73'
2,219
880
478
3,624
1,141
1,010
1,733
7,043
1,631
1,892
2,271
922
491
4,252
. 14
1,210
.34
.03
1,240
2,270
7,176
252
1,738
.02
.06
.05
.10
.12
.10
.26
.14
3 II. 2fc
35.93
26.49
1.20
22.13
.56
*7.28
1.17
27.67
1.33
J4.65
1.03
2.43
38.25
.93
54.32
2.23
(4>
1.13
19.36
.87
.83
i
:
;
:
i
!
;
;
12.29
36.78
27.75
22.74
8.55
29.34
5.71
10.80
55.35
2.48
20.63
.82
.10
.58
2.04
:8
.60
1.54
.85
i
.21
.37
.56
0)
.41
1.78
1.06
1.77
1.57
1.64
3.99
2.09
3.90
2.09
3.20
1.81
INDUSTRIES
.27
.50 !
.40
.45
.16
.49
MISCELLANEOUS
disabilities terminating in the first week.
* Data for temporary disabilities not available.
.69
.46
1.01
.84
.90
1.46
1.57
2.79
.93
1.66
.55
•si
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS IN UNITED STATES
98
Table 105 shows accident rates by industries for each of the 11
States. In general the Bureau of Labor Statistics avoids computing
rates where the exposure is less than the equivalent of 1,000 fullyear workers. In this case, however, it seemed best for the sake of
completeness to include even those groups in which the exposure was
less than the standard amount.
Some unfortunate deficiencies in the data must be pointed out.
The data for temporary disabilities in Pennsylvania could not be
secured, therefore in computing rates for temporary disabilities
Pennsylvania exposure was not used. Illinois, Michigan, and New
Jersey do not report disabilities ending in the first week. New York
has hitherto omitted those ending in the first two weeks. The effect
of these omissions is to lower the frequency rates for temporary disa
bilities. The severity rates are so little influenced by these deficiencies
that the effect may be disregarded.
T a b l e 105.—ACCIDEN T FREQUENCY AND SEVERITY RATES IN SPECIFIED INDUS
TRIES, 1925, BY STATES
AGRICU LTU RAL IM PLEM ENTS
Number of cases
State
Illinois..............
Indiana............
Iowa.................
Minnesota___
New York.......
Ohio.................
Pennsylvania..
Wisconsin........
Total___
Num Fullber of year
estab work
Per
lish
ma
ments ers Death nent
disa
bili
ty
13|
9i
4'
5
3i
13j
5;
3j
2.808
3,732 .........i
418
2
886
1.615
1 !i
4
1,077
1,282
i
4,476
1 !j
55; 16,295|
9
9
17
2
14
9
3
24
Accident severity rates
(per 1,000 hours* ex
posure)
Accident freq u en cy
rates (per 1,000,000
hours' exposure)
!
Per Tem- ■
Per Tem
Tem-J
ma P°- !
ma po
po- 1
nent rary To Death nent- i-ary j Torary ; To
disa disa-! tal
disa-! tal Death disa disa tal
bili bill- ;
bili bili
bill- i
ty
ty
ty
ty 1
ty j
s
!
>65
74
0.68 i 0.15 0.83
! 1.07 17.72 8.79
0.54 1.38
.72 2.G4
488 506! 0.09 1.52 43.59 45.20
.44 .44
38 38.......... ;....... ! 30.2730.27
.75 . 75i 7.53i 9.03
4.52 '".'56
.08 5.16
20‘ 24
1.24 3.14 * 23 4.61
45
.21 2.89; *6.19 9.29
230
.9011.35
181 194j 1.24 2.781 56.00 60.02
7.43 3.02
.34 .........i .34
.78
3
i .78
<3) :
.34 1.74
228 253j
.07 1.79; 16.9818.84
.45 .95
78 1,0501,137
.18 1.60- 23.3125.09
i
i
i
.42; 2.78
1. lOj 1.26
AUTOMOBILES
Illinois.............
Indiana______
Michigan.........
New Jersey___
New York
Ohio.................
Pennsylvania..
Wisconsin........
Total___
8 2.9901
2!
4 2.239 ..........
25 152.620
421
j
5 3,113
15 11,919
6|
•> 2,202
1
5 7,851 .........5:
1:
6 6.450
73 189,385
7 1 4.r>| 54 0.22
17ffl 185
9
549 3,2103,801
.09
25
721 97
.17
85'1 5 issi 279
5
137i 142.
4! (3) ! 46. ‘ ” .'21
.05
24
403
56' 704 4,247j5,007.
1
0.78 1 5.02 6.02
1.34
1.31 26.21 27.55
1.20 7.01 8.30 ""'."55
2.68 7.71 10.39
1.01
2.38 25.26 7.81
.76 20.73 21.49
1.95
i.27
1.74
1.24 '19.53 20.82
.31
.10 1.24
7.80 9.14
0.27 10.11
.47
.27
.91
.14
.19
2.28
2.42 2.25
.35
1.50
1.22 . . . . . .
.41
.62
1.71
.74
1.60
2.47
3.68
1.85
2.49
1.34
1.77
.59 1.02
i
*16
AUTOM OBILE TIRES
!
0.12 1.21 1 11.76 13.09!
0.73 2,03! 10.37 3.13
10i1 1 97i 108
. 74 2.20
52!1 2,96213,017!
.07 1.161 66.32 67.55!
.40 1.06!
1.13
9 <3) j
......... 1.22j.......... 1.22j. . .......
Total___
25; 20,097
4
62 3,068-3,134!
i Data for temporary disabilities ending in first week not available.
1 Date for temporary disabilities ending in first two weeks not available.
1 Data for temporary disabilities not available. ■
1!
.40 1.06|
1
.07 1.03j 57.98 59.08*
•
1
1
1
1
3
2”
New Jersey___
Ohio.................
Pennsylvania..
t
7! 2,749
12! 14,888
6! 2,459
.84 2.30
MISCELL AX EO US IX I) USTitlUS
99
T a b l e 1 0 5 t -ACCIDENT FREQUENCY ANT) SEVERITY RATES IX SPECIFIED INDUS
TRIES, 1925, BY STATES—Continued
BOOTS AND SHOES
A ccidcn t f r o q u e n c y
rates (per 1,COO,000
hours’ exposure)
Number of cases
State
Num
ber of Fullyear
Per
estab work
lish
ma
ments ers Death nent
disa
bili
ty
Accident severity rates
(per 1,000 hours’ ex
posure)
Per Tem
Tein-j
Per- Temma po
mo- J popo' i! m
rary
To- Death nent rary : To- Death nent rary To
disa- disa- tal
disn-i tal
disa disa tal
bili- j bili.
bilibili bili
i
ty j ty
ty
ty
ty
Illinois.............
Maryland........
New York.......
Pennsylvania..
Wisconsin........
5 3,336
7 8.510
7 2,238
8 2.697
4 2,079
>124'
Mi
*21
(*)
53-
124
54
25
55!
.32
8.50; 8.82
Total___
11,200
252
258:.
.18
9.88:10.06
.......>12.3912.
___ ! 21.14 21.14
0. 60 * 3.13' 3. 73
0.51
10.19 0.19
. 44! .44
>.Uj .62
.14
.17: .31
.19; .32
BRICK
Illinois..........
Indiana.........
Iowa..............
Maryland___
Minnesota__
New Jersey. _
New York___
Ohio..............
Pennsylvania.
12i 3,802
10|
696
16; 1,013
5;
470
57
1,900
iS 1,008
2,542
19; 4,106
Total. .
94! 15,595
!
<
I
i
I
1197:
204 0.09: 0.53 117.27 17.890.53
166j 167.......... i .48! 79.5680.04'
74!
76
. 33 . 33: 24.36 25.02, 1."
52' 52................... ! 36.88 36.88:
61
6 .......... :....... j 34.9034.901
1 70: 78!.......... 1.40:112.2813.68:
259! 68!
.66 2.31*319.5122.48j 3.97
.
426! 431:
.26 . 39: 55.86 36.51; 1.57
3s (3) :
5.16 . 24:
.40!
■a
Si
29; 1,050; 1,087
.17
i
.62- 3a 4631.25|
!
I
i
1.03
1 .13 >0.45 2.11
.14
.10
.71 .85
.45 2.53
.99
1.01 1 [
1.62 >1.
.84
.62
.97
.73
1.29
6.62
3.03
1.27
. 55 2.31
CARPETS
New Jersey___ :
New York.......
Pennsylvania..Total___
3
2
14
857
5,571
4,571
19; 10,999
3! 127;
27; 267j
3 <3)
5
33
1
2
!
1:
1222-
94
1.17 MO. 50111.67
30!.
97. 0.18 1.
84.01 i 5.81
.15 .22 ........ ! .37
5i
. 15 1.00
132i
4.87 6.02
....... ! 3.23 ia 2 9 3.52
1.08! 2.31 *. 13 3.52
.88! .08
.96
.91 1.45
.15 2.51
CHEMICALS
M aryland...
New Jersey___
New York.......
Pennsylvania..
T otal..
17j 6,778j
7 3,236!
2
2 0 6 - ..
31: 11, (i
i
3o|
i
i
!
!
44; 45............ ! 0.25 11.03;11.28........... 0.0S
189! 102: 0.05 . 59! 1 4.381 5.02: 0.30 .65
*59; 83;
. 21 2.27! * C. 08? 8.56s
1.2 3.96
!
!
1
“ i”
192| 230:
.09 1.00; 5.63 6.72
0.25 0.32
1.13 1.08
*26 5.46
.18 2.19
ELECTRICAL M A C H IN IS T
!
Illinois..............:
Iiidiana.......... !
Maryland........ j
Minnesota....... .
New Jersey___ !
New York........!
Ohio.................|
Pennsylvania..!
Total___ i
13:
3!
2
1
13!
9
17i
13i
4,914!
1
3,080..........
851=..........
8 ..........
8,329'
1
20,454
4
3,560!....
19,441
7
71 60,667!
13;
154
184
30
1
1140
2456
305
(0
69
0.071 0.94; i 3.64 4. to
187!........... I .32. 19.91 20.23
30!........... !........ * 11.75 11.75
I!........... ;........ i 43.17 43.17
203!
.04! 2.48: » 5.60 8.12
„
534i
.07! 1.211 *7.43 8.71
312........... : .66 28.56 29.22
76
.12! 1.18s..........} 1.30
1,170 1,412.
.07
9.4610.79
1 Data for temporary disabilities ending in first week not available.
* Data for temporary disabilities ending in first two weeks not available.
• Data for temporary disabilities not available.
0.40 0.54 10.07! 1.01
.17) .27
........ .10
.24? .24
2.37! 2.37
.24 2.47 U5i 2.86
.39: 1.29 * 33 2.01
.22 1.03
___ ! .81
.72 .80 ......... 1.52
.43i
112
.24
1.79
100
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS IN UNITED STATES
T a b l e 105.—A C CIDEN T FREQUENCY AND SEVERITY RATES IN SPECIFIED INDUS
TRIES, 1925, BY STATES—Continued
FLOUR
Accident fre q u e n cy
rates (per 1,000,000
hours* exposure)
Number of cases
State
Num Fullber of year
estab work
Per
lish
ma
ments ers Death nent
disa
bili
ty
Accident severity rates
(per 1,000 hours* ex
posure)
Tem
Per Tem
Per Tem
po
ma po
ma po
rary To Death nent rary To Death nent rary To
disa tal
disa disa tal
disa disa tal
bili
bili bili
bili bili
ty
ty
ty
ty
ty
9
9
Iowa.................
Maryland........
Minnesota.......
6
2
19
143
29
3,443
4
1
6
3
4
191 j 201
Total___
27
3,616
4
7|
i
203' 214
|
0.39
.37
20.86 20.86
11.31 33.94 45.25
.58 18.49 19.46,
.65 18.7M9.73 (
!
8.48
.52
0.57 0,57
.90 0.38
.25, 3.09
2.211 .57
.27j 3.05
2.32
FOUNDRY AND MACHINE-SHOP PRODUCTS
Illinois..........
Indiana..........
Iowa...............
Maryland___
Michigan___
Minnesota...,
New Jersey...
New Y o rk ...
Ohio..............
Pennsylvania.
Wisconsin....
T otal...
!
15
10
10
5
9
21
15
29
109
14
10,293
1,
2,785
1,317
4,078
1,282
5,672
10,104
7,629
27,121
257 75,404
5j
1!
18
I
J.0.84;
J.>7.74 8.61
1239 266! 0.03!
415 418 . ___! .58 78.281------73.76.
.12; 1.80; 37.8239.74
316 332
155 162:
.251 1.52! 39.2240.99
>133 149;
.081 1.23;>10.87 12.18
70 ^5|
.26| 1.04; 18.20 19.50;
>234! 291
.12; 3.23 *3.75 17.10
.10: 4.22 310.62 14.94:
*322 453!
1,326,1,345
.09 . 74; 57.93 58.761
64
.06; . 58!
47 (') I 52
.10, .82 21.7622.
21li 220
8
324 3,4213,763.
|
I
0.19. 0.78! >0.26
.16
.78
.72 1.38
.52
1.52; 3.35
.64
.49 .94 >.26
1.56. 1.25
.41
.71! 2.31 >.41
.59 3.90 *.58
.52 .46
.43
.371 .53.
.62 . 321 .43
.48, 1.24
1.23
.94
2.62
5.53
1.69
3.22
3.43
5.07
1.41
.90
1.37
. 43 2.15
FURNITURE
Illinois_______
Indiana__ ____
Iowa _______
Marvland____
Michigan_____
Minnesota.......
New York
Ohio.................
Pennsylvania-.
Wisconsin........
T o ta l....
16 2,828!..........
50 6,086|..........
504!..........
5
7
422!..........
5 2,013;..........
8
634;..........
14 2.930_____
15 1.821
32 i,393|..........
13 2,888!...........
165 24, 519
8
23
8
17
3
107}
469-'
36;
30.
32
46;
76
85!
17:.
I*)"
82
85:.
80
903j 983
10
11
1.18 >11.43 12.61
.60 25.09 25.69
23.79 23.79
23.72 23.72
>5.30 5.
4.20 19.97 24.17
2.
*6.03 8.65
1.46 14.09 15.55
1.29
1.29
.35 9."46 9.81
>97
458
36
30
>32
38
*53
0.71 >0.26
.26
.24
.19
.58
1.20
2.76
.36
2.70 *.27
1.26
.76
.14
.17
14.96ll6.05
0.97
J50
.19
.58
.20
3.12
2.97
1.55
.76
.31
.79
.25 1.04
1
1
!
2
65
67
0.63! 20.6121.24
0.19
7i >50; 58
0.07 .50: >3.60, 4.71
0.43 .76
2j 414! 416
.43; 88.9389.36
.77
7ij 0
\)/ 1| 7 .......... .4 8 ......... | .48 .......... .59
0.31 0.50
>.10 1.29
.75 1.52
.59
GLASS
Marvland........
New Jersey___
Ohio.................
Pennsylvania..
Total.. . .
4
6
5
25
1,051
4,632
1,552
4,903
40 12,138
!
........... I
1|
........... !
...........
---------1|
lj
1
18!
!
529j 548
1
.03
.49 24.37j24.89
.16
.65
.27 1.08
LEATHER
Illinois..............
New Jersey___
New York........
Pennsylvania..
Wisconsin........
T o ta l....
5 1,378
7 1,455
6
763
14 3,870
4 1,835
1
1
7
15
3
2
3
26
2
30
9,301
1 58!
65.......... ! 1.69 >14.0315.72
1.91 >0.34
2.11 >.23
>33
48:.......... ! 3.43 >7.56il0.99
*17
2.62 1.84 *.35
21; 0.44! 1.31 *7.43 9.18
.05
2!.......... i .17 .........! .17
0)
78;
.18; .55 13.44; 14.17 ” 1.09 .16
.28
74
182! 2141 .07 1.08 11.17il2.32
.43 .82
.29
ii
1
1
1 Data for temporary disabilities ending in first week not available.
* Data lor temporary disabilities ending in first two weeks not available.
* Data for temporary disabilities not available.
2.25
2.34
4.81
.05
1.53
1.54
101
MISCELLANEOUS INDUSTRIES
T able 105—-ACCIDEN T FREQUENCY AND REVERITY RATES IN SPECIFIED INDUS
TRIES, 1025, BY STATES—Continued
L U M B E R -P L A N IN G M ILLS
Accident frequency
rates (per 1,000,000
hours’ exposure)
Number of cases
State
Num Fullber of year
Per
estab work
ma
lish
ments. ers Death nent
disa
bili
ty
Illinois..............
Indiana____. . .
Iowa ______
Maryland . . . .
Michigan.........
Minnesota____
New York.......
Ohio.................
Pennsylvania..
Wisconsin........
Total___
8
667
8
624
7 1,770
5
272
1
260
4
458
14 2,682
3
438
5
735
9 1,946
2
64
9,852
l
31
3
2
9
>28
93
44
38
139
2
>84
27
(»)
186
6
58
541
1
i
l
3
2
5
1
2
PerTem
mapo
rary To Death nent
disa
disa tal
bili
bili
ty
ty
Accident severity rates
(per 1,000 hours’ ex
posure)
Tem
Per Tem
po
ma po
rary To Death nent rary To
disa tal
disa disa tal
bili bili
bili
ty
ty
ty
33
1.00 1.50 U4.00 16.50 6.00
1.07 49.71 sa 78
95
.94 8.29 9.23
49
39
1 1.23 46.55 47.78
7.69
42
1.28 2.56 149.99 53.83
1.45 1.45
2 ....... i
3.85 >10.44 14.41 "“ “."75
116
31
.76, 2.28 20.53 23.57
4.56
.91 . . . . .
2
! .91 • - 1.03
196
.17, 1.54 31.86 33.57
605
.20' 1.96 19.78 21.94
1
2.40 10.48 8.88
.35 .67
.32
1.24
.20 1.44
3.68 1.15 4.83
2.50 11.04 11.23
.01 .01
6.03 >.51 7.29
2.28
.33 7.17
1.91
1.91
.80 ' .76 2.59
1.22 2.62
.49 4.38
LUMBER—SAW M ILLS
Maryland_____
Michigan.........
Minnesota.......
Wisconsin........
l!
2o!
5 5,455
5: 2,228
11 2,520]
4
1
6
Total-. . .
22 10,223]
11
J
2
7 U20 131— 6:24 0.43
5
123 129
.15 .75
12 322 340|
.79 1.59
24
567
602
. 36
33.17 33.17
17.33 8.00
18.40 19.30
42.59j44.97
.78 18.49*19.63
1
1.18 1.18
1.47 0.47 1.23 2.17
.50 2.36
.90 .96
4.76 .79 1.01 6.56
2.15
.66
.48 3.29
M ACHINE TOOLS
Illinois..............
Indiana............
New Jersey___
New York.......
Ohio.................
Pennsylvania. W isconsin........
5
3
5
6
19
7
2
1,197!.
124.
477;.,
551!
1,763!..
1,119L.
Total___
48
6,033j
120
15
110
>10
23
15
14
240
25
30
350
(K84 1 5.57 6.41
40.32 40.32
4.19 113.28 17.47
0.61 1.
>6.05 8.48
.38 44.99 45.37
12.47 13.72
.06 .94 21.09 22.09
0.25 1 0.19 0.44
.60 .60
3.78
4.07
3.63 2.18 >.27 6.08
.48 .37 .85
.22 .84
.77 .27 1.37
PAPER AND PULP
I llin o is .........
In d ia n a ........
Iowa.................
Michigan___ _
Minnesota.......
New York........
Pennsyl vania..
Wisconsin........
Total......
I
5
378
3
560
1
322
1 1,179
3 1,132
12 4,597
4 1,532
5 1,642
1
1
1
1
1
114
15
3
50 53
1
19
18
3 173
76
7
149 157
58 >235 294
3 (»)
4
57
5
51
34 11,142
5
80
590
675
0.88
.29
.07
.22
.20
i
112.34 13.22
5.29s....... 10.21 5.50
1.79 29.78 31.57 ...........! 0.80 3.63 4.43
2.73 49.11 51.84 ...........1 2.05 1.36 3.41
.85 120.63 21.48 .......... 1 .25 1 .54 .79
1.77; 2.12
.78 4.67
2.06 43.89 46.24
4.21 >17.04 21.32
.44! 6.77 >.67 7.88
1.3i; .30 .........! 1.61
.65
.87
1.01 ”10.35 11.56
1.22j .40j .23 1.85
.15 2.39 20.47 23.01
.90! 3.20
j
.75 4.85
i
1 76 79 0.17 0.34 113.0413.55
80 8 1 .
.28 22.12j22.40
156 160
.11 .32 16.52:16.95
1.10
10.41 2.54
.31 .81
.37
PO T TE R Y
New Jersey___
Ohio.................
Total___
6 1,943
1,206
13 3,148
i;
3
1 Data for temporary disabilities ending in first week not available.
2 Data for temporary disabilities ending in first two weeks not available.
i Data for temporary disabilities not available.
I
.50
.64 .87
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS IN UNITED STATES
102
T a b l e 1 0 5 ,-A C C ID E N T FREQUENCY AND SEVERITY RATES IN SPECIFIED INDUS
TRIES, 1925, BY STATES—Continued
SLAUGHTERING AND M EAT PACKING
Accident frequency
rates (per J.000,000
hours' exposure)
Number of coses
State
Accident severity rates
(per 1,000 hours' ex
posure)
Num Fullber of year
L
estab work
Per-!|TemPer-!i TemPer- Tem
lish
ma- j! pom a-!1 poma- po
ers
To
nent,
;
rary
To
neut
rary
neat : rary To
ments
Death disa disa tal Death disa disa tal Death disa
disa tal
bili bili
bili bili
bili bili
ty
ty
ty
ty
ty
ty
Illinois..............
Iowa_________
Minnesota.......
7 16,412
4 4,252
2 3,236
12
T o ta l....
13 23,900
15
3
41 1 767
18 345
22 533
820
363!1
558
81 1,645 1,741jj
0.24 0.83 1 15.58 16.65
1.46 0.50 10.33 2.29
.40! 1.51
1.41 27.04 28.45
1.11
.31 2.27 54.91 57.49 “ T £ 2.94
.91; 5.70
.21 1.13 22.94|24.28
1.26
.94
.42: 2.62
STAM PED AND ENAMELED W ARE
Indiana___
Maryland..
Ohio..........
24!
388...
187-..
098...
Total..
75
1,473:..........
....... 0.14 0.14
0.54'......... .54
1.00, .28 1.28
13.61113.61
1.79 .........! 1.79
.95 24.34125.29
1'.......
53j
78
16.97jl7.65
I
.54
.19
.73
STEAM FITTINGS, APPARATUS, AND SUPPLIES
Indiana............
Minnesota.......
New Jersey___
New York.......
Ohio.................
Pennsylvania..
1
1
5
4
9
24
T o ta l....
44
214|_,
261 ,
1,149|.
1,45-SI.,
m i..
2, 669:
43
2
1 70' 79
121
J20l 122
7
<3>
7
;j 335) 374
1
i
i
58. 71-68.71
25.55125.55
2.61 * 20.30;22.91
4.80 2 22.86:27.66
1.00 00.10-61.10
0.12 .75 ....... .87
. 05; 2.04 31. 52j33. 6i
a 55,
.40!
4.23 ». 56j
4.00 *. 88
.53; .82=
0.75 .26!.........:
0.55
.40
4.79
4. 88
1.35
1.01
.32 1. 89;
74: 2.95
0.17
“ ."48
0.54 0.71
.14 3.14
.49 .97
1.58
.50! .24
.45 1.19
STOVES
572
399
1,753
1,264
Indiana............
Maryland........
Ohio................
Pennsylvania..
T otal--..
72:
5i
275!
(*) j
29
3
352
73:
5 ....
277.....
1 0.26
356'
.08
0.58 41.9642.54
4.18 4.18
52.3052.68
........ i .26
. 25! 43.08 43. 41
1.58
STRU CTU RAL-IRON W ORK
Illinois..........
Indiana.........
Iowa..............
Michigan___
Minnesota...
New Jersey..
New York__
Ohio..............
Pennsylvania
Wisconsin___
929
1,419
2,681
212
T otal...
60| 6,524
1 29
296
153
35
66
313
354
38
1.13; 9.02 '•32.69 42.8l!
3 0 ........... j 2. 17 : 76.07:78.24|.
6.76 9.58 » 1.1117.45
1.30
.52 1.82
2 i:::::::!T 2 6 ;r i^ 6 9 22: 351:
.941 5.65 8.47j
7.
1 .62| 8.60
. 27i 12.69
11.29 1.13
3.95,3 11.4815.79j
1.17; 99.5710C.97)
3.24!..........: 1.36;
3 .15! 25.17 28.32!.
2.15: 3.78 *.45
1.41 i 1.20 1.15 3.76
.75; .45
1.20
1.
“'.*57 2.22
9'
100
1.88:
,_J...........!....... !......... •........L
6
11
5
10
2!
232
424
(»)
16
42i
559
44
.3630
. 23j
11
rl2
18:........... !
607j
. 31j 2.15! 48.49.50.95
1.84; 1.95
. 75| 4.54
WOOLEN GOODS
New Jersey___
Pennsylvania..
T o t a l....
4
21
6,910'.,. ...J
5,772;
l!
25 12,682j
lj
9! 133
4: (3)
13j
33
l ! 1- 0.06
47!
.03
0.43 »1.59 2.02
.23
.29
.34
1.59 1.96
1 Data for temporary disabilities ending in first week not available.
* Data for temporary disabilities ending in first two weeks not available
* Data for temporary disabilities not available.
0.35
.16
0.22 10.06* 0.27
.26 .........1
.24
.05! .45
1
MISCELLANEOUS INDUSTRIES
103
AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS AND SUPPLIES
Table 106 rccords the experience from 1912 to 1924 of a large com
pany engaged in the manufacture of agricultural implements and
supplies. The three sections of the industry have different hazards
and for this reason are shown separately. General manufacture
declined in frequency during the interval covered from 78.34 to 24.49,
or 69 per cent; woodworking from 64.41 to 23.77, or 63 per cent;
binder twine from 60.87 to 12.84, or 79 per cent.
Accident severity is much more irregular but when the whole
period is considered there is a definite downward trend. General
manufacture declined in severity from 1.80 to 1.16, or 36 per cent;
woodworking from 2.06 to 1.40, or 32 per cent; binder twine from
1.37 to 0.87, or 36 per cent.
.The rates shown in this table for 1924 may be compared with
those for agricultural implement manufacture in 1925, shown in
Table 105, as follows: Frequency 25.09 and severity 2.78.
T able 106..—N U M BER OF FULL-YEAR W ORKERS, N U M BER OF ACCIDENTS, A N D
A C C ID E N T FREQUENCY AND SEVERITY RATES FOR THE AGRICULTURAL M A
C H IN ERY AND SUPPLIES IN DU STRY, 1912 TO 1924, BY YEARS
Operation and year
Agricultural machinery, genera! manufacture:
1912..............................................................................
1913..............................................................................
1914..............................................................................
1915..............................................................................
1916..............................................................................
1917..............................................................................
1918..............................................................................
1919.............................................................................
1920..............................................................................
1921.............................................................................
1922 .........................................................................
1923 ............................................................................
1924....................... .........: ..........................................
Operation of woodworking machines:
1912............................................................................
1913..............................................................................
1914..............................................................................
1915..............................................................................
1916..............................................................................
1917..............................................................................
1918..............................................................................
1919..............................................................................
1920.............................................................................
1921..............................................................................
1922..............................................................................
1923..............................................................................
1924..............................................................................
Manufacture of binder twine:
1912..............................................................................
1913..............................................................................
1914..............................................................................
1915..............................................................................
1916..............................................................................
1917..............................................................................
1918..............................................................................
1919..............................................................................
1920..............................................................................
1921..............................................................................
1922.............................................................................
1923..............................................................................
1924..............................................................................
Full-year
workers
Frequency Severity
(per
rates
Number of rates
(per 1,000
1,000,000
accidents hours'ex
hours' ex
posure)
posure)
23,118
22,832
13,955
13,654
16, m
19,487
20.152
18,652
23.136
9,077
11,624
15,171
13,461
5,433
4,894
1,571
1,059
1,826
2,334
2,094
1,668
2,059
580
704
1,289
989
78.34
71.45
37.53
25.85
37.65
39.92
34.64
29.81
29.67
21.30
20.54
28.32
24.49
1.80
2.64
1.64
1.80
2.38
2.15
2.29
2.07
2.34
1.0ft
1.98
2.00
1.16
1,925
1,858
1,179
1,064
1,191
1,576
1,707
1,571
1,589
652
698
1,0?2
757
372
315
1G8
82
122
134
197
123
125
38
38
102
54
64.41
56.52
30. 55
25.70
34.14
38.92
38.47
26.10
26.22
19.44
18.15
33.12
23.77
2.08
2.84
1.87
1.58
5.02
1.22
2.99
1.35
1.70
5.11
1.79
2.69
1.40
2,875
2,753
2,401
2,305
2,828
2,114
2,493
1,844
2,166
1,606
1,483
1,423
1,453
535
394
296
186
205
191
153
73
121
81
77
93
56
60.87
47.71
41.09
26.90
21.16
30.11
20.45
13.19
18.62
16.82
17.31
21.71
12.84
1.37
2.69
2.86
.58
1.80
.69
2.39
.73
.76
.45
.40
.58
.87
104
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS IN UNITED STATES
BUILDING CONSTRUCTION
Table 107 presents several interesting phases of hazard in building
construction*' The rates for Group A illustrate the effect of accidentprevention effort directed primarily toward severe accidents. In this
group there was marked improvement in the severity rates while
frequency rates were practical^ at a standstill. The rates for
Group B show what can be accomplished by intensive effort applied
to the reduction of both frequency and severity of accidents. Data
for Groups C l and C 2 illustrate the fluctuating and very high rates
which thus far have appeared in every record of experience in fabrica
tion and erection.
T a b l e 107.—NUM BER
OF FULL-YEAR W ORKERS, NU M BER OF A C C ID E N TS, A N D
A C C ID K XT FREQU EN CY AN D SE VERITY KATES IN BUILD ING CONSTRUCTION,
1919 TO 102,% BY YEARS
Year
Group A (general contractors):
1919.....................................................................
1920......................................................................
1921......................................................................
1922 i....................................................................
1923 *....................................................................
1924 !....................................................................
Group B (general contractors):4
1919....... ......................... ....................................
1920......... ...................... .....................................
Group C 1 (fabricators and en-ctors):
1922 »......................................... ..........................
1923 *.............. ...................................................
Group ('2 (fabricatorsand erectors):8
1924......................................................................
1925......................................................................|
!
i National Safety News, July 1923, p. 48.
* Idem, July, 1924, p. 42.
* Idem, July, 1925, p. 40.
Hours of
exposure
(thou
sands)
Fre
quency
Full-year Number
rates
(per
acci 1,000,000
workers of
dents
hours' ex
posure)
Severity
rates
(per 1,000
hours’ ex
posure)
4.140
7.035
3. (if*5
17,527
22,633
19,009
1.380
2,545
1.232
5,842
7.544
6,337
216
300
184
1,268
1,226
1,118
52.2
39.3
49.8
72.4
54.2
58.8
6.1
10.1
3.4
5.8
4.8
4.6
14.788
11,362
4,929
3,787
247
177
16.7
15.6
3.1
1.2
3,«4»
533
1,316
178
564
122
142.8
228.9
5.4
65.6
2.043
2.546
2,592
681
849
864
213
251
196
104.0
97.0
76.0
8.3
22.6
10.0
* Idem, August, 1921, p. 23.
• Idem, May, 1926, p. 10.
Construction will always present serious difficulties from a safety
standpoint wrhich are not encountered in industries which have a local
habitation. The apparatus is necessarily so constructed that it can
be transported from place to place. This mobility involves some
hazards not pertaining to apparatus which can be installed perma
nently. The men who carry on the construction processes are a more
fluctuating group than those concerned in manufacturing. Both
contractor and owner are apt to be anxious to push the job with all
practicable speed. All these things conspire to render difficult the
task of securing a reasonable degree of safety.
EXPLOSIVES, DYES, AND CHEMICALS
The first part of Table 108 records the experience to and including
the year 1920 of one large company engaged in the manufacture of
explosives, dyes, and chemicals. The second part covers the experi
ence of several companies which are members of the chemical section
of the National Safety Council. The table is not extended enough
in some particulars to warrant conclusions, but the general impression
105
MISCELLANEOUS INDUSTRIES
is of a very decided declining tendency both in frequency and severity.
For example, between the industrially active years of 1910 and 1920
frequency dropped from 30.57 to 16.80, or 45 per cent, while severity
changed from 14.43 to 3.67, or 75 per cent.
Tit RLE 108.—N U M BE R OF FULL-YEAR WORKERS, NU M BER OF ACCIDENTS, A N D
A C C ID E N T FREQU EN CY A N D SEVERITY RATES IN THE M ANUFACTU RE OF
EXPLOSIVES, DYES, AN D CHEMICALS, 1908 TO 1924, B Y YEARS •
Hours of
exposure
(thousands)
Year
SS6 SS6 SS8S9 i i
^sfss'tfsfsf^sfsfsfssf
HHHfH
1908............................................................
1909............................................................
1910............................................................
3911............................................................
1912............................................................
1913........... ■_...............................................
1914................ ..........................................
1915............................................................
1916............................................................
3917............................................................
>918............................................................
3919............................................................
3920............................................................
Frequency rates (per 1,000,000 hours’
exposure)
Full-year
workers
Fatal
accidents
Nonfatal
accidents
3.50
2.06
2.20
1.20
.80
1.71
.57
.59
1.07
.43
.46
.41
.50
25.87
36.05
35.33
25.69
18.22
16.30
3,321
4,043
4,690
4,728
4,573
4,291
4,133
53,466
37,527
39,734
65,135
17,208
16,132
Total
26.46
37.12
35.76
26.15
18.63
16.80
ii
1
Hours of
exposure
(thousands)
Year
Frequency
(per
Number of rates
1.000,000
accidents
hours’
exposure)
Full-year
workers
14.070
4,690
1910............................................................
48,396
16,132
1920............................................................
430
813
Severity
rates
(per 1,000
hours*
exposure)
30.57
16.80
14.43
3.67
5.08
2.80
17.61
6.14
24.55
26.13
4.78
3.07
Explosives
2924 s..........................................................
4,330
1,443
22
Dye manufacture
1924*..........................................................
5,450
1,817
96
Chemicals
lf.23 *..........................................................
3-9243..........................................................
18,044
48,450
6,015
16,150
422
1,187
>National Safety News, Feb. 21,1921, p. 4.
s Idem, June, 1925, p. 31.
LIGHT AND POWER
No additional information has been secured regarding accidents in
the light and power industry since the publication of Bulletin No.
339. The experience then reported shows the possibilities of vigor
ous safety effort so clearly that it seems desirable to reproduce the
table.
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS IN UNITED STATES
106
109.—N U M BER OF FULL-YEAR W ORKERS, N UM BER OF ACCIDENT3, AND
A C C ID E N T FREQUENCY AND SEVERITY RATES IN A LIGH T AND POWER COM
PAN Y, 1918 TO 1922, B Y YEARS
T able
Fre
Hours of Equiva
quency
Number Number rates
(per
exposure
lent
of
1,000,000
(thou full-year of acci
deaths hours’
dents
sands)
ex
workers
posure)
Year
Group A : 1
1918.........................................................
1919.........................................................
1920........................................................
1921........................................................
1922........................................................
Group B: 1921_________ ____________ ___
2.059
2.059
2,100
1,931
2,317
16,800
686
686
700
643
772
5,600
3
2
7
5
2
5
74
69
123
47
31
387
35.9
33.5
58.6
24.3
13.3
22.8
Severity
rates
(per t.000
nour3’ ex
posure)
9.03
6.23
20.90
15.99
5.40
2.00
» National Safety News, February, 1923, p. 33.
MANUFACTURE OF CAMERAS
Table 110 contrasts the accident occurrence in two 6 -month
)eriods for the manufacture of cameras. These rates are naturally
ow, since there is in the production of cameras a large number of
light and relatively nonhazardous operations. The table illustrates
what can be accomplished even in such circumstances by determined
effort. Accident frequency declined 30 per cent and accident sever
ity 47 per cent.
I
1 1 0 .— N U M BER OF FULL-YEAR WORKERS, N U M BE R OF ACCIDENTS. AND
A CCIDEN T FREQUENCY AND SEVERITY RATES IN THE M ANUFACTURE OF
CAMERAS, JANUARY TO JUNE, 1919 AND 19201
T able
Hours of Equivalent Number of
exposure
full-year
accidents
(thousauds)
workers
Period
January to June, 1 9 1 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
January to June, 1 9 2 0 ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2,994
3,063
998
1,021
Frequency
rates (per
1.000,000
hours'
exposure)
44
30
13.2
9.2
Severity
rates
(per 1,000
hours'
exposure)
0.30
.16
» National Safety News, Aug. 30,1920, p. 7.
Table 111 shows a remarkably regular decline in frequency in the
industry during the period 1910 to 1922. The drop is from 36.6 to
5.6, or 85 per cent.
T a b l e 1 1 1 .— ACCIDEN T FREQUENCY RATES IN THE M A N U FACTU RE OF CAM ERAS,
1#10 TO 1922, BY YEARS
j!
Year
1910............................
1911.............................
1912.............................
1913.............................
1914.............................
Frequency
rates (per
1,000,000
hours’
exposure)
36.6
23.9
20.4
18.4
9.1
Year
Frequency
rates (per
1,000,000
hours’
exposure)
1915...........................
1916........................... ii
1917........................... !
1918........................... !i
1919........................... 11
I1
Year
7.3 ; 1920...........................
6.8 ; i92i...........................
7.2 S192!?...........................
8.0
9.2
i
Frequency
rates (per
1,000,000
hours*
exposure)
8.1
6.3
&6
107
MISCELLANEOUS INDUSTRIES
PORTLAND CEMENT
Table 112 is drawn from the publications of the Portland Cement
Association. This organization was among the first to compile
statistics on a satisfactory basis and their annual studies are models
of statistical presentation.
The table shows a very steady decline in both frequency and sever
ity. Frequency declines from 43.50 in 1918 to 26.08 in 1925 (40
per cent) and severity goes from 6.05 to 5.00 (17 per cent) in the
same period.
T a b l k 11 3 ,-N U M B E R OF FULL-YEAR W ORKERS, NU M BER OF ACCIDENTS, A N D'ACCI
DEN T FREQUENCY AND SEVERITY RATES IN THE M ANUFACTURE OF PORTLAND
CE M E N T, 1918 TO 1925, BY YEARS i
Fre
Severity
Hours of
quency rates
Number rates
(per
exposure Fufl-year Number
(per
1,000
of
acci
of
(thou
workers
1,000.000 hours' ex
dents
deaths hours’
sands)
ex posure)
posure)
Year
1918...............................................................
1919...............................................................
1920....... -.............. - .....................................
If 21........................................ ......................
1922...............................................................
1923..............................................................
1924...............................................................
1925...............................................................
55,215
48,743
50,586
f2 247
HSL&27 I
76, fill
87.767
97,415
18,405
16,248
19,862
20.749
21.176
25,547
29,256
32,472
2,401
2,225
2,750
2,727
2,597
3,190
3,098
2,541
38
39
53
44
53
43
60
61 !
43.50
45.65
46.16
43.81
41.00
41.02
35.30
26.08
6.05
7.15
7.60
6.18
6.50
6.48
5.87
5.00
1 Portland Cement Association: Study of accidents, 1918; Accident Prevention Bulletin, SeptemberOctober, 1920; July-August, 1921; May-Jime, 1G22; May-June, lc»23; March-April, 1924; July-August,
1&25; and May-June, 1926.
PAPER MILLS
The figures in Table 113 show the experience of the concerns that
are members of the paper section of the National Safety Council.
In the interval from 1920 to 1924 frequency declines from 46.34 to
41.58, or 10 per cent, and severity from 2.60 to 2.07, or 20 per cent.
T a b l e 1 1 3 .— N UM BER
OF FULL-YEAR W ORKERS, N U M BER OF ACCIDENTS, AND
ACCIDEN T FREQUENCY AND SE VERITY RATES, IN PAPER MILLS, 1920 TO 1924, BY
YEARSi
Year
Hours of
exposure
(thousands)
Full-year
workers
79,574
81,19$
106,830
115,902
100,300
26,525
27,065
35,610
38,634
33,433
1920.............................................................
1921...............................- ............................
1922............................................................
1923............................................................
1924............................................................
Frequency
(per
Number of rates
1,000,000
accidents
hours’
exposure)
3,684
3,380
5,106
5,042
4,171
46.34
41.68
47.77
43.50
41.58
Severity
rates
(per 1,000
hours’
exposure)
2.60
2.83
2L36
2.73
2.07
i National Safety News, June, 1925, p. 30.
PETROLEUM REFINING
The data on petroleum refining are not as yet extensive enough to
permit the formulation of a judgment, but apparently the plants
covered by Table 114 have not thus far made any noteworthy
progress.
108
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS IN UNITED STATES
T a b l e 114.—N U M BER
OF FULL-YEAR W ORKERS, N UM BER OF ACCIDENTS, AND
ACCIDEN T FREQUENCY AND SEVERITY RATES IN PETROLEUM REFINING, 1921
TO 1923, BY YEARS
Year
Hours of
exposure
(thousands)
Full-year
workers
Number of
accidents
Frequency
rates (per
1,000,000
hours’
exposure)
27,010
72,815
39,228
9,003
24,272
13,076
841
2,617
1,292
31.15
35.94
32.93
19211..........................................................
1922 2..........................................................
1923 (6 months)3........................................
* National Safety News July, 1922, p. 31.
* Idem, May, 1923, p. 24.
Severity
rates
(per 1,000
hours'
exposure)
1.86
1.86
1.91
9 Idem, October, 1923, p. 46.
RUBBER
The rubber section of the National Safety Council has maintained
a very carefully worked out statistical presentation of their experi
ences for the past five years. The rates are somewhat irregular, with
no definite trend.
Besides the accident rates the section has prepared an excellent
analysis of accident causes.
T a r l k 115.—NUM BER OF FULL-YEAR W ORKERS,NUM BER OF ACCIDENTS, AND ACCI-
DENT FREQUENCY AND SEVERITY RATES IN RUBBER INDUSTRY, 1921 TO 1925,* BY
YEARS
Year
Hours of
exposure
(thousands)
Full-year
workers
83,101
123,152
134,272
125,594
173,438
27.700
41,051
44,757
41,865
57,813
1921.............................................................
1922.............................................................
1923............................................................
1924............................................................
1925............................................................
Frequency Severity
(per rates (per
Number of rates
1,000,000
accidents hours'
hours'
ex 1,000
exposure)
posure)
2.196
4,431
4,182
3,449
6,241
26.42
35.97
31.15
27.46
35.98
0.94
.87
1.32
1.00
l.ll
* National Safety News, March, 1923, p. 15; August 1923, p. 39; November, 1923, p. 40; and February.
1920, p. 20.
WOODWORKING
The rates in Table 116 are too irregular to justify any conclusions
regarding accident trend in the woodworking industry. It is evident
that the hazards of woodworking plants are quite serious. Study
elsewhere indicates that saws of various types are an.important
factor and that the condition of the saw itself is often responsible for
the occurrence of accidents.
T a b l e 116.—NUM BER OF FULL-YEAR WORKERS, NUM BER OF ACCIDENTS, AND ACCI
DENT FREQUENCY AND SEVERITY RATES IN WOODWORKING, 1920 TO 1924,* BY
YEARS
Year
Hours of
exposure
(thousands)
Full-year
workers
Number of
accidents
14,367
52,122
88.769
58,822
56,228
4,789
17,374
29,590
19,607
18,743
616
2,851
5,657
2,486
2,787
1920............................................................
1921............................................................
1922............................................................
1923.............................................................
1924.............................................................
* National Safety News, June, 1925, p. 42.
Frequency Severity
rates (per rates (per
1,000,000
hours'
hours' ex 1,000
exposure)
posure)
42.09
54.70
63.72
42.26
49.56
4.38
1.47
2.70
3.36
3.08
MISCELLANEOUS INDUSTRIES
109
TEXTILES
The records of the textile section of the National Safety Council
have not been maintained long enough to warrant any very positive
conclusion beyond the confirmation of the . idea that the textile
industry is relatively of rather low hazard. When, however, accident
frequency in such mills is greater than that in some of the best steel
mills, it is obvious that there is opportunity for improvement. The
intrinsic hazard of the steel and iron concerns is obviously much
greater than that in textile establishments, and accident prevention
effort if undertaken with anything like the energy shown in the steel
mills should markedly influence the rates.
117.—NUM BER OF FULL-YEAR WORKERS, NUM BER OF ACCIDENTS, AND
ACCIDEN T FREQUENCY AND SEVERITY RATES IN TEXTILES, 1923 AND 1924
T able
Year
1923 *..........................................................
1924 >..........................................................
Hours of
exposure
(thousands)
Full-year
workers
46,343
53,196
15,448
17,732
* National Safety News, October, 1924.
Frequency Severity
Number of rates (per rates (per
1,000,000 1,000 hours*
accidents hours*
ex
exposed
posed
604
601
13.03
11.29
0.67
.89
* Idem August, 192/5, p. 39.
DEPARTMENTS OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
Table 118 shows the accident frequency rates in the various depart
ments of the Federal Government. This presentation is from a
tabulation prepared by the United States Employees' Compensation
Commission. It concerns only civilian employees.
It is rather surprising to find that for the civilian employees of
some departments the degree of hazard is comparable in some cases
with that encountered in the iron and steel industry as a whole,
and in other cases the rates are as high as those for the better plants
of the iron and steel industry.
It is also noticeable that with the exception of the Government
Printing Office and the Department of the Navy there is observable
during this five-year period no tendency to declining rates. On the
contrary, with the exceptions noted, the rates tend to rise.
The changes (increases except where otherwise noted) are as fol
lows: All services, from 13.13 to 15.37, or 17 per cent; Department
of Agriculture, from 13.85 to 26.21, or 89 per cent; Department of
Commerce, from 8.69 to 9.82, or 13 per cent; Government Printing
Office, from 8.27 to 2.71, or 67 per cent (decrease); Department of
the Interior, from 19.68 to 31.39, or 60 per cent; Department of
Labor, from 11.99 to 12.40, or 3 per cent; Department of the Navy
from 19.48 to 15.74, or 19 per cent (decrease); Post Office Depart
ment, from 7.50 to 9.91, or 32 per cent; Department of the Treasury,
from 6.91 to 8.05, or 17 per cent; Department of War, from 46.68
to 60.64, or 30 per cent; other services, from 6.95 to 14.94, or 115
per cent.
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS IN UNITED STATES
110
T a b lf.
118.— N U M BE R OF ACCIDENTS A N D ACCIDEN T FREQUENCY RATES IN TH E
GOVERN M EN T SERVICE, 1921 TO 1925, B Y DEPA RTM E N TS AND YEARS
[Biased on number o f employees shown by the Civil Service Commission’s yearly reports and on num
ber of accidents reported to the United States Employees' Compensation Commission]
Frequency rates (per 1,000,000
hours’ exposure)
Number of accidents
Year
Number of
employees
Fatal
i
1
Fatal Nonfatal 1
accidents accidents j Total
Total
Nonfatal
AU Government Services
Total....................
560,073
535,185
535,781
546,981
538,290
362
353
279
278
314
18,042
17,905
17,713
20,260
20,374
2,716,910
1,586
94,294
!
j
!
;
18,404
18,258
17,992
20,538
20,688
0.25
.26
.20
.20
.23
12.88
13.38
13.22
14.82
15.14
13. n
13.64
13*43
15.02
15.37
95,880
.23
13.88
14.11
Department of Agriculture
1823................................
18,722
19,773
20,078
20,385
20,008
10
11
17
25
art
638
919
971
1,287
1,291
:
j
:
i
|
648
930
988
1,312
1,317
0.22
.22
.34
.49
.52
13.63
18.59
19.34
25.25
25.69
13. Wi
l& tt
19.6*
25.74
26.24
Total....................
99,056
89
5,106 |
5,195
.36
20.62
20.98
Department of Commerce
T922................................
1923................................
1924................................
1925................................
11,748
11,267
11,199
12,119
14,631
9
IS
11
8
11
246
272
332
319
348
255
287
343
327
359
0l31
.53
.40
.26
.30
8.38
9.66
11.86
10.52
9.52
8.69
10.19
12.26
10.79
9.82
Total....................
60,964
54
1,517
1,571
.35
9.95
10.31
Government Printing Office
1921................................
W22.................................
H>23.....................
1984.....................
1925................................
4,103
4,024
3,989
4,269
3,984
2
1
89
63
42
44
27
91
64
42
44
27
0.18
.10
8.09
& 26
4.21
4.13
2.71
8.27
6.36
4.21
4.13
2.71
Total....................
201669
3
265 i
1
268
.06
5.12
5.1*
Department of the Interior
1621.................................
1922.................................
1923................................
1924................................
m
.....................
Total....................
19,735 !
17,834 1
17,002
16,679 !
13,125
84,465
18
16
19
11
957
1,041
1,416
1,676
1,019
971
1,059
1,431
1,695
1,030
0.29
.41
.37
.46
.34
ia39
23.35
33.12
40.20
31.06
19.68
23.75
33.49
40.64
31.39
78
6,108
6,186
.37
28.93
29.29
11.99
10.99
11.72
11.56
12.40
11.71
14
Department of Labor
1921................................
1922................................
1923 ..........................
1924................................
192.’>................................
Total....................
3,768
3,744
3,821
3,876
3,614 j
18,823
1
2
!
i j
5j
112
100
112
111
107
113
102
112
112
112
OlU
.22
.11
.55
11.89
10.68
11.72
11.46
11.84
9 j
542
551
.19
11.52
DEPARTMENTS OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
111
T a b l e 1 1 8 *— N U M BER OF ACCIDEN TS A N D ACCIDEN T FREQUENCY RATES IN THE
GOVERN M EN T SERVICE, 1921 TO 1925, BY D E PARTM EN TS AND YEARS—Continued
Frequency rales (per 1,000,000
hours' exposure)
Number of accidents
Year
Number of
employees
Nonfotal
Fatal
Total
Fatal Nonfotal
accidents accidents
Total
Department of the Navy
1921.................................
1922.................................
1923-------------------------1924.................................
1925.................................
60,653
42,515
40^557
42,686
42,342
36
27
30
28
24
2,918
1,516
1,423
1,®2
1,662
2,954
1,543
1*453
1,910
1,686
0.24
.25
.30
.26
.23
19.25
14.27
14.01
17.64
15.52
19.48
14.52
14.33
17.90
15.74
Total....................
229,253
145
9,401
9,546
.25
16.40
16.66
PoMt Office Department
1921................................
1922.................................
1923................................
1924.....................
1923.................................
281,658
284,207
294,226
301,000
304,092
62
64
50
42
47
5,218
6^ 196
6,559
7,395
7,488
5,280
6,260
6,609
.7,437
7,535
0.08
.10
.07
*06
.06
7.42
8k72
8.92
9.83
&85
7.50
8.81
8.99
&*9
9.91
Total....................
1,465,183
265
32,8o6
33,121
.07
8.96
9.04
Department of the Treasury
1921................................
1922................................
1923................................
1924................................
1925................................
68,648
56,392
53,604
53,121
52,607
30
44
17
16
22
1,157
1,203
938
1,013
1,087
1,187
1,247
955
1,029
1,059
a 18
.31
.13
.12
.17
6.74
8.53
7.00
7.63
7.88
6.91
8.84
7.13
7.75
&05
Total....................
284,372
129
5,348
5,477
.18
7.52
7.70
Department o f War
1921................................
1922.................................
1923................................
1924................................
1925................................
53,553
46,840
44,842
45,906
38,975
124
104
96
102
115
6,125
5,648
4,913
5,295
5,79a
6,249
5,752
5,009
5,397
5,908
0.92
.89
.85
.89
1.18
45.74
48.23
43.82
46.14
59.45
46.68
49.12
44.68
47.03
60.64
Total....................
230,116
541
27,774
28,315
.94
48.28
49.22
All other Government Services
1921................................
1922.................................
1923...............................
1924................................
1925................................
37,785
48,589
46,373
46,940
44,322
74
67
42
37
53
582
947
1,006
1,238
1,602
656
1,014
1,050
1,275
1,655
0.78
.55
.36
.31
.48
6.16
7.80
8.70
10.55
14.46
6.95
8.34
9.06
10.86
14.94
Total....................
224,009
273
5,377
5,650
.« l
9.60
10109
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS IN UNITED STATES
112
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENT EXPERIENCE OF AMERICAN
INDUSTRY IN 1925
The National Safety Council in a report on industrial accident
experience for 192510 has, for the first time, attempted to compute
accident rates for American industry as a whole. The computations
are based on the statistical tabulations compiled by the industrial
sections of the council, with the exception of the cement and the min
ing industries for which statistics furnished by the Portland Cement
Association and the United States Bureau of Mines, respectively,
have been used.
The reports, which cover 1,231 establishments or locations, show
an average frequency rate of 30.60 per million hours worked and an
average severity rate amounting to 2.02 days lost per thousand hours
worked. Since the majority of the companies for which data were
secured are more or less actively engaged in accident prevention, it
can be assumed, however, that the rates for the United States as a
whole are somewhat higher. It is impossible to make a fair com
parison between the various industrial groups, because of varying
occupational risks, but it is of interest to note that in the textile
section 35,251 employees worked 77,924,601 hours with only one
accidental death.
The detailed record sheets of the council show that accident
frequency and severity rates have been reduced through the organized
safety work in different industries. This reduction is considered to
be due to a considerable extent to the fact that employees have been
impressed with the importance of reporting minor injuries promptly,
the installation of adequate first-aid facilities, and the cooperation of
industrial physicians. The report stresses the importance of a uni
form method of keeping plant records and also of making yearly
reports in order that the statistics may more accurately represent the
accident experience of each industry.
The following table shows the accident experience of companies in
13 principal industries throughout the country for the year 1925:
T a b l e 1 1 9 . — INDUSTRIAL A C CIDEN T EXPERIEN CE IN A M ER IC A N INDUSTRY
IN 1925 •
Industry
Automotive.............. .
Cement.....................
Chemical....................
Construction............ .
Metals.......................
Mining...................... .
Packers and tanners.
Paper and pulp........
^aairy.
Rubber..
Textile............
Woodworking.
T ota l....
Nuin- i
berof I Total
eslab- j number
lish- |
merits of em
orlo- | ployees
cations j
196
120
65
36
280
210
17
99
18
36
22
32
100
304,639
<»)
50,128
12,777
250,511
(*)
14,642
41,813
(>)
5,598
85,730
35,251
26,939
Number of cases of—
Total hours
worked
762,565,341
97,414,794
124,148,274
25,462; 441
661,189,970
68,518,787
35,485,110
104,623,437
214,054,563
15*322,643
173,438,000
77,924,601
69,836,087
2,429,984,048
Death
22
61
38
24
86
68
1
21
49
13
10
1
11
405
Perma Tem
nent porary
disa
disa
bility bility
560 17,279
17,861
2,541
77 2,403
2,473
2,597
86
18
1,778
1,736
545 18,915 c 21,492
6,851
62 6,721
41
1,383
1,425
57 3,943
4,021
5,855
206 5,600
708
744
23
5,054
70 4,974
1,029
1,061
31
128 2,948
3,087
1,904 70,112 *74,367
* See page 96 for similar table derived from State data.
* Not available.
^
^
.
« This total is reported to be correct; figures for details were not given in every case.
* Not including 3 industries.
h National Safely News, Chicago, October, 1926.
Total
113
MISCELLANEOUS INDUSTBIES
T abl» 119.—IN DU STRIA L A C C ID E N T E XP E R IE N C E IN A M ER IC A N INDUSTRY
IN 1925—Continued
Number of days lost on account of—
Industry
Death
Automotive........................................
Cement...............................................
Chemical............................................
Construction......................................
Metals................................................
Mining...............................................
Packers and tanners..........................
Paper and pulp..................................
Petroleum........................................._
Quarry...............................................
Rubber...............................................
Textile................................................
Woodworking....................................
Total.........................................
132,000
366,000
228,000
144,000
516,000
408,000
6,000
126,000
294,000
78,000
60,000
6,000
66,000
2,430,000
Perma
nent disa
bility
Tempo
rary disa
bility
Total
245,262
(>)
70,632
20,491
398,773
72,675
23,139
39,862
112,401
27,317
63,700
16,420
67,374
405,730
«810,610
487,189
(*)
38,379
337,011
28,210
192,701
269,738 • 1,202,387
102,193
582,868
15,796
44,935
59,166
225,028
91,957
498,358
11,775
117,092
68,498
192,198
12,778
35,198
58,901
192,275
23.42
26.08
2a 91
69.54
32.50
99.99
40.15
38.43
27.35
48.56
29.15
13.61
44.20
.45
2.75
1,158,046
1,163,121 •4,917,850
3tt 60
2.02
> Not available.
• This total is reported to be correct; figures for details were not given in every case.
Fre
quency Severity
rates
rates
(per
(per
1,000
1,000,000 hours'
hours'
expo
expo
sure)
sure)
1.06
5.00
2.71
7.57
1.82
8.51
1.27
2.15
2.33
7.64
1.11
@FedFRASER