Document dYVO9L5aQZ06bjV0L9d79E7gR

a Labor Conference were formally established to function within the framework of the Na tional Safety Council Labor has been represented at the various presidential and gubernatorial industrial safety conferences Some unions have independently done extensive safety work and have published printed matter and released films which are real contributions to safety It is the hope of the great majority of far- Research Statistical data on industrial accidents have been compiled by the National Safety Council for over forty years Analyses computed an nually and published in industry rate pam phlets and Accident Facts have proven of ut most importance in evaluating the leading causes of accidents Some industries through their trade associa tions have recorded accident rates for almost fifty years In most instances, even the divi sions of an industry can establish their posi tions with regard to number and types of accidents and can determine their experience in comparison with national averages There are a large number of standards relat ing to safety Continuing research has been necessary over the years to keep these stand ards in line with current industrial develop ment and the development of new products and materials Special research projects, such as those making studies of walkway surfaces and safety belts, can be and have been financed by pri vate sources and coordinated by the National Safety Council Since the Council is not an approval agency, results of these projects are given as a summary of findings with no at tempt to set minimum standards Safety and the law FlG 1-11 -- Modem posters produced by the National Safety Council combine eye-appeal and an easily understood message sighted safety professionals in both labor and management that every opportunity for co operation will be pressed to the fullest extent consistent with practical realities Further, management must seek the multi ple causes of accidents, not only the most obvious cause of disabling injuries Workers must believe that safe performance means proper and efficient performance--doing their jobs as best they can The early legal action in industrial safety took the form of laws to regulate and inves tigate The next phase was largely concerned with workmen's compensation payments The following years have seen a gradual growth in regulation of industry on safety mat ters by federal, state, and local governments The Walsh-Healey Act, which deals with companies having supply contracts with the federal government, is an example of such regulation In certain industries--notably mining and transportation -- federal government regula tion and inspection have been extensive In some states, state regulation has been strin gent Today industry accepts almost without ex ception the idea of financial responsibility for work injuries But court interpretations have broadened the workmen's compensation laws in most states so that the original purpose of the laws tends to be defeated 17