Document k9EYwKaqee3Gv5oKYj0ya15xn

DATABASE:EAP *** Reference number- 441 :N0 350405.001 :TL Ammended Report of Chief Inspector of Factories * incidence of fibrosis; use of materials at factories; provisions in factories shop act; steps which should be undertaken. :SO AUTHOR Bradshaw, A OCCUPATION Chief Inspector of Factories ORGANISATION Dept of Labour PLACE Perth WA REFERENCE :TY app-letter :LO ROBINSON COX 1WAB1 P :CA CASE Watson v State of Western Australia DD NO. PD NO. EX NO. 24 (part :CI ORG NAME ? OCCUP 7 ORG 7 PLACE 7 : AD Watson Case :TT GOVERNMENT OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA DEPARTMENT OF LABOUR Office of Chief Inspector of Factories 56 James Street PERTH W.A. 5th April, 1935 In a table indicating the incidence of Fibrosis relative to Length of Employment, it is shown that examination of 363 persons employed in the industry for varying periods up to 20 years and over, 95, or 26.2 percent had developed fibrosis of the lungs. Of those who had been employed for periods ranging from 5 to 9 years - 25.5 percent were affected 10 to 14 years 32.1 percent 15 to 19 years 53.6 percent and 20 years and over 80.9 percent So far as I aa aware we have only one factory in this State, that of James Hardie and Co. Ltd., Rivervale, in which any of the processes which were subject to the investigations are carried on. In this factory 62 men are employed and comparatively on a few have been employed for a lengthy period in what might be regarded as the dangerous process. I attach hereto for your information a copy of a report recently submitted by Mr. Inspector Mooney of this Department on the factory referring to and from which it will be noted that two employees, viz C.W. Wood of South Perth, who has been employed for 6 years, and G. Evans of Bayswater, employed for 10 years, appear to the Inspector to be suffering in a marked degree from the effects of asbestos dust. C 2 o'3 7 There is no provision in the Factories Shops Act under which persons employed in unhealthy industries can be required to submit to medical examination. It is thought, however, that the two workers referred to would, if requested, be willing to undergo such an examination if it could be arranged. I shall be glad if you will advise whether, in the interest of the men concerned and of the workers in the industry generally, if you would arrange for the two men referred to to be medically examined if the are agreeable? It may be possible if the disclosures warrant it, to arrange for these workers to be transferred to some less dangerous of the processes carried on in the factory. This Department is already taking action to secure the installation in the factory of effective means for the collection and disposal of dust generated in the factory. *** Handwriting (signature) CHIEF INSPECTOR OF FACTORIES. :#*