The injury experiences of the major coal-producing States are listed in Tables 2 and 3 for the years we are comparing.

Reversing the bleak image of our industry offers many challenges, to say the least, that will require considerable effort on the part of every affected individual. Mine safety committees must assume a large portion of the responsibility in the search for solutions.

SECTION III

ASSISTING IN THE SEARCH FOR SOLUTIONS

How do you as a member of a mine safety committee fulfill the various obligations conveyed by the present contractual arrangement. In general, what are your responsibilities with respect to the prevention of accidents, the sole objective of your group? Let us consider the following items and any others you may care to add:

1. Responsibility for the well being of all mining personnel. With this responsibility, there is authorization, both specific and implied, to take any reasonable action required to prevent accidents.

2.

Assist, whenever possible, in employee safety orientation and job instruction. This particular duty implies that each member of the mine safety committee will be familiar with mine and section safety rules and regulations, safe job procedures, major work hazards, and policies and procedures advocated by management. In addition to being familiar with management safety rules and regulations, the mine safety committee should have a working knowledge of the following basic mining subjects: Mine gases, principally methane and its detection; section and mine ventilation practices, including emergency escapeways; roof-control standards and the roof-bolting permits; safe haulage practices; equipment and machinery and the attendant hazards, and safe uses and practices of electricity. In short, members of the mine safety committee should be experienced, well-qualified mining personnel.

3. Employee safety attitude. The mine safety committee is responsible, in part, for the development of a positive safety attitude in the workers.

4. Investigation of accidents and submission of necessary reports with appropriate recommendations on matters of safety for improvement.

5. Analysis of injury statistics. An analysis of current injury statistics may help to prevent additional incidents caused by either poor work habits or hazards that can be eliminated.

SOME CONCLUSIONS CONCERNING INDUSTRIAL SAFETY

Since the beginning of the safety movement, certain facts have become apparent during this period that are worthy of our discussion. The facts of progress are as follows:

1. Accidents can be prevented. The decreasing frequency rates of safety-minded companies prove that accidents can be prevented.

2.

Safety improvement has no limit. Some persons argue that there is an "irreducible minimum" frequency rate beyond which improvement is impossible, but the facts of progress disapprove this theory. Frequency rates, at times, appear to level off, but the only conclusion that can be drawn is that there is no limit to improvement.

3. Improvements in safety records are becoming smaller each year. Frequency rate trends over the years indicate that improvements per year are becoming smaller because the worst hazards of previous generations have been eliminated, and the area for improvement is now limited to the individual workman, which requires that greater imagination be used than before to develop cooperative attitudes and safety mindedness.

4. Accident prevention is good ethics and permanently profitable.

5. Expenditures for good results are relatively small.

6. Techniques for reducing accidents are not difficult.
7. Accidents are caused.

1.

MINE SAFETY COMMITTEEMEN CAN PUT SAFETY TO WORK

Take the initiative in telling management about ideas for safer layouts of equipment, tools, and processes.

2. Take pride in knowing how to use equipment and material safely.

3. Always alert for operations that are not routine to make certain that safety precautions are determined and observed.

4. Continue to "talk safety" and impress safety on your associates.

5. Work with employees without favoritism and help them work together.

6. Set the example in safety.

SUMMARY

Injuries are caused by accidents. Accidents do not just happen-they are caused, caused by people. Behind almost every accident, human failure can be found to be a contributing factor. Following this same line, good safety records do not just happen--they are caused, caused by people. Behind every good safety record, a sound safety program will be found, being administered by sincere, conscientious management, aided by cooperative employees.

Workers do not mean to have accidents, but the fact remains that accidents are happening every day. They may vary in circumstances and detail, but more than 95 percent are caused by conditions or equipment failure--factors that are 100 percent controllable by people. As a safety committeeman, your job is to maintain a constant positive safety attitude within your people so they will have these human factors under control at all times. Do this and accidents will be substantially reduced, resulting in a subsequent reduction in personal injuries.

How can you assist a good safety program? First, you must realize that your attitude toward safety is reflected by your people. If your people treat safety like a stepchild, they may have gotten this outlook from their safety representative. The most important single aspect of a sound safety program is for foremen and safety committeemen to set. good examples --using not just words, but by backing up their words with actions--by practicing what they preach. Insist that your associates use safety equipment appropriate to the job--safety glasses, rubber gloves, work gloves, and proper footwear; this equipment compensates for human mistakes. On your inspections make sure the tools and equipment are properly maintained and guards are in place. Stress good housekeeping.

Participate in safety meetings; this helps to show your concern for proper safety attitudes. There should be no place in your organization for people who cannot or will not work safely. Have regular safety discussions with your people.

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As indicated in a previous section, your main concern is the development of a favorable attitude in your associates and a willingness to respond in the interests of greater safety. We make no attempt to predict that an ideal attitude can be developed with the same intensity in all employees, but you must still attempt to reach all workers under your guidance. What features do you consider as indicating a man has a favorable attitude toward safety? Let us consider the following:

11. Carries safety ideas into his personal life, such as considering safety features in the purchase of a new car and household equipment, in addition to training his family in good safety habits.

Even though you are concerned with the development of a positive safety attitude within your people, there are certain clues for the negative side that should concern you. They are: