clutches; (d) means of quick communication with engine room, such as electric bells; and (e) special apparatus applicable to only a few machines.

This classification, while sufficiently accurate for the purpose of presenting briefly the information obtained, is necessarily somewhat rough. Thus, belt shifters not only offer a means for stopping machinery in case of accident, but, in themselves, prevent accidents by doing away with belt shifting by hand.

Also, it is to be especially noted that in some cases the provisions listed are mutually exclusive. Thus, if a machine is supplied with satisfactory and substantial mechanical safeguards, the posting of a warning notice may be superfluous. Again, if the power is supplied by means of individual motors, there may be no main shafting and thus no possibility of friction clutches or even, at times, of belt shifters. These conditions are allowed for in the table by giving in each case not only the number of establishments reported on, but also the number to which the specified provision applies. It follows, therefore, that an entry in the table showing the lack of a specified provision in certain factories indicates not only that such provision was lacking but that it was applicable and desirable.

An establishment is entered in the table as having or not having a specified provision according to the general practice of the whole establishment. Thus, if belt shifters are very generally provided where necessary, the establishment is credited with having such devices, although in a few cases belt shifters may be absent.1

A full statement of the conditions found in each establishment is given in Chapter XI, General Tables, of this volume.

MAINE.

The laws of Maine, at the time of this investigation, made no regulations concerning the safeguarding of machinery or mill gearing, with the single exception of steam boilers."

CONDITIONS FOUND.

Of the 26 establishments visited 23 had power-driven machinery of a sufficiently dangerous character to require safeguarding. The table following shows to what extent necessary safeguarding devices had been provided by these 23 establishments.

The presence of the column showing the number of establishments reported on is necessitated by the unsatisfactory character of some of the reports.

2 The law here referred to is as in force at the time of the investigation, January, 1909. The text of the laws in force Jan. 1, 1912, is given in the appendixes at the end of this volume.

49450°-S. Doc. 645, 61-2, vol 19- -19

ESTABLISHMENTS VISITED HAVING AND NOT HAVING SPECIFIED SAFETY DEVICES FOR GUARDING AGAINST ACCIDENT FROM MILL GEARING OR MACHINERYMAINE.

1 All operated by electric power, control devices being electric cut-offs or switches.
One by telephone; 1 by push button.

Two have hand brakes on machines; 1 has both hand and foot brakes.

MASSACHUSETTS.

SUMMARY OF LEGISLATION.1

As regards the subject of safeguarding mill gearing and machinery, there are two legal provisions of general application, and two which are limited to a single industry, the manufacture of textiles. The general provisions are these:

(A) The belting, shafting, gearing, and drums of all factories, if so placed as, in the opinion of the inspectors of factories and public buildings, to be dangerous to employees therein while engaged in their ordinary duties, shall be as far as practicable securely guarded.

Penalty. A fine of not more than $100.2

(B) In every manufacturing establishment in which the machinery is propelled by steam, communication shall be provided between each room in which such machinery is placed and the room in which the engineer is stationed by means of speaking tubes, electric bells, or appliances to control the motive power, or such other means as shall be satisfactory to the inspectors of factories and public buildings, if in the opinion of the inspectors such communication is necessary.

Penalty. A fine of not less than $25 nor more than $100.3 The two provisions applicable solely to the textile industry are these:

(C) The owner of a cotton factory which shall have been erected subsequent to the 28th day of May, in the year 1896, who permits the

1 The law here referred to is as in force at the time of the investigation, December, 1908, to February, 1909. The text of the laws in force Jan. 1, 1912, is given in the appendixes at the end of this volume.

2 Rev. Laws, 1902, ch. 104, sec. 41, as amended by ch. 503, Acts of 1907, and sec. 56 (22d An. Rept. Com. of Labor, pp. 588, 590).

Idem, sec. 38 (22d An. Rept. Com. of Labor, p. 588).

traversing carriage of a self-acting mule in such factory to travel within 12 inches of any pillar, column, pier, or fixed structure shall be punished by a fine of not less than $20 nor more than $50 for each offense.1

(D) It shall be the duty of all persons owning, managing, or operating factories in this Commonwealth, in which looms are employed, to equip the looms with such guards or other devices as will prevent injury to employees from shuttles falling or being thrown from the looms. Such guards or other devices shall be made of such material and placed in such manner as shall be approved by the inspection department of the district police.

*

Penalty. Fine of not more than $100 for each week violation continues.2

The legislation of Massachusetts upon the subject of machine guarding is thus seen to be brief and, except for the two requirements regarding textile factories only (C and D), rather indefinite. Under the first-quoted provision (A) the inspector may insist upon a considerable degree of care being used in guarding belting, shafting, and gearing, but it would not appear that his authority under the law would be sufficient to allow him to require friction clutches, loose pulleys, or other means of quickly cutting off the power by sections or by machines. Nor is he given specific power to condemn, by posting a notice, dangerous machines or dangerous places. Nor are employees forbidden to remove safeguards once provided.

The authority of the inspectors as regards the establishment of means of communication between workrooms and engine rooms in factories using steam power extends to the determination of the necessity of such communication as well as to the choice of means.

The enforcement of the legal provisions as quoted is entirely in the hands of the State factory inspection department (the district police).

CONDITIONS FOUND.

Of the 44 establishments visited, 40 had power-driven machinery of sufficiently dangerous character to require safeguarding. The following table shows to what extent necessary safeguarding devices had been provided by these 40 establishments.

1 Rev. Laws, 1902, ch. 104, sec. 42 (22d An. Rept. Com. of Labor, p. 589).

2 Acts of 1904, ch. 347, secs. 1, 2, and 3 (22d An. Rept. Com. of Labor, p. 615).

ESTABLISHMENTS VISITED HAVING AND NOT HAVING SPECIFIED SAFETY DEVICES FOR GUARDING AGAINST ACCIDENT FROM MILL GEARING OR MACHINERYMASSACHUSETTS.

1 In 10 establishments, electric power, method of control being electric cut-offs or switches; method of control not reported in 2 establishments.

In 3, by telephone; in 2, by bell pull; in 2, by press button; in 2, by electric bell; in 2, by both telephone and signal bell; in 1, by telephone and electric gong.

* In 1 establishment, automatic stops on machines; in 1, kind of apparatus not reported.

RHODE ISLAND.

SUMMARY OF LEGISLATION.1

In the matter of safeguarding mill gearing and machinery two provisions are made by law. They are as follows:2

(A) All belting and gearing shall be provided with proper safeguards.

*

(B) If the factory inspectors, or either one of them, find that * * the belting, shafting, gearing, elevators, drums, and machinery in shops and factories are located so as to be dangerous to employees, and not sufficiently guarded, or that the vats, pans, or structures filled with molten metal or hot liquid are not surrounded with proper safeguards for preventing accident or injury to those employed at or near them, either or both shall notify the proprietor of such factory or workshop to make the alterations or additions necessary within ninety days;

* *

Penalty.-A fine of not more than $500.

The authority of these provisions is sufficient to enable the inspectors to insist upon all power transmitters, machinery, and open vats being properly safeguarded against accident. The law does not specifically require belt shifters, friction clutches, or other appliances for stopping machines quickly, nor does it require the provision of quick means of communication between workrooms and engine rooms. There is, moreover, no prohibition against employees removing safeguards from machinery, and no requirement that warning 'The law here referred to is as in force at the time of the investigation, December, 1908, to February, 1909. The text of the laws in force Jan. 1, 1912, is given in the appendixes at the end of this volume.

2 Gen. Laws of 1896, ch. 68, secs. 6, 9, and 12, as amended by ch. 1215, enacted 1905 (22d An. Rept. Com. of Labor, pp. 1209, 1210).

notices shall be posted upon dangerous machines. And, finally, the inspector is not authorized to condemn a dangerous machine by forbidding its use until properly altered or safeguarded.

The first of these two quoted provisions (A), that requiring “all belting and gearing" to be equipped with proper safeguards, is apparently mandatory. But the second (B), which repeats and enlarges upon the first, is enforceable only as the inspectors may determine, and, as in any case no standards of proper safeguarding are erected or even suggested, the inspector's discretion is necessarily very complete.

The State factory inspection department is charged in full with the enforcement of all legislation, as above quoted, regarding protection against machine accidents.1

In an interview with an agent of the Bureau of Labor, the chief inspector stated that the factory inspection department had given the question of guarding machinery very careful consideration; that, at the department's suggestion, the manufacturers had made rules against the wearing of loose clothing by employees and rules forbidding women and girls to work with their hair hanging loose or in braids, and that, under the regulations of the department no machinery could be cleaned while in motion if the inspector considered it to be dangerous. The chief inspector believed as a result of this care the number of accidents in the State had been greatly reduced.

CONDITIONS FOUND.

Twenty-five of the 27 establishments visited had power-driven machinery of a sufficiently dangerous character to require safeguarding.

The following table shows to what extent necessary safeguarding devices had been provided by these 25 establishments:

ESTABLISHMENTS VISITED HAVING AND NOT HAVING SPECIFIED SAFETY DEVICES FOR GUARDING AGAINST ACCIDENT FROM MILL GEARING OR MACHINERYRHODE ISLAND.

1 Gen. Laws of 1896, ch. 68, sec. 3, as amended by ch. 1215, enacted 1905 (22d An. Rept. Com. of Labor,

p. 1208).

These 12 are all operated by electric power and the control devices are electric cut-offs or switches. 'One by telephone; 5 by electric bells or push buttons.