~4 WESTERN CANADIAN LUMBER WORKER BCFP Crew Win Trophy Highlights Of WCB's 1959 Annual Report Annual Report of the Workmen’s Compensation Board shows 262 workmen were killed and 75,982 workmen were injured in British Columbia in 1959. The fatalities were up slightly over the past ten-year average. Inspection Accelerated The work of the WCB Inspec- There were 934 more injuries dur-| tion Force accelerated — 12,226 ing 1959, than in 1958. The following in capsule form are the highlights of the report: Industrial Diseases Workmien filed 1,466 claims for industrial diseases, ranging from Dermatitis to infected blisters. Compensation Awards Compensation awards to injured workmen amounted to $19,591,797, with $8 million paid for time loss, $714 million for pensions and $4 million for medical aid. The money to pay compensation to industrial accident victims is collected en- tirely from employers. They are assessed by the WCB on the basis of accident costs in each industry. Pension Fund The WCB pension fund now stands at $83 million — a firm guarantee that there will be money available to pay the 14,000 disabled workmen, widows and children now in receipt of compensation pensions, most of which are paid on a life basis. Employers Covered The number of employers now covered under the Act reached a new high at the end of 1959. 31,085 were registered with the WCB— up 1,887 over 1958. Total payrolls on which assessments were levied rose to $1,497,000,000 — a record high. inspections were made — up 35% over two years ago. 12,240 acci- dent prevention orders were issued by the WCB to correct unsafe conditions found in industry. Remedial Wing ARM (excluding hand and fingers) HAND AND FINGERS LOWER EXTREMITY lexcluding foot and toes! FEET AND TOES MULTIPLE AND MISCELLANEOUS WCB Centre were increased dur- ing the year by the construction of a $200,000 remedial activity wing which went into operation June 1. The new wing allows group exercise therapy on a large scale. 2,936 injured workmen re ceived physiotherapy and occupa- tional therapy at the Rehabilita- tion Centre. The average daily attendance was 430 patients. 2,000,000th Injury During the year the 2,000,000th work injury report since 1917 when the Act came into force was received by the WCB. Amend- ments to the Act during the 1959 session of the Provincial Legisla- ture provided for the highest com- pensation benefits paid in Canada. $500,000,000 Spent Since 1917, the WCB, through its three primary functions compensating, healing and pre- venting — has expended nearly half a billion dollars in aid to B.C. industrial accident victims and their dependents. “Glad to see you take an interest in our safety posters, Rembrandt.” John T. Atkinson IWA Regional Safety Direc- tor, John T. Atkinson was one of the guest speakers at the Annual Englewood Safety Conference, May 7, at Engle- wood. The Conference, made up of mainly rank and file safety committee members in all log- ging operations in the Northern section of Vancouver Island, had a very small beginning but now is having a tremend- ous impact on accident preven- tion in the area, John T. also addressed meetings at Camp “A”, Engle- wood, May 6, and at Vernon Lake, Englewood, May 8. Time Out When a certain Southerner announced that he was “a favorite son” one of his enemies roared: “That’s the greatest unfinished sentence in the history of the Southland!” « s os The Midget League game had been hard fought, and the villain of the evening in the eyes of the losing team was a base umpire. Several of his close decisions had raised protests. After the game, one little fellow on the losing team spying the umpire in the crowd, went up to him. “It was really a good game, Mr. Umpire,” the pint-sized player said politely. ‘I’m sure sorry you didn’t get to see it.” bd 2 * In the PX, a shiny new second lieutenant was standing in front of a cigarette machine, going through his pockets looking for the right change. Just then a young noncom walked by. “Say, airman,’ asked the lieutenant, “do you have change for a half? “Yeah I believe so,” said the airman, reaching for his pocket. “Airman, is that the way you address an officer?” barked the lieutenant. ‘Now let’s try that again, Do you have change for a half?” “No, reply. sir,’ was the snappy * * * The wealthy old man lay dying. By his bedside was his son, tears streaming down his cheeks. The old man patted his son’s hand reassuredly. “Don’t carry on and grieve so, my boy,” he said. “I want you to know that my will leaves you everything my country place, the cars, the yacht, and all my money. You get every- thing I own.” “Thanks dad. You've always been so good to me. Oh, if there was only something I could do for you to make you a little happier or more comfortable!” The old man boosted himself up on his elbow as the son bent close to be sure he didn’t miss a word. “There is one thing you can do for me, son,” gasped the old man. “Take your foot off the oxygen hose!” 5 For Fourth Time The Anita and George Reith Trophy for 1959 has been won by British Columbia Forest Products Limited and is awarded annually to the com- pany whose Lake Cowichan area operations have achieved the best safety record. The performance of all opera- tions of each company, including sawmill, shingle mill, veneer plant and logging, are combined to de- termine the winner each year. Awarded 6 Times In the six years that the trophy has been awarded it has been won once each by Western Forest In- dustries Limited and Hillcrest Lumber Company Limited and four times by British Columbia Forest Products Limited. The trophy was originally do- nated by Colonel J. H. Boyd in 1954, who, after 29 years of close association with community affairs and industry in the area, created the award to promote the cause of safety. Colonel Boyd named the award after his daughter and son-in-law who now live in Van- couver. Competition Keen The award has developed a keen sense of competition amongst the three companies, and the safety committees at each mill and camp strive to keep their fre- quency rate of 25.80. This year the winner, British Columbia Forest Products Limited, had a combined frequency of 11.12. The trophy was presented by Colonel Boyd to Mr. C. D. Dickey, Jr., President of British Columbia Forest Products Limited, at a banquet held in the Youbou Com- munity Hall on April 22nd. Offi- cers and safety committee mem- bers from all mills and camps in the area were present, as well as representatives of the British Columbia Lumber Manufacturers Association, the International Woodworkers of America and the Workmen’s Compensation Board. Satety Briefs Good News From Toy Makers Mothers who are plagued with trying to keep doll’s eyes out of baby’s mouth can rejoice. Toy manufacturers are begin- ning to see the problem. The Toy Manufacturers of the U.S.A., Inc. (trade association) recently condemned the “unsafe prac- tice of affixing eyes, noses, ears, spectacles and the like to dolls and stuffed toys in such a manner that they are easily detachable.” The association particularly attacked the use of sharp prongs, pins, wires and staples to attach features. The association urged its members to discontinue using easily de- tachable features which might harm children. People In.Glass Houses Kids who live in houses with glass walls have.a problem reports a pediatrician from Miami, Fla. Many such walls slide open and shut, separating house from patio. A youngster comes racing through the house, doesn’t notice whether the wall is Open; often it isn’t and he takes a dive through glass. - The. doctor estimates there are three or four such accidents a month. He suggests that mothers decorate sliding glass walls with decals to alert children. —Reprinted Home Safety Review British Columbia Workmen Know That Personal Safety Depends Upon .. . SKILL in doing a job ABILITY to size up situations AWARENESS of unsafe conditions ATTITUDE to the job INTEREST in the common welfare WILLINGNESS fo co-operate Remember these six fundamentals — they're vital to your safety. WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION BOARD