390 



BIOLOGY AND HUMAN LIFE 



beyond control, and complex processes, often using dangerous 

 materials, have gradually spread through industries without 

 anyone's being responsible for their regulation. Moving parts, 

 revolving or hurtling through the air rapidly, do considerable 

 damage when they come in contact with any part of the body. 

 Belts catch at a bit of clothing or a wisp of hair set fluttering by 



-1070- 



■ Freight brakemen- 



L 



555 



Passenger engineers 



D" 



Office workers 



Fig. 171. Fatal accidents in various railroad occupations 



In one year the proportion of fatal accidents among different classes of railway em- 

 ployees varied from ii per 100,000 to more than iioo (not shown in the diagram). 

 The dotted line represents the rate for the whole industry in 19 10, that is, 225 per 

 100,000. This means that in the railroad business some of the occupations are a 



hundred times as dangerous as others 



a gust of air ; slippery floors, unguarded openings, obstructions, 

 worn cables or bolts that give way, and dozens of other things 

 add to the dangers; and the noise and intensity of the work 

 make it almost impossible for the worker to be on his guard. 

 Most of these conditions are dangerous largely because of the 

 great speed imposed by the machinery, or by the driving foreman, 

 or by piece-work payment. This plan of pay is designed to make 

 people work faster, and does actually make them work faster, 

 but often with very bad results to their health and welfare. 



