Baguio Mines are stressing safety

Title

Language

English

Source

The Marsman Magazine Volume III (No. 10) April 1939

Year

1939

Rights

In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted

Fulltext

MAIL ORDER DESK AT SEARS ROEBUCK INAUGURATED RECENTLY R. W. Malcolm, who has been connected with the Sears Roebuck Company in the states for many years, has come to Manila as manager of the local office. Marsman Trading Corporation are the sole representatives for Sears in the Philippines. A new department has been formed at the Escolta office in Manila for the purpose· of accommodating people who wish to order from Sears Roebuck. A Mail Order Desk has been inaugurated to handle orders efficiently and rapidly. This Desk will display samples and catalogues. It will also take charge of forwarding to the states the orders and relieve the customer of the inconvenience of buying money orders. This system will act as valuable assistance to the buyer in making purchases on a mail order basis. BAGUIO MINES ARE STRESSING SAFETY The Mine Operators of the Baguio district, which include Itogon Mining Company and Suyoc Consolidated made great strides forward f c,r the progress of safety in the mines during the last year. Realizing the necessity of such a mea.sure, the companies in the Baguio District appropriated P30,000.00 for the construction of a completely modern safety station. This safety station is equipped with the latest underground fire fighting apparatus, gas masks, oxygen breather~inhalers, and air sampling equipment. Y The station is centrally located so th•t in case of emergency the mine safey,y equipment can be transported to the'istricken area in a short time. Labor conditions in the mines used to be considered a major problem, as the Filipino workmen are of small stature and chiefly farmers by origin. They have come to the mines from many different provinces, speaking a variety of dialects. Due to the high percentage of illiteracy among the men, it is necessary to give much closer supervision than would b€ found in mines in America. Working directly under American supervisors, keymen known as capatazes are selected to direct the work of a certain shift of men under THE MARSMAN MAGAZINE for April, 1939 them. Orders from the American supervisor, are in turn given to the workmen by the capataz. Realizing that every injured man slows down production, the safety council holds semi-monthly meetings, where the capatazes are given lectures and shown the use of safety equipment. These men are taught how to use first aid equipment, apply bandages, and to transport the injured man from the mine with a minimum of pain. At each mine a select group of capatazes are given a rigid and thorough physical examination. Their keen interest in this work, has lead to several competitive contests which are now being looked forward to as an annual event. Today the miners are 100 % equipped with safety hats, and as a result many serious accidents have been averted. Another great advancement in mine safety equipment during the past year has been the introduction of electric cap lamps. Reducing the fire hazard to a minimum, these lamps allow the worker two free hands to work with, and give a greater illuminating power. Safety work, like any other work, is stimulated by competition, and it is felt that the friendly spirit and cooperation of the Baguio Mine Operators will make this year a safer year than 1938. 13

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