Vintage work crew photos

[IntheGroove]

That is one sweet motorcycle...

[Nick79]

That looks like a sweet little motor bike - make, model??

[olderdan]

That looks like a sweet little motor bike - make, model??

I am pretty sure it is an MV Pulman (1953-1956) or super Pulman (1955-1958), and is a 125cc mostly used for daily commuting.

[bruce.desertrat]

Yes, it's an MV Pullman: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MV_Agusta_125_Pullman

[Jon]

Ice cutting machine. Chebacco Lake, Massachusetts. 1920.

Fullsize image: https://diqn32j8nouaz.cloudfront.net...s_fullsize.jpg

[Jon]

Boy working at double circular saws. N.Y. Dimension Supply Co. Location: Evansville, Indiana. October, 1908.

Found this one at the Library of Congress archives, which has an excellent Child laborers collection.

Fullsize image: https://diqn32j8nouaz.cloudfront.net...s_fullsize.jpg

[Toolmaker51]

As if the large overhead belt above the unguarded walkway an insufficient hazard. Yet I wonder, sans OSHA, what was the ratio of accidents to labor hours compared to now?

[bruce.desertrat]

Quite high. There's limited data that far back, but as an example thisis for the Steel industry between 1910 and 1939:

Steel Industry fatality and Injury rates, 1910-1939

(Rates are per million manhours)

Period Fatality rate Injury Rate
1910-1913 0.40 44.1
1937-1939 0.13 11.7

Source: https://eh.net/encyclopedia/history-...1880-1970-2/#7

Much of the early records concern mining as it was (and remains) on of the deadliest workplaces:

https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm4822.pdf See in particular Figure 1: Allegeny County averaged 40+ deaths a month,

and Figure 4 showing the precipitous drop in mining-related deaths.

(note: these are deaths per 100,000 workers)

Also, it was a saw like that that killed Johnny Cash's brother when he was 12.

[hemmjo]

We have some a long way, and we needed to. However, I feel like we are going too far now. At some point, Trying to make things so "safe" that no one can get hurt, creates careless people.

Along the lines of the quote, “Hard times create strong men. Strong men create good times. Good times create weak men. And, weak men create hard times.”, by G. Michael Hopf.

The hard times, and dangerous work that were endured by the strong kids, men and women of years past created the the good times we have now. But those good times are rapidly creating a generation of people who do not appreciate the importance or value the determined work ethic of years ago.

[Hoosiersmoker]

And honestly, education is one of the most effective ways to promote safety. Information and education before the opportunity for injury promotes a safer workplace. Intuitive controls and guarding aren't there so the operator can snooze through, they're there for the "oops" moment that would otherwise result in much much worse outcome. So I cut my finger on a sharp guard but kept my hand? That's a tragedy turned into a good day.