During the year the average number of hours worked per week by employees in atomic energy was 40.9; in products of petroleum and coal, 41.0; and in industrial inorganic chemicals, 40.8.

There was an overall reduction of 21 percent in the number of injuries per million man-hours to the end of October 1955 from the 1954 experience for the same 10 months.

The severity of injuries (measured by duration of work time lost) also decreased from 580 days lost to 365 days lost per million manhours worked. This reduction in severity rate reflects the fact that fewer fatal accidents occurred than in the same period of 1954. Dollar losses from fires and explosions continue at a low rate, despite the occurrence of a serious explosion at the Y-12 plant at Oak Ridge, Tenn., on June 17, 1955.

During the period from July 1 to October 31, 1955, 13 Awards of Merit and 4 Awards of Honor were presented to contractors with outstanding safety experience.

Twenty-seven serious incidents were reported during the same 4months' period, involving personal injuries, fires, property damage, motor vehicle accidents and unscheduled interruptions of operations. More complete reporting since February 1955 reveals that spills of radioactive material occur more frequently and at greater cost than previously indicated.

There has been an increase in the development of promotional materials in accident and fire prevention, and an increasing demand from private industrial and insurance interests to obtain technical data on accident and fire prevention.

A classified "Summary of Accidents and Incidents Involving Radiation in Atomic Energy Activities From June 1945 through December 1954" was prepared for use in evaluating the experience in hazards peculiar to atomic energy operations. An unclassified version is being edited for use in the civilian application program.

APPENDIX 1

ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPAL STAFF of U. S. ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION

Director, Division of Inspection------ CURTIS A. NELSON.
Director, Division of Intelligence C. H. REICHARDT.
Director, Division of International

Director, Division of Research------- T. H. JOHNSON.
Director, Division of Security------- JOHN A. WATERS, Jr.

MANAGERS OF OPERATIONS OFFICES AND

AREAS:

Chicago (Ill.) Operations Office. J. J. FLAHERTY.

1 ALLAN E. JONES has been designated Manager, Grand Junction Operations Office, effective February 1, 1956.