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(1) The supervision of the sanitary conditions of workshops and
workplaces generally. The principal conditions are those
relating to (a) cleanliness, (b) air space, (c) ventilation and
(d) drainage of floors.
(2) The enforcement of the provision of suitable and sufficient
sanitary accommodation.
(3) The enforcement of special sanitary regulations for
houses.
(4) The control of conditions under which certain classes of work
are done in the homes of the workers.
Domestic Factories and Domestic Workshops.—In some cases,
dwellings in which home work is done constitute a factory or workshop.
Such places are subject to the ordinary provisions of the Acts
with regard to factories and workshops. An important exception,
however, is made for dwellings in which no mechanical power is used,
and the only persons employed are members of the same family dwelling
there. These places (termed "Domestic Factories" and "Domestic
Workshops" are exempted from many of the provisions of the Act.
Workplaces.—These are neither factories nor Workshops, but are
places "where work is done permanently and where people assemble
together to do work permanently of some kind or other." Thus, a
stable or stableyard where men were employed as cab cleaners and
horse keepers has been held to be a workplace. The Secretary of State
has been advised that the kitchens of restaurants, &c., though they are
not workshops, come within the meaning of the term "workplace,''
which it will be seen is a fairly comprehensive one.