View report page

Printers Factories and Workshops.—During the year Inspector Dee
made a special examination of the premises belonging to the printing
firms in the neighbourhood of Chancery Lane and the Strand. There
are 23 firms, and half of these employ large numbers of persons, two
of the largest employing about 600 each. The total number actually
at work at the time of the Inspector's visit was 3,236, but night work
and other extra work lead to the employment of an additional number.
The number of workrooms is 186. As these premises are factories
they are also under the supervision of the Home Office Inspectors; it
was therefore not expected that any very serious defects would be
discovered. In several factories, however, w.cs. were found opening
directly from workrooms without the provision of a ventilated lobby.
In a few cases the sanitary accommodation was not kept separate for
men and women workers. Some of the w.cs. and urinals were not well
looked after. No instances of overcrowding were observed. Complaint
was received of offensive smells proceeding from one building, and they
were found to be due to the type-melting pots.
Covent Garden Market.— Women Worlcers.—Arising out of a complaint,
Miss Carey (Sanitary Inspector) made an inquiry into the conditions
under which women are employed in pea-shelling and walnut-shelling.
Some of this is done in the open market when the weather permits, but
two or three firms were found using their basements in the market for
this purpose, which is contrary to the regulations, and besides they are
not suitable for the purpose. In one of these cellars 20 women were
found, and they stated they were occasionally employed from 3 a.m. to
5 p.m. In another basement where fruit sorting was being performed