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225
[1910
The general condition of the workshops in this Borough appears to be good. Satisfactory
hygienic conditions in this branch of sanitary work must have an appreciable effect
in raising the standard of public health when it is considered that in this Borough alone
about 11,(XX) women are employed in registered factories and workshops. As the centre of
women's labour becomes transferred more and more from the home to the workshop, so this
work increases in importance.
There are a considerable number of basement workrooms on the register, but the
majority of these are well lighted and ventilated, although in a few cases the amount of
light is not satisfactory. If similar legislation to that governing underground dwellings
was enacted for underground workshops, many improvements in their condition could be
carried out. Two underground workrooms were found extremely unsatisfactory, but in both
cases the occupiers were persuaded to remove to rooms on a higher floor.
The exodus of many businesses from the main thoroughfares to what were formerly
the purely residential districts of the Borough, although probably somewhat detrimental to
the value of property in those districts, has been of great benefit to the workers, as many
of these houses contain large, lofty, well-lighted rooms, which make almost ideal workrooms
with most pleasant outlooks on quiet streets or green gardens.
The majority of the owners and occupiers of workshops appear to realise that a
standard of good sanitary conditions is required by legislation and enforced by the public
health authority and endeavour to comply, without compulsion, with the conditions which
are certainly not extravagant in their demands. Many of the nuisances found are caused
by the employees themselves. They are still extremely distrustful of an open window and
are very careless and destructive in their use of sanitary fittings. There appears to be a
considerable demand for capable women workers. The more intelligent girls are now
entering offices, where the shorter hours are more attractive. These girls were of the type
which rose to be forewomen and manageresses and their loss is felt in the dressmaking and
millinery workrooms. It is hoped that this demand will lead to increased wages being
paid to skilled employees in these and similar trades. The number of workshops has decreased
during the year. The number of workshops closed is not much greater than in the
previous year, but there has been a large decrease in new workshops. This was probably
due in some degree to the severe depression suffered by many trades during the summer
and autumn seasons following the death of the late King.
Workplaces.—Thirty work-places were inspected during the year. These were all
receiving offices for laundries. The number employed in each place is usually limited to
one or two, although one receiving offices gives employment to eleven girls, and five rooms
are in use for sorting and packing. Arrangements for sanitary accommodation have been
made in connection with all these workplaces, but several of them were unprovided with
any satisfactory means of heating. Letters were sent to two firms drawing their attention
to these conditions.
Cleanliness.—During the year 84 workshops were found to be in a dirty condition and
83 premises were cleansed, upon instruction, during that time. Many of the workrooms are
lime-washed each year, and in some trades (e.g., laundry work), it is necessary, but the time
elapsing between this cleansing in most workrooms is three years. In fact there is a
popular fallacy current among employers that the law demands a triennial papering, painting
or limewashing. No period is specified in legislation regarding workshops (other than
bakehouses), but as three years usually meets the requirement, this fallacy may as well
remain in circulation.
R