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32
Temperature and ventilation.—Through informal action, a considerable
amount of extra heating capacity has been provided
where required. Female staff tend to find the legal limits of
temperature low ; it happens that generally offices are heated to
well above this limit, but shops, and offices within shops, still
need improvement and it is necessary to keep a close watch on
certain premises. It is unfortunate that so many break-ins occur
in business premises (in some cases shops in the Borough have
been burgled three times in one year), because premises with perfectly
satisfactory ventilation arrangements immediately become
unsuitable through window openings, etc., being sealed after
burglaries.
It would be an advantage if the advice of ventilation specialists
were sought by occupiers so that expenditure incurred is put to
the best economical advantage.
Lighting.—Improvements are constantly being made, but many
premises still have parts where the lighting could be improved.
Sanitary conveniences and washing facilities.—During the year,
running hot water has been installed in many premises but a close
watch needs to be kept to ensure that the apparatus is maintained
in working order. In new premises the legal minimum standards
are normally exceeded to quite an appreciable extent.
Floors, passages and stairs.—Constant inspection is needed to ensure
that potential sources of danger are eliminated.
Dangerous machinery.—There is still much reluctance on the part
of both managements and workers to make the duty of guarding
all dangerous machinery an absolute priority. Employees often
remove guards from machines without realising that they are
exposing themselves to risk. It is regretted that meat cutting band
saws are in use at all.
Accidents.—A very large proportion of the accidents reported
come from the big multiple firms who have the best methods of
staff training. Consequently, one is led to assume that there must
be many accidents in smaller firms which are not reported. Where
possible, inspectors raise the question of safety during their visits
but in addition to personal contact, publicity at national level
might persuade the more complacent firms to show greater concern
for the safety of their staff.
The following table shows the classification and number of
premises registered at the end of 1969, the number of persons
employed and the number of inspections and other visits made
during the year : —