London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Willesden 1907
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Willesden]
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FACTORY AND WORKSHOP ACT, 1901.
The following Tables give particulars as to the number and nature of the Factories and Workshops in the District, and the defects found in the course of inspections:-
| Total number of Factory Laundries | 49 |
| ,, ,, ,, Workshop „ | 100 |
| „ „ „ Domestic „ | 33 |
| 182 | |
| Total number of Laundries without defects | 137 |
| No. where defects were discovered | 45 |
| Total No. of revisits by Sanitary Inspectors | 207 |
| Total No. of rooms measured by Inspectors | 120 |
| No. of Laundries discontinued | 17 |
| No. newly started | 21 |
| Defects discovered by Lady Health Visitors and remedied under supervision of Sanitary Inspectors:- Cleansing of workrooms | 63 instances |
| Insufficient ventilation | 5 ,, |
| Insufficient water closet accommodation | 2 „ |
| Defective water closets | 26 „ |
| No separate closet accommodation for sexes | 2 ,, |
| Failure to affix abstract | 30 ,, |
| Minor sanitary defects | 55 „ |
SANITARY CONDITION OF WORKSHOPS WHERE
WOMEN ARE EMPLOYED.
INSPECTIONS UNDER THE FACTORY AND
WORKSHOP ACT.
Workshops.—The workshops where women and girls are employed
are inspected by the Lady Health Visitors, and during the
year 1907 were found to be as a rule in very fair condition. A
number of dressmakers had either removed to premises outside the
district, or given up work altogteher. Complaints of slackness of
trade were general.
In one instance proceedings were taken for overcrowding of a
dressmaker's workroom. Dressmakers frequently work up to their limit
with regard to air space although actual overcrowding is unusual.
The workrooms have often anything but adequate air space for the
comfort of the workers.