View report page

29
FACTORIES
The number of factories in the Borough showed a slight increase during the year of one nonmechanical
and nine mechanical factories. Table I shows the additions and deletions which again have been
confined to small factories employing up to six workers.
The general improvement in the sanitary conditions of factories for which the local authority is
responsible (see 1949 annual report) has been maintained. The majority of the notices served have been for
minor defects and have been complied with in all cases without legal action.
Table II shows the number of factories inspected and the number of inspections, etc.
Underground Rooms Used as Factories
One underground room has ceased to be used as a factory during the year; there are now 15 underground
rooms used as factories, only two of which are not used in conjunction with premises above ground.
The local authority has special powers to deal with underground rooms used as bakehouses.
Basement Bakehouses
The local authority is responsible for the supervision of basement bakehouses under section 54 of the
Factories Act, 1937. A basement bakehouse is defined as a bakehouse any baking room of which is so
situated that the surface of the floor is more than three feet below the surface of the footway of the adjoining
street or of the ground adjoining or nearest to the room; a baking room is defined as any room used for
baking or for any process incidental thereto.
At the beginning of 1951 there were fourteen bakehouses in Willesden, but baking was discontinued
in four of them during the year. If they remain unused as bakehouses for a period exceeding twelve months
they will not be allowed to be used again for baking. The remaining ten basement bakehouses have been
regularly inspected and are maintained in a satisfactory condition.
Outworkers and Homeworkers
In February and August of each year, factory owners send lists to the local authority of the names
and addresses of all persons who work at home for them on certain jobs; all persons who have worked
for them during the previous six months are included.
Out of 351 outworkers premises inspected during the year, only two notices (for minor matters) were
served upon the occupiers.
The packing of sweets in a house where conditions were unsuitable was stopped; and the factory no
longer has outworkers in Willesden.