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13
Milk and Dairies (Table 49)
Milk sales are regulated by various Acts and Regulations (the Food and Drugs Act, 1955, the Milk
and Dairies Regulations, 1949-1954, the Milk (Special Designation) (Pasteurised and Sterilised Milk) Regulations,
1949-1953, and the Milk (Special Designation) (Raw Milk) Regulations, 1949-1954). As Willesden
is a specified area, all milk sold by retail has been sterilised, pasteurised, or tuberculin tested; the sale of
raw milk has been prohibited since October, 1951.
On 1st October, 1954, the provisions of paragraph 7 of the Second Schedule to the Milk (Special Designation)
(Pasteurised and Sterilised Milk) Regulations, 1949, came into force. This restricts the bottling of
milk to the three premises in the borough where the milk is pasteurised.
Frequent inspections are made of the dairies. During the year some minor defects were found but
were soon remedied.
FACTORIES
There was an increase in the total number of factories in the borough compared with the previous
year (Table 50).
The Council supervise sanitary conveniences in all factories, and in addition, cleanliness, overcrowding,
temperature, ventilation and drainage of floors in non-power factories. Details of inspections, defects
found and action taken, are given in Table 51.
Most notices were served for minor defects only and were complied with without legal action.
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 the process incidental thereto.
There are eight basement bakehouses in Willesden. They have been regularly inspected and are
satisfactory.
Outworkers and Homeworkers
In February and August of each year, factory owners send to the local authority lists of names
and addresses of all persons who work at home for them on certain jobs, together with those who have worked
for them during the previous six months.
Inspections of these workers' homes were made by the Public Health Inspectors and notices were
served in respect of any found to be unsatisfactory (Table 52).
NOISE NUISANCE
The Borough Council are empowered to deal with noise nuisances under section 313 of the Middlesex
County Council Act, 1944.
Eighteen complaints were received but only nine could be considered as statutory nuisances.
Five concerned noise from electric motors of various kinds. All the nuisances were abated after
consultations with the managements.
Complaints were also made about the noise of working machinery, etc., during the late evening hours
and night and on Sundays. These hours of work have become more common but managements have agreed
either to stop the late or Sunday work or they have made arrangements to reduce the noise.
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE
The Council introduced an occupational health service for their employees in April, 1954. Public
Health Inspectors visit offices and workplaces to supervise working conditions, particularly canteens, rest
rooms, cloakrooms and first aid equipment. Any defects found are brought to the notice of the chief officer
concerned.
First-aid boxes have been provided at selected sites, and their contents, including a first aid leaflet
(Form 923) issued by the Factory Department, are based on the requirements of the Factories Act. Chief
Officers nominated suitably qualified persons to be in charge of first aid. Notices with names and addresses
of the nearest medical practitioners and hospital are placed in a prominent position, so that in an emergency,
cases can be referred without delay.
Employees who have been regularly absent from work on account of sickness are referred by chief
officers to the Medical Officer of Health. Employees suffering from disability or chronic illness may apply
direct to the Medical Officer of Health; eight were referred by chief officers.
CARE OF THE AGED
As the proportion of old people in the community increases it becomes more urgent and necessary
to extend our medical and welfare services to care adequately for them.
Most old people are living alone but they can manage to look after themselves in spite of their
deciencies in money, suitable living accommodation and general amenities. Some require help to keep
them comfortable and happy in their own homes, while a small minority cannot be adequately cared for
except in a hospital or old people's home. The local health authority provides home nurses and home helps,
and health visitors investigate the needs of old people and arrange for the necessary services to be given.