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13
FACTORIES
There was a decrease in the total number of factories in the borough compared with the previous year
(Table 46).
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 47.
Most notices were served for minor defects and were complied with without legal action.
Section 1 of the Factories Act requires internal walls, ceilings, etc. in all rooms, passages and staircases
in factories to be washed and repainted periodically, but provides for exemption in certain cases. The
Factories (Cleanliness of Walls and Ceilings) Order, 1958, which came into operation on the 16th June, 1958,
grants such exemption where walls and ceilings have been painted with two or more coats of emulsion paint
and which are repainted with at least one coat of such paint once every five years and are washed every
fourteen months. The makers certificate of quality of the paint and the dates of painting and washing must
be recorded in the general register of the factory.
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. Any basement bakehouse which is not used for twelve months
cannot be used again.
Under section 54, Certificates of Suitability issued to the occupiers of basement bakehouses when the
Factories Act came into operation, i.e. 1st July, 1938, have to be reconsidered by the Council every five years.
Provided the bakehouse is still suitable as regards construction, height, light, ventilation and any hygienic
respect, the certificate must be renewed. In 1953, nine certificates were issued, but since then three bakehouses
have ceased to be used. In July the Council considered reports in respect of the remaining six, and
agreed to renew the certificates.
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.
Inspection of these workers' homes were made by the Public Health Inspectors and notices were
served in respect of any found to be unsatisfactory (Table 48).
Noise nuisance
The Borough Council deal with noise nuisances under section 313 of the Middlesex County Council
Act, 1944. Complaints about 10 alleged noise nuisances were received, but only 7 could be dealt with under
this section; 3 were caused by compressor motors of various kinds, and one by a concrete mixer doing cement
chipping. After consultation with the management all were abated.
Noise from machinery was remedied by fixing the machines on beds of resilient material and
restricting the hours of work in two cases, and in another caused particularly during the hours of darkness,
the firm called in a noise consultant, and all his recommendations, including the provision of double
doors and windows, resilient bedding for machinery, and general sound insulation, were carried out. The
nuisance was successfully removed.
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE
The Council introduced an occupational health service for their employees in April, 1954.
Public Health inspectors visited all offices and workplaces to inspect working conditions, particularly
canteens, rest rooms, cloakrooms, and first-aid equipment. Defects such as poor ventilation or lighting,
defective water closet accommodation, dirty walls and ceilings, and inadequate first-aid equipment, were
brought to the notice of the chief officer concerned.
Suggestions were made for major improvements such as the cure of dampness, improvement of ventilation
in the vehicle spraying room and water closet compartments, provision of messing facilities, installation
of additional water closet accommodation, and alterations to boiler plant. These were considered by the
Council during the year and certain works were authorised.
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 nominate 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 : five were referred by chief officers.