View report page

43
SMOKE NUISANCE.
With a view to preventing the emission of black smoke in such quantity as to be a
nuisance, the various shafts and chimneys, other than those of private dwelling
houses within the Borough, were kept under observation by inspector Quelch who is
charged with this duty. The improvement noted in last year's report has been
maintained. Some 19 complaints were received from the London County Council
respecting nine premises and 14 complaints relating to 12 premises from the Coal
Smoke Abatement Society. In each instance the existence of the nuisances was
brought to the notice of the person responsible and steps were taken to prevent the
recurrence. It was not necessary to bring any of the cases under the notice of the
Health Committee.
FACTORY AND WORKSHOP ACT, 1901.
The above Act requires that special reference shall be made in the annual reports
of medical officers of health to the administration of the Act, so far as the sanitary
work in connection with worshops and factories, affects the Borough Council. The
matters to be specifically dealt with are contained in the provisions relating to
sanitation, bakehouses, and home work. It is further required that a copy of the
medical officer of health's report on these matters shall be sent to the Secretary of
State. In view of these requirements, I beg to submit the following information
respecting the sanitary work carried out during the year:
The intimations received from the factory inspector respecting the establishment
of workshops within the Borough numbered 36, and referred to 99 workshops. These
were mainly used for the purpose of cabinet making, polishing, tailoring, upholstering,
boot making, millinery, fancy box making, fancy goods making, dyers-work and wood
carving. On inspection 70 of these workshops were found to be in a satisfactory
sanitary condition. The remaining 29 more or less required the attention of the
sanitary officers for the rectification of insanitary conditions, and the necessary
sanitary notices were issued.
The number of written intimations received from the factory inspectors respecting
various insanitary conditions and infringements of the law as to public health was 141,
relating to 223 workshops and work places. The chief insanitary conditions
mentioned by the factory inspectors as requiring attention were want of cleansing in
111 instances, dirt and dilapidations in 33, defective or insufficient water-closet
accommodation in 48, absence of water closet accommodation in 2, absence of proper
separate water closet accommodation for the sexes in 8, defective drains in 3, overcrowding
in 8, and sundry other defects in 10. These workshops and workplaces
were all visited and inspected by the officers of the Borough Council. The necessary
steps were taken to deal with the insanitary conditions, and the factory inspector was
informed of the same in accordance with the statutory requirements. It may be
stated that these visits of the sanitary officers were frequently attended by the