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Cleanliness.—In a few cases only was it found necessary to serve
notices for cleansing. Those workshops and laundries which shortly
required cleansing were visited before the busy time, and the attention
of the occupier drawn to Section 2 of the Factory and Workshop Act,
1901. The obvious advantage was pointed out of doing the work
without waiting for a formal notice, if they wished to choose a time
least likely to cause interruption to the business. The employers show
increasing willingness to act on verbal instructions only. This was
especially the case with regard to the laundries, as eighteen were
cleansed in this way, without notice being served. In several cases,
where intimations were sent last year, the work was done voluntary this
year.
Ventilation.—The workrooms, on the whole, are provided with
sufficient means of ventilation, but the ventilation itself still leaves
much to be desired. It is a matter for regret that the workers themselves
do not help as they ought in this respect.
The statement is continually being made that the windows are
constantly opened, and always during mealtimes. As it is not desirable
to rely upon evidence obtained in single visits that this is so, some
attempt has been made to take observations from the street,
which is often possible. In some cases after notices had been served
for insufficient ventilation, observations were made at intervals to
ascertain that the improvement was being maintained. It is proposed
to extend this method in order to exercise more supervision in this
respect, without making too frequent inspections.