View report page

1906]
224
raised, and a substantial improvement effected in the condition of the homeworker. It
appears desirable also that the employer should be made responsible, at least in some
degree, for the conditions under which his work is done, instead of, as at present, shifting
the entire responsibility on to the shoulders of the Outworkers.
It would undoubtedly be difficult to legislate for these conditions, but that it can be done
has been proved by the success attending like measures of reform in other countries. A
Bill to establish Wage Boards has already been introduced, and it is hoped that this may
eventually become law.
During the year 138 Workshops, Laundries and Factories in which the abstract of the
Factory Act was not affixed or which had not been already visited were forwarded to H.M. Inspector
for the district. The majority of those starting new workshops do not appear to realize
their legal responsibility in the matter of notifying to the Home Office the fact that they
are employing protected persons. This notification in some cases is purposely omitted in
order to escape the attention of the authorities, but in most cases appears to be due rather
to carelessness or to an imperfect knowledge of the law.
In accordance with section 107 of the Factory and Workshop Act, the names and
addresses of 567 Outworkers working for Islington employers while residing outside the
Borough have been forwarded to their respective districts.
The Sanitary defects found in connection with the workplaces where women are employed
may be summarized as follows:—
Overcrowding.—Overcrowding was found in 25 workrooms during the year. The number
of employees was in each case reduced on notice being given. 364 workroom cards were distributed
stating the cubic capacity and the number allowed in each room.
Cleanliness.—181 workrooms were found in a dirty condition during the year, and 183
have been cleansed.
Ventilation.—Additional means of ventilation have been provided in 5 workplaces which
were found to be insufficiently ventilated. While in other respects the condition of work
places seems to be gradually improving, there does not appear to be any marked improvement
in the matter of ventilation. Even where there is an ample supply of means of ventilation,
there is often no attempt made to use the existing means. The employee seems most to blame for
this state of affairs, as frequently the employer is anxious as far as possible to meet the
wishes of the authorities in this respect. Many of the workers who appear not to have
even elementary ideas as to the advantages of fresh air, refuse to have the windows open;
consequently they remain closed, unless an Inspector happens to call. The subject of fresh
air and ventilation in its relation to health might with advantage be made a very special
subject of study in our elementary schools, as the want of fresh air must necessarily affect
unfavourably the health and consequently the other conditions of the worker.
Sanitary accommodation.—Twenty-one instances of premises having either insufficient
accommodation or want of separate accommodation were found during the year and have,
with accompanying defects, been dealt with by Inspector West.
Miscellaneous defects. In addition to the matters already mentioned, 182 miscellaneous
defects were found. Of these, 145 had been remedied before the end of the year.
Two Statutory Notices and 90 Intimation Notices have been served during the year.
I am, Sir,
Your obedient servant,
JOSEPHINE J. BROWN,
Sanitary Inspector of Workshops.