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195
[1899
Sanitary Defects.—Besides the sanitary defects mentioned under the headings
of "Ventilation" and "Cleanliness," I have reported to you 313 nuisances, liable
to be dealt with under the Public Health Act, which I discovered on the premises
inspected. As a result of my reports, the drains of 26 workshops have been tested
and found defective by Inspector West, and relaid under his supervision. Among
the other nuisances (details of which are in the appended summary of my work)
were:—Fifty-eight sanitary conveniences without a water supply, 61 drains unventilated
or with directly connected sink waste and rainwater pipes, eight cases
of insufficient sanitary accommodation, seven defective cistern lids, 22 dilapidated
dustbins, etc.
I have served 85 intimation notices, and have personally supervised the abatement
of 195 nuisances.
Outworkers.—1 have, during the year, paid 103 visits to the homes of female
outworkers, most of whom were working for Islington employers, from whom I
obtained their names and addresses. I found on inquiry that in many cases no lists
of outworkers were kept for inspection, and in other cases those kept were distinctly
out of date, as when on one occasion I called to see a woman whose name figured
on such a list, and found that she had been dead for three years In consequence
of these difficulties, you drew up a circular, calling the attention of employers to
the requirements of the Factory and Workshop Acts as regards outworkers, which
I have found very useful.
In accordance with the Order of the Home Secretary, the addresses of 138 outworkers,
employed by Islington firms but residing in other districts, have been
forwarded to the Medical Officers of Health of these districts. Though numbers of
Islington outworkers get their work from other parishes, very few notifications
regarding them have been received.
The conditions under which I found the work being done varied greatly, but
they were for the most part indifferent. I understand that in most cases the employer
knows nothing of the home of the outworker, but simply judges her suitability
by the sample of work which she can show and her personal appearance.
I hear, however, of one firm who send to see where their work is done, and will
allow nothing to be made in rooms used as sleeping rooms. This is a wise precaution,
but it is very exceptional. I fear that in most cases the prices offered for
work are so small that no such condition could possibly be imposed on the worker.
If all premises where articles of wearing apparel, etc., are made, were systematically
inspected, employers would no doubt be more careful regarding the homes of their
outworkers, but the risk of the spread of infectious disease from homework would
still remain, as unfortunately scarlet fever, measles, chicken-pox, etc., invade even
cleanly and sanitary premises.
I am, Sir,
Your obedient servant,
JESSY M. S. GRAY,
Inspector of Workshops, etc.