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89
"Warming of Workrooms.— The provisions of the
Factory and Workshop Act, 1895, with respect to warming,
are now very fairly carried out, with great addition to the
comfort of the workers, and, I believe, with advantage to the
employers. At one dressmaker's establishment in South
Kensington, a new workroom has been opened in another
house, so as to provide more efficient means of warming, the
room in use last winter being without a fireplace and warmed
only by a small oil stove.
"Tidiness.—Although I have been pleased to observe improvement
in some cases with regard to the sweeping and
tidying of workroom floors, there have been numerous instances
in which I have had frequently to call attention to unswept
and untidy conditions. I could wish that the accumulation
of clippings in dressmakers', and particularly in tailors' workshops,
could be made an offence under the Acts, for they
harbour dust and dirt, so as, in effect, to constitute a very real
nuisance.
"Prosecution.—One occupier was summoned for noncompliance
with the Vestry's order to cleanse and repair a
laundry in the north district. The work was completed
before the hearing of the summons.
"Complaints are occasionally received, and all those relating
to sanitary matters in connection with workshops, whether
anonymous or otherwise, are attended to as soon as practicable.
Those regarding long hours of work, of which I received several
during the year, are referred to the Lady Factory Inspectors'
Department at the Home Office. Complaint was received,
not for the first time, of overcrowding in the bedrooms at a
large drapery establishment. I made a thorough investigation
into the matter but found no cause for the complaint.
The accommodation generally was, indeed, of an unusually
satisfactory character.