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Three applications for exemptions were received during the year;
two were subsequently withdrawn by the applicants and the remaining
one will be considered by the Council early next year.
14 accidents were reported during the year (none was fatal),
seven of which were investigated by this department and advice given
where necessary.
Main causation of the accidents
Stepping on or striking against object or person 5
Using cutting or piercing instruments 3
Handling materials or articles 3
On or from fixed stairs 2
Falls on same level 1
FOOD HYGIENE
Food shops and catering establishments were supervised by the
two women Public Health Inspectors and absorbed practically the whole
of their time, until the resignation of one at the end of May, to take
up a similar appointment with the Westminster City Council. Apart
from day-to-day supervision, there are frequent changes of ownership
with resultant changes in design and kitchen layouts. In addition,
12 new restaurants opened during the year. These new and altered
premises call for numerous detailed inspections regarding drainage
work, the siting of equipment and mechanical ventilation. A great
deal of work was carried out to existing ventilation plants and in
many cases the cause of complaints of the discharge of cooking odours
was completely eliminated.
Many instruction talks were given to kitchen staff on personal
hygiene and hygienic practices in food handling and the response has
in most cases been rewarding. Language difficulties do however arise
in some establishments employing practically all foreign labour but it
has always been possible to obtain the assistance of a member of the
management. Simple instruction sheets on food hygiene were prepared
in ten languages for distribution and display in such establishments.
Modernisation schemes continued in many of the public houses
including the provision of additional toilet and washing accommodation
for both customers and staff.
Many existing smaller type restaurants and coffee bars are
without sufficient toilet facilities for customers and in a number of
such cases it has been possible to provide additional water-closets,
urinals and washing facilities. Efforts in this direction continue
but in some of the very small premises structural difficulties make
the provision of full standard requirements impossible.