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43
SANITARY ACCOMMODATION, ETC. IN SHOPS
The Shops Act, 1950, empowers the Council to enforce in all
shops -
(a) suitable and sufficient means of ventilation;
(b) suitable and sufficient means of maintaining
a reasonable temperature;
(c) suitable and sufficient water closet
accommodation.
As from 1st January, 1959, the London County Council transferred
to Metropolitan Borough Councils the responsibility for enforcing
provisions of the Shops Act, 1950, relating to adequate lighting, suitable
and sufficient washing facilities and, where employees take any meals in
the shop premises, suitable and sufficient facilities for taking those
meals.
Under Section 38 of the Shops Act, 1950, the Council may grant
a certificate exempting a shop from the provision of suitable and
sufficient water closet accommodation or washing facilities if they are
satisfied that by reason of restricted accommodation or other special
circumstances affecting the shop it is reasonable that such a
certificate should be in force, and that suitable and sufficient
accommodation or facilities are otherwise conveniently available.
The Council have decided that in those shops where members of
both sexes are employed, separate sanitary conveniences for each sex
should be required if the number of employees exceeds four, but if the
number is less than four, one sanitary convenience should be regarded
as suitable and sufficient, provided that the door of the convenience is
fitted with a proper lock or fastener on the internal side, and an
automatic indicator shows on the external side of the door whether the
apartment is engaged or vacant.
During the year 1964, no exemption certificate under the
Shops Act was granted.
Similarly, under the Pood Hygiene Regulations, exemption may
now be granted in food shops in respect of the provision of constant
water supply, wash-hand basins with hot and cold water, cupboard or
locker accommodation for outdoor clothing and facilities for washing
food and equipment, if such provision cannot reasonably be required.
During 1964, no exemption certificate was issued under the
Pood Hygiene Regulations.
REGISTER OF FACTORIES
The Factories Act, 1961, requires the Council to keep a list
of all factories within the borough with respect to which the duty of
enforcing the provisions of the Factories Act is imposed upon them.
The following table gives a summary of the factories on the
Council's register at the end of the year, indicating the types of
business carried on, whether or not mechanical power is used, and where
situated - i.e., North or South Kensingtons:-