View report page

113
Inspections made numbered 137, of which 120 were to factory
bakehouses, and 25 intimation notices were served, mainly for
failure to carry out the half-yearly cleansing or lime-whiting of the
bakehouses within the statutory period.
Warehouses and Wharves, &c.
At the end of 1937 there were 61 premises on the register,
including railway yards, mews and stables. These premises are
systematically inspected, and during the year 108 inspections were
made. Three intimation notices were served to remedy nuisances
found on inspection, and were complied with.
Factories Act, 1937.
This Act, which is to come into force on 1st July, 1938, repeals
and consolidates existing Factory, &c., Acts, and revises the existing
law in conformity with modern standards and conditions. It also
provides for improved arrangements for the safety, health and
welfare of factory workers.
It contains a revised and extended definition of "factory,"
which now includes inter alia building operations and engineering
construction works coming within the definition of the Act, and also
laundry and dyers' receiving offices where sorting of articles is
carried out. Distinctions which previously existed between a
factory and a workshop and between textile and non-textile factories
are abolished, only the one term "factory" being used.
The Metropolitan Borough Councils are, as previously, to
enforce the provisions with regard to sanitary conveniences in all
factories, and in factories where mechanical power is not employed
(i.e., "workshops") they are to enforce the clauses relating to cleanliness,
overcrowding, temperature, ventilation and drainage of floors.
Of these items, temperature is new. The provisions as to overcrowding
are made more stringent, but for a period of five years existing workrooms
are to be subject to the present standard. There is also a
requirement that a supply of drinking water shall be available
for employees in factories.