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39
THE FACTORIES ACT, 1937.
The Factories Act, 1937, which, except as otherwise provided,
came into operation upon the 1st July, 1938, consolidates the Act of
1901 and the various Acts subsequently passed into one amending Act,
which, so far as public health is concerned, brings matters relating to
health into correct focus, in view of changed industrial conditions.
The definition "Factory," by the abolition of the expression
"Workshop," now comprises all premises formerly so described,
together with such "Workplaces" as are affected by the Act by virtue
of the method of occupation. It is to be noted that premises occupied
by municipal authorities are brought within the ambit of the Act.
The Medical Officer of Health is, by Section 128, required to report
upon the matters contained in Parts I and VIII of the Act, and to
give written notice to the Factory Inspector of any factory in which
no Abstract of the Act is affixed.
Part I deals with general health provisions, and matters relating to
cleanliness, overcrowding, temperature, ventilation, drainage of floors
are enforced by the Borough Council in factories in which mechanical
power (as defined) is not used, subject to certain exemptions in the
case of specified occupations and certain statutory undertakings and
Crown factories. The provisions as to sanitary conveniences are
enforced in all factories by the Borough Council.
Part VIII deals with the furnishing to the Borough Council by the
occupier of the names of persons engaged in certain classes of work as
outworkers and the prohibition of employment of such persons in
unwholesome premises. The Borough Council is given power to forbid
work to be given out to any person living in a house in which infectious
disease exists.
In addition, the Council is charged with the responsibility of ensuring
that the sanitary condition of bakehouses is maintained and the periodical
certification of basement bakehouses. With a view to implementing
the various parts of the Act, the register of Factories was checked with
the records of the Factory Inspector and the premises visited. With
regard to basement bakehouses, there are eight premises falling within
this category. Each was visited and certain defects remedied and the
Council recommended to grant a certificate of suitability.