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the daily removal of accumulations of dirt and refuse from the
floors and benches of workrooms and from the staircases and passages
and the weekly cleansing of every floor.
Overcrowding.
A new standard for the prevention of overcrowding in workrooms
has been laid down. The requirement of cubic space per
person employed is raised from 250 to 400 cubic feet, and no space
more than 14 feet from the floor is to be taken into account.
In the case of rooms used as workrooms on 30th July, 1937, the
old figure of 250 cubic feet is allowed for a period of 5 years, and if
suitable mechanical ventilation is installed before 30th July, 1942,
the concession is continued for a further 5 years (e.g., 30th July,
1947). The Medical Officer of Health (in certain cases) may require
such ventilation to be installed during the first five year period.
The sections dealing with ventilation (Sec. 4) and drainage of floors
(Sec. 6) substantially follow previously existing law.
Lighting.
A new provision is introduced requiring sufficient and suitable
lighting, whether natural or artificial, in every part of a factory in
which persons are working or passing (enforced by the Factory
Inspector).
Homework.
The sections of the new Act re-enact with some modifications
the old Act requiring list of outworkers to be kept in certain trades,
and empowering the district council by notice to prohibit the giving
out of work to be done in a place dangerous to the health of the
persons employed there.
The chief changes are:—
(i) The lists are to be sent to the district council during
February and August (not as previously, on or before 1st
February and 1st August) and are to show all outworkers
employed during the previous six months.
(ii) It is made clear that the section applies to outwork, irrespective
of whether the materials for the work are supplied by
the factory occupier, or not.