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32
SECTION C
Sanitary Circumstances of the Area
Intensive work has been carried out during the year by the
Sanitary Inspectors in maintaining a reasonable state of living
conditions in the existing houses. The volume of necessary inspections and revisits coupled with shortage of staff has greatly handicapped constructive effort. House-to-house inspection has been
found impossible to carry out.
Following a report to the Health Committee, sanction has now
been given to the appointment of an additional District Inspector
and it is hoped that in the near future it may be possible once again
to carry out inspections under the Housing Act.
The Tables on pages 38 and 39 summarise, as far as possible,
the sanitary work of the Department; from these it will be seen
that a total of 16,137 houses and premises have been inspected or
re-inspected during the year.
2,458 Intimation Notices and 325 Statutory Notices have been
issued.
Factories Act, 1937.—There has been a steady increase in the
number of Factories in the Borough ; many of the extensions commenced in the previous year have now been completed. It is
pleasing to record the co-operation given by employers of labour in
meeting with the Local Authorities' requirements. The workers have
been adequately catered for by the enforcement of the provisions
dealing with washing and drying facilities, canteen quarters, sanitary
accommodation, etc.
Much has been achieved in recent years owing to the appreciation by industrial undertakings of the value of hygienic conditions
in factory buildings.
Owing to varying circumstances it was not possible to carry out
routine inspections during the year under review but 213 visits were
made by the Inspectors to factories where mechanical power is used
and 26 visits to other factories.
Factories where Women are Employed.—Since the termination of the war there has been some diminution in the employment
of women. As a general rule employers continue to show an increased
interest in the welfare of their women workers, although their
efforts are hampered by the general shortage of necessary material.
Outworkers.—Premises where homework is carried on were
visited on 30 occasions by the Woman Inspector. No case of
Infectious Disease was reported during the year. It is significant