View report page

51
SECTION C
Sanitary circumstances of the Area
The tables on pages 109 to 110 summarise, as far as possible,
the sanitary work of the Department; from these it will be seen
that a total of 13,824 houses and premises have been inspected or
re-inspected during the year; 440 intimation notices and 144
statutory notices were served. Of the latter figure 8 were in
accordance with the Housing Act, 1957.
Registered complaints, numbering 2,056, although showing a
decrease of 41 from those of the previous year, is a total greatly in
excess of the pre-war average of 700.
Legislation.—With reference to this Section the most
important statutory instruments passed during the year are listed
below: —
The Offices, Shops and Railway Premises Act, 1963.—The
broad purpose of this Act is to give office and shop workers
standards of working conditions and safety as favourable as those
which apply to factory workers under the Factories Act, 1961.
The Act requires that proper provision shall be made for
the premises and furniture to be kept clean and to secure that
each worker has adequate space. The premises must also be
kept at a proper temperature and effectively lighted and ventilated.
Proper sanitary conveniences, first aid and washing facilities,
drinking water, accommodation for clothing and facilities for
sitting must be provided. Certain requirements are laid down
regarding the safety of workers and the Minister of Labour is
empowered to make special regulations for securing the safety
and health of workers and. in particular, to protect them against
noise or vibrations which may affect their health. A Magistrate's
Court may on complaint prohibit the use of any premises,
machinery or process which they are satisfied cannot be used without
risk of injury.
The Minister has the power by Order to exempt a class of
premises from certain requirements of the Act in special circumstances
and the local authority may also exempt individual
premises from certain requirements.
Stringent provisions as to means of escape in case of fire will
be administered by the fire authority. For other purposes, the
enforcing authorities will generally be the borough or district
councils or, in London, the metropolitan borough councils but.
with respect to a local authority's own premises and certain other
premises, the Act is to be enforced by Factory Inspectors. Every
local authority and fire authority is required to appoint inspectors
to enforce the Act in their area.