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employed about the business of a shop, and (ii) securing
improved arrangements for the health and comfort of shop
workers generally. The Act came into operation on the
30th December, 1934.
The provisions relating to the hours of employment
are to be administered by the local authorities under the
Shops Act, and by the local authorities responsible for
the regulation of street trading (i.e., in both instances in
London, the London County Council). As regards the
arrangements for the health and comfort of any workers
generally, while the enforcement of the provisions as to
lighting of shops, washing facilities and facilities for meals,
rests with the Shops Act authorities, the provisions as to
ventilation and temperature of shops and as to sanitary
conveniences in shops are to be administered by the sanitary
authorities (i.e., in London, the Metropolitan City
and Borough Councils).
The Act applies to three classes of premises : retail shops,
wholesale shops and warehouses.
Ventilation and Temperature.—It is provided by
Section 10 that in every part of a shop in which persons
are employed about the business of a shop—
(i) There must be provided suitable and sufficient
means of ventilation and sufficient ventilation
must be maintained.
(ii) There must be provided suitable and sufficient
means to maintain a reasonable temperature and
a reasonable temperature must be maintained.
" Employment about the business of a shop " is a very
wide term and includes any employment in the service of
an occupier which is ancillary to the business carried on
in the shop, e.g., cleaning and maintenance work.
Sanitary Conveniences.—Section 10 (2) of the Act provides that in every shop, unless it is specifically exempted,
there must be provided and maintained suitable and
sufficient sanitary conveniences. These conveniences have
to be available for the use of persons employed "in or