View report page

29
A considerable amount of dust is generated during the process of finishing the handles,
but mechanical ventilation is provided and the workers appeared to be healthy.
Representations were made to the occupiers of the factory respecting the smell from the
bristle steaming, and to prevent the nuisance the plant was removed to another part of the
building and was reconstructed in such a manner that all steam is condensed and cooled
before it is allowed to escape into the drain.
Ample W.C. and washing accommodation is provided for the workers, and the factory,
although not of modern construction, is well lighted and ventilated.
Brassfounders.
Complaints were received respecting fumes from a brassfounder's works. These works
are situated in a yard behind two tenement houses; small castings in brass, bronze and gunmetal
are made.
In the case of alloys containing a high percentage of zinc owing to the comparatively
low temperature at which the metal burns, a nuisance is likely to arise if the metal gets too
hot. The trouble has largely been overcome by increasing the height of the chimney and by
the exercise of more care to prevent overheating.
Coke is used for fuel; the furnace is constructed in the ground and it causes no nuisance
The building is old and surrounded by dwelling houses. The castings made are nearly all for
articles wanted in a hurry, so that a centrally situated workshop is necessary.
Cellulose Enamels.
The use of cellulose enamels is growing largely in connection with the finishing of
wooden and metal articles in particular. The enamel which consists of a solution of cellulose
in amyl-acetate, or some allied solvent can be obtained in various colours and transparent.
It gives a hard, heat-resisting surface particularly suitable for some goods. The method of
application is usually by means of a spraying machine used in a specially constructed room,
having a fan and shaft to carry off the smell arising from the amyl-acetate. This smell,
though very pungent and having some effect on the throats of people unaccustomed to it,
probably has no ill-effects on the workers under the conditions in which it is used.
In spite of the fact that the usual extract fan and shaft were provided, a series of complaints
were received in respect of a firm of military drum makers who used this enamel. Since the
complaints were lodged the firm have left the district for larger and more convenient
premises.
Chocolate Making.
Opportunity was taken during the year to inspect a chocolate factory, where about
30 hands, mostly girls, are employed. The factory was found to be well constructed, lighted
and ventilated, and to be provided with ample W.C. and washing accommodation. At this
factory the process is carried through from the whole cocoa, nib, which is ground 011 tho
premises, the husks being separated and sold to the manufacturers of cheap sweets.
The chocolate, after being thoroughly ground, is mixed with sugar, flavouring essences
and water to form a thin paste, heated, and run into iron moulds to form bar chocolate or
used for covering the sweetmeat centres which are made in another part of the building.
This covering in the case of best class goods is done by picking the "centre" up with a fork
and dipping it into the chocolate; for cheaper grades the centres are dipped by hand into the
chocolate mixture.
Although hand work is usual in all but the highest class work, it does not seem
desirable, as the worker does not necessarily keep her hands clean because facilities arc
provided for doing so.