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To prevent any danger to health arising from the heating of metal, an
elaborate system of ventilation, including a small hood over each gas-heater, is
provided; it terminates in a large exhaust fan in the roof which runs all the timn
machines are working.
Sanitary Condition of Offices.
The question of the sanitary supervision of offices is one of considerable
importance in an area such as Holborn, containing as it does a very large number
of professional and commercial offices. During the year 1929, 25 separate offices
were inspected; in three cases it was found necessary to serve notices for the abatement
of a nuisance.
The question has been raised as to the powers possessed by Metropolitan Local Authorities
for the inspection and supervision of offices and the matter has, from time to time, been
considered by the Metropolitan Boroughs Standing Joint Committee. A representation was
made by that Committee to the Minister of Health asking for the introduction of legislation
definitely granting to Local Authorities power for this inspection and supervision. In reply
the Minister drew attention to the powers possessed by Local Authorities in London under
the Public Health (London) Act, 1891, for dealing with insanitary premises, and the Minister
considered that in view of the decision in the case of Bennett v. Harding (1900) the expression
" workplace " which occurs in Sub-Section 2 of Section 38 of the Act, was wide enough to
cover offices. Subsequently, however, a further letter was addressed by the Minister to the
Standing Joint Committee expressing the hope that it would be found possible for some
Metropolitan Borough Council to arrange for a test case. No such test case, however, has yet
been taken.
There are, of course, in the Borough many blocks of offices which adequately conform
to all reasonable hygienic requirements. Large corporations and industrial concerns recognise
the value, in increased output, which comes from housing their clerical staff in good
conditions. In small businesses the conditions are not always so satisfactory; lighting is
poor and ventilation inadequate; this is particularly so where parts of large rooms are
partitioned off for office purposes and where offices are situated in basements.
During the year a Bill was introduced in the House of Commons to regulate offices and
the employment of young people therein. The Bill dealt with the sanitary condition of
offices, overcrowding, underground offices, the provision of sanitary conveniences and rest
rooms, means of escape in case of fire, restriction of period of employment and other cognate
matters. The duty of enforcing the provisions of the proposed measure was placed on the
local sanitary authority, except that in London the provision as to rest rooms and fire escape
were to be enforced by the London County Council. The Bill was read a first time in
November and although no further progress was made with the measure, it may be assumed
that it indicated the trend of future legislation on this subject.
Glass Permeable to Ultra-Violet Radiation.
The use of such glass for windows in schools, work buildings and homes cannot
but be regarded as highly desirable from a health point of view. This glass transmits
the biological and therapeutic wave lengths of the ultra-violet rays and its
general use, particularly in towns, would confer a benefit on school children at
their lessons, workers in offices and shops, sick people confined to bed and residents
generally in the crowded houses of our mean streets.