London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Holborn 1937

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Holborn Borough]

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from the emission of smoke. As the result of inspections made, one intimation
notice was served.
The use of unsatisfactory coal is the common cause of smoke nuisance;
such use sometimes arises when attempts are made to effect economy in running
plant. Usually a visit by the Inspector or a letter from the Medical Officer of
Health secures immediate abatement of the nuisance.
In accordance with its powers under the Public Health (London) Act, 1936,
the Council made a small contribution towards the cost of the work for smoke
abatement carried on by the National Smoke Abatement Society.
Inspection of Workshops, etc.
The routine inspection of factories, workshops and workplaces has been carried
out during the year. 259 factories were inspected, 211 workshops and 1,479
workplaces.
It is found that changes frequently occur in the occupation of workshops. To
obtain information of such changes and further details of industrial conditions in the
Borough a large number of visits and inspections were made in addition to the routine
inspections mentioned above. As the result of these visits 19 premises no longer used
for the purpose for which they had been registered were removed from the register of
workshops. In some cases, owing to the introduction of machinery, former"workshops'
had become "factories" and the necessary transfer to the factory register was effected.
Variations in the staff employed were also frequently reported. During the year 16
workshops were added to the register.
At the end of the year there were 630 workshops on the register.
383 employed men only,
40 employed women only, and
207 employed both men and women.
The number of employees is often very small and many of the workshops are in
tenement houses (houses let in lodgings).

No fewer than 156 different industries are carried on in these workshops, among the principal being the following:—

No. of Workshops Employing
Menonly.Women only.Both Sexes.Total.
Boot makers and repairers141217
Builders11—-11
Carpenters15116
Clock and watch makers18I19
Dressmakers and ladios' tailors112132
Diamond mounters819
Engravers20121
Glass blowers8210
Jewellers3531250
Leather goods makers5139
Metalworkers8412
Tailors2635180