London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
View report page
Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Islington 1930
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Islington Borough]
This page requires JavaScript
63
[1930
Tobacconists' shops have no definite lunch hours. Assistants have to take
their meals in between serving customers. Not allowed to leave the premises until
closing time.
In one multiple firm (Food).—Very prominent notices displayed on lavatory
doors drawing attention of employees to the provision of washing facilities. In
some of the other places there was a lack of towels and soap, but this was not
general. Employees sometimes brought their own. About 15 per cent, of lock-up
shops mostly, were served by a " Towel " firm.
Summary of Statistics re Special Investigation of Shops.
Class.
In the main the shops were of the middle and artisan class.
Ventilation.—Good, 68.5%. Moderate, 29.4%. Bad, 2.1%.
On the whole the ventilation was good. In the majority of cases in which it
has been classed as moderate, the fault was draughtiness, causing discomfort to
shop assistants. This could be obviated by closing the doors, or shop front being
enclosed.
Overcrowding.
The only instance of this was in a wholesale grocery establishment. Space
taken up with stock.
Heating.—Good, 37%. Moderate, 25%. Bad, 38%.
The high percentage shown under the third heading was due to the business carried on at the premises concerned,
| Good. | Bad. | Moderate. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Butchers | — | 90% | 10% |
| Fishmongers | — | 90% | 10% |
| Greengrocers | — | 90% | 10% |
| Cooked meats | — | 80% | 20% |
| Grocers | — | 90% | 10% |
| Tobacconists | 10% | 40% | 50% |
| Dairies | 20% | 70% | 10% |
Lighting.—Good, 61.1%. Moderate, 38.9%.
Conditions were generally good. Where the lighting was found to be
moderate, classification thus was due, not to insufficiency, but to glare.
Sanitary accommodation.—Satisfactory, 87.3%. Unsatisfactory, 9.4%.
None, 3.3%.
In eight of the unsatisfactory instances, the conditions were due to one w.c.
being used by both sexes. Where no accommodation was provided, in every
instance the premises were newly built lock-up shops, and the assistants had to
make their own arrangements.
Mess rooms.—Good, 23.6%. Moderate, 24.7 %. None, 51.7%.
In the majority of shops visited no special provision was made for the staff to
have meals on the premises, and in most instances where the provision was good,
it was found that the staff were permitted to use the domestic rooms of the
proprietor. This obtained in small shops only.
Cloak rooms.—Provided as such, 8.4 %. Other provision, 91.6%. (Pegs, cupboards,
etc.).
In no case was it found that assistants were without some provision in this
respect.