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A particular problem of heating arises in the Smithfield Market area. There are
many meat warehouses where, becauses of the nature of the trade, it would be
impracticable to heat the premises to the prescribed standard. The Act allows for this,
but inspections revealed that there is very little provision made at these premises for
employees to warm themselves at all.
ventilation Many modern shops have been found without adequate provision for their
ventilation, and securing the premises against burglary often conflicts with the
provision of opening windows.
In offices generally ventilation is adequate but difficulties have been found in
lower ground floor offices where windows could not be opened because dirt and fumes
would then enter the premises.
Water closet compartments are often inadequately ventilated as are the intervening
spaces between the sanitary accommodation and the workrooms.
Lighting A special report on lighting is included in this year's annual report.
Sanitary and Washing Accommodation The main deficiencies have been found in small
premises where it has become necessary to provide separate accommodation for the sexes.
Many small shops and some older offices have not been provided with hot or warm
running water.
External water closets are often not provided with artificial lighting.
Drinking Water Where practicable a mains supply of drinking water has been required.
Some larger offices provide exchangeable water containers with paper cups and one
office has considered adapting a coffee dispensing machine to dispense drinking water
as well as hot drinks.
Clothing Accommodation Generally the provision of clothing accommodation has been
adequate.
In larger office blocks, where clothing accommodation is provided in one central
place, some employees prefer to keep their outdoor clothing with them, in the office in
which they work; these individual offices usually have no clothing accommodation. The Act
prescribes provision 'at suitable places' - the substitution of 'conveniently accessible
to the employees' as is elsewhere prescribed, may remedy this particular problem.
Seating A few cases of insufficient seating accommodation have been found in shops
and warehouses.
Floors, passages and stairs The application of this part of the Act still reveals
that the condition of floors, passages and staircases constitute the greatest threat to
the employees' welfare.
Open and unguarded floor traps and lift spaces, missing handrails, broken stair
treads and nosings are all too common in shops, warehouses and catering premises.
Some occupiers have deliberately removed existing handrails to facilitate the
moving of goods from one floor to another.
Several butchers' premises have vertical cast-iron ladders. These ladders become
covered with grease, and as they are rarely provided with a handhold become very
dangerous.
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