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Visits to shops selling oil heaters continued with special emphasis on second-hand
dealers. Five cases of such dealers having in their possession oil fires which did not
comply with the regulations were discovered. In each case the dealer voluntarily surrendered
the heaters and destruction was carried out under the inspector's supervision. A warning was
given that a second offence might lead to legal proceedings being taken.
Offices, Shops and Railway Premises Act, 1963
All the requirements of the Act and the regulations made thereunder were now in force
and, with a few special exceptions, all premises to which the Act applies have received a general
inspection to ascertain to what extent, if any, they fell short of the standards prescribed.
4349 premises have been inspected.
Although there was a duty imposed on occupiers to register with the local authority
some still failed to do so. This technicality did not prevent the premises from being
recorded, inspected and brought up to the requisite standard.
In the early days of implementation it was the exception to find any premises which
complied entirely with the prescribed standards. Recently it was noticed that more of the
newer premises complied with the legislation thus indicating a greater awareness of the
statutory requirements by the employers.
At the end of the year it could be said that the massive task of inspecting the
thousands of premises which had never been inspected before, had been accomplished.
Inspections and revisits were now carried on as a regular routine in the same way as
other premises which were regularly visited by the Environmental Health Services.
Legal Proceedings
Once the provisions of the Act were drawn to their attention, the majority of owners
and occupiers were quick to bring their premises up to a satisfactory standard. A few were
reluctant to carry out works without coercion.
During the year 47 cases were referred to the Council's Legal Division for consideration
as to whether proceedings should be instituted. Most of these cases, after further approach
by the Town Clerk, were abated but there remained a hard core in respect of which proceedings
might be instituted.
Accidents
Investigation was carried out in every case where there was serious injury; where the
requirements of the Act were not complied with; or if there were some unusual aspect. During
the year out of 105 accidents notified only 26 required investigation.
Some reported and investigated accidents
1. A butchery assistant was using a band saw for cutting joints of meat and cut his hand.
Although safety precautions were taken by the occupiers of the premises an accident occurred.
It is questionable whether this type of saw can be safely used for the cutting of small
joints of meat. It is difficult to guard and there is very small clearance between the
unguarded area of the fast moving saw blade and the operative's hand.
2. A shop assistant tripped over some defective floor covering and injured her back. The
floor covering was found to be worn, uneven and holed in places contrary to Section 16. The
occupiers, on instructions, had the floor covering renewed.
3. A van driver slipped on a staircase injuring his heel which became septic. The steps of
the staircase were found to be in a poor condition and the handhold inadequate contrary to
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