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Section 16. The occupiers upon being instructed had these matters attended to immediately.
4. An office worker caught his fingers between the feed rollers of a paper folding machine.
This resulted in a crushed and badly cut finger. The inspector found upon investigation that
cleaning of the machine had commenced by an assistant on the previous evening under the
supervision of a mechanic. The assistant arrived early next morning and started on his own,
without supervision, to complete the cleaning. Three factors caused the accident - the
machine was inadequately guarded in front of the high speed rollers; the machine was cleaned
whilst in motion; and an unskilled and unsupervised operative was cleaning the machine. As a
further precaution large notices were displayed stressing the instructions to the staff on
these points, and extra safety devices were provided including a guard over the entrance to
the high speed rollers.
General comments on particular aspects of enforcement
Ownership and responsibility
Under the provisionsof the Act the responsibility for compliance is generally laid upon
the occupier of premises but in multi-occupied buildings certain matters become the responsibility
of the owner. These provisions have presented more difficulties than any other. With numerous
occupiers, ground leases, freeholds, sub-lettings and various interpretations of the term
"building" it is difficult, if not impossible, to determine accurately the person responsible
for ensuring that works are carried out. Even with co-operation it is difficult to establish
the persons having an interest in a particular property because often the occupier of the
part to which the Act applies cannot provide such information and when letters are sent to
owners it is almost impossible to convince them that the remedying of deficiencies has been
correctly deemed their responsibility.
Lighting
In 1965 a special survey was carried out to assess lighting standards in premises to
which the Act applied. This information, it was hoped, would result in minimal standards
being prescribed by statute. It is understood that instead, an advisory booklet is to be
supplied to enforcing authorities which will recommend standards. These will not be legally
enforceable.
Lifts and hoists
Regulations have been proposed but have not, to date, been issued. Detailed guidance on
these particular duties would be appreciated by the local authority inspectorate as they are
a new aspect of their work in which their experience is limited.
Conclusions
Tables attached to this report give details of the premises inspected, the number of
visits made and a summary of the deficiencies found and remedied during the year.
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