View report page

information between Local Authorities which assists in efficient enforcement of this Act.
When stock is found that does not comply, all sources are traced and each local authority
with a retail outlet is enformed of the facts so that they can take the necessary action.
OFFICES, SHOPS & RAILWAY PREMISES ACT. 1963
General inspections of premises now consist of the inspection of newly registered
premises and of those premises which have not received an inspection for some time. Following
inspections, letters are sent to those owners and occupiers whose premises do not comply with
the statutory requirements specifying the inadequate facilities, defects and other matters
requiring their attention.
It will be noted from the attached tables that since the last Report the enforcing
inspectorate has been reduced by one Public Health Inspector and one Technical Assistant.
This was considered a reasonable economy in that once the initial inspections were carried
out, inspections and re-visits would establish a regular pattern which could effectively be
dealt with by a smaller establishment. The effect of this reduction of staff is reflected in
the current figures as compared with 1967.
1967
General inspections 676
Total visits 7,069
1968
General inspections 589
Total visits 5,330
With the present establishment and a total of 3,553 registered premises to which the
Act applies, it is estimated that each will receive a general inspections once every six
years.
There are now nearly 50,000 employees in the London Borough of Islington who come under
the Health Welfare and Safety provisions of the Offices, Shops and Railway Premises Act.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
As in previous years, it is gratifying to be able to report that once matters requiring
attention are drawn to the notice of the persons responsible, the majority of premises are
quickly brought up to a satisfactory standard.
The recalcitrant minority are sent warning letters and if this does not result in the
works being carried out, the cases are passed to the Council's legal division. After a further
approach by the Town Clerk most cases are finalised but, in a few, legal proceedings have to
be instituted. In the current year four informations were laid which led to three convictions.
In the fourth, the court adjourned the case sine die to allow the works, which had been started,
to be completed.
ACCIDENTS
The investigation of notifiable accidents is one of the most important aspects of this
work. An accident is notifiable to the Local Authority if it occurs in premises over which
they have jurisdiction and if it causes the death of an employee,or disables an employee
from doing his normal work for more than three days. All occupiers are notified of their
responsibility to notify such accidents at the time of the first general inspection.
An investigation is carried out in every case where there is a serious injury; where
the requirements of the Act may not be complied with; if there is some unusual aspect
requiring investigation or where the occupier has a poor record of compliance.
Most accidents are fortunately of a minor character and during the year in question,
103 accidents were notified of which 23 required further investigation.
There were two fatalities in the year. In the first case an office worker fell down a
lift shaft. The matter was investigated but at the resulting inquest a verdict of suicide was
returned.
46