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OFFICES AND SHOPS
The Offices, Shops and Railway Premises Act 1963 and associated Iregulations protect the safety,
health and welfare of employees in certain classified premises. There are 59,519 persons employed in the
borough in premises registered under the Act. This compares with 58,835 persons employed in registered
premises in 1971. The increase is due mainly to an increase in office employees. In 1971, the number of
persons working in registered offices was 45,982 whilst the figure for 1972 is 46,719 - an increase of 1.5%.
The number of retail shops registered continues to decrease.
ACCIDENTS AT WORK
The Act requires that where any person employed in premises to which the Act applies suffers an
accident which proves either fatal or keeps that person away from work for three or more days, the details
of the accident must be reported to the Council. This is where the Council has a duty to enforce the provisions
of the Act.
As in 1971, the majority of accidents notified (26.7%) were for back and shoulder injuries caused
through lifting. A booklet setting out the correct way of lifting and carrying published by the Department
of Employment is being issued by inspectors of my departmentto appropriate employers.
One fatal accident was notified during the year. This was caused by a person falling about 45 feet from
a rooftop parapet wall to the ground below. An inquest returned a verdict of accidental death and an investigation
into the accident revealed no defect at the property in respect of safety precautions for employees.
GENERAL STANDARDS
In view of the frequency of inspection carried out by the Council officers there are no known premises
to which the Act applies where conditions are particularly bad. The types of premises most likely to fall
within thiscategory are those in which the owner was formerly self-employed and has subsequently engaged
staff. In such cases the owner may not be aware of the legal requirements.
It did not become necessary during the year to take any action regarding dangerous conditions and
practices, as provided for under Section 22 of the Act.
SPECIAL CASES
Concerning the particular request of the Department of Employment for information regarding
specific instances of exceptionally good or bad standards in the observance by employers of their responsibilities
under the Act, there are very many large modern office blocks in the commercial areas of the
borougi. where standards are outstandingly high. Similarly, shops owned by many multiple firms where
standards are also high are to be found throughout the borough. It would therefore be invidious to quote
specific examples of the maintenance of good standards.
AUTHORISED OFFICER
Appreciation is again expressed for the guidance and advice given through the year by the appointed
authorised officer of the Department of Employment.
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