View report page

15
The new developments and drainage section of the inspectorate also experienced a decided increase
in activity in matters for which they are responsible during the year. The very technical nature of the work
of the four inspectors (2 seniors) is coupled with the necessity to be constantly informed of new
materials of construction in drainage and plumbing works, in building developments and variations in
technique in the installation of sanitary fittings. Additional responsibilities of the inspectors in this section,
also connected with site development that continues to be of significance, include noise control and,
in association with the City Engineer's Department, nuisances from dust and smoke during demolition work.
In dealing with complaints that have arisen, experience has confirmed the necessity for the revised
legislation proposed to control unreasonable noise. It is to be hoped a similar pattern concerning the
control of dust etc. during the demolition of buildings, particularly necessary in areas such as Westminster,
will not be long delayed.
Public Health Inspectors — Duties outside normal office hours
The need for regular inspection of itinerant food vendors and premises where visits are only possible
during the late evening, particularly at weekends, referred to in previous reports, remains a necessary
feature of effective food and food premises control. The number of contraventions of the Food Hygiene
(Markets, Stalls and Delivery Vehicles) Regulations found by the inspectors employed on a "duty rota"
basis, referred to later in this report (page 28), (see also Analysis of Legal Proceedings, Table 25, page 72)
illustrates the need to continue the arrangement.
Student Public Health Inspectors
Since amalgamation, Westminster has proved the value of the fully comprehensive and systematic
training scheme provided within the Department for its complement of students. The overall supervision
of the four-year studentship of accepted pupils to ensure that experience gained is balanced in all aspects
of the work, and that it is, as far as possible, co-ordinated with the programme of lectures and practical
visits of instruction arranged by the Technical Colleges, remains the responsibility of a senior inspector.
Three students who completed their studies during the year passed the qualifying examination. A further
four students were appointed during the year, bringing the total still in training to fifteen.
Technical Assistants
Prior to the amalgamation of the London Boroughs in 1965, Westminster, St. Marylebone and Paddington
had employed technical assistants as a supplement to their establishment of public health inspectors to
assist them with their work in various ways. In general terms they were essentially enquiry officers, as in
principle they still are, although naturally their usefulness and capacity is relative to the experience they
acquire.
It has been found that the value of the technical assistant to the particular inspector or to the section
within which he works is greater if he remains more or less permanently attached to that section. Changes
are therefore kept to a minimum although it has been accepted that each technical assistant may progress
in salary, subject to his proven ability indicating that he can undertake work of greater responsibility.
The establishment of technical assistants to the public health inspectors in Westminster is 27. The
ever-increasing scope of the public health inspectors' work, which is of a highly technical nature, and its
potential legal involvement make it necessary to ensure that the services of public health inspectors are
utilised to the best advantage. As far as possible they concentrate on duties which require their full
professional skills. The appointment of assistants, without previous training, experience or qualifications,
must not be regarded as alternatives to inspectors, but nevertheless the assistants have a valuable part to
play in the environmental health scene, subject to discretion being used in their deployment. It is recognised
that there is no substitute for the skill and judgment of the fully qualified officer.
District Inspection
The district public health inspectors work in three groups under the day to day control of three Area
Inspectors of senior grading. Despite the various aspects of environmental work demanding specialist staff,
district duties are essentially the basis of general overall surveillance and control. District Inspectors
therefore continue in their full statutory responsibility for their respective areas in all aspects of the work,
liaison being maintained with their specialist colleagues as individual circumstances require.
A statistical summary of visits by public health inspectors appears in Table 9, on page 65.