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FACTORIES
Section 7 of the Factories Act, 1961, requiring the provision of sufficient and
suitable sanitary conveniences is enforced by the Council in all factories, whether
mechanical power is used in the factory or not. The provisions of sections 1, 2, 3,
4 and 6 relating to cleanliness, overcrowding, the maintenance of a reasonable
temperature, the securing of adequate ventilation of workrooms and the furnishing
of adequate means of draining floors where wet processes are carried on, are
enforced by the Council in factories in which mechanical power is not used. The
provisions of section 7 are also applied to certain building operations and works of
engineering construction, etc.
A local authority is required to keep a register of factories where it is responsible
for the enforcement of any of the provisions mentioned above. Close cooperation
is maintained with H.M. Inspectors of Factories so that any fault found
by them during the course of their visits and for which it is the duty of the local
authority to take action, are notified to the Health Department. Similarly, the
public health inspectors notify H.M. inspectors. H.M. inspectors also forward to
the Health Department details of new factories, the introduction of mechanical
power or other information which may assist the local authority.
Special attention is paid to factory canteens. These are visited by the Council's
inspectors and opportunity is taken to discuss with staff the need to maintain a
good standard of food hygiene.
The Medical Officer of Health is required to report on the administration of
Part I (factories) and Part VIII (outworkers), which are administered by the
local authority. Details follow: