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OFFICES, SHOPS AND RAILWAY PREMISES ACT, 1963
During 1971, 76 offices were registered for the first time compared with 53 in the
previous year and at the end of the year showed an increase of 19. Although 140
retail shops were registered for the first time during the year compared with 101
for 1970, the final figure at the end of the year showed a drop from 1,348 to
1,212. The last of the fuel depots closed during the year. The number of registered
premises inspected in 1971 was 1,575 compared with 1,487 for 1970 and
the total number of visits made during the year rose from 5,268 to 5,688. The
number of staff employed fell from 15,602 to 15,135.
The number of items requiring attention showed an increase in 1971 but this
may partly be due to the greater number of visits made. The figures shown below
indicate that a poor standard of cleanliness was the most common defect, followed
closely by deficient and insufficient washing facilities and the absence of
a thermometer.

There were less accidents reported in 1971 (70 compared with 75) and most
were fortunately of a minor character; 33 of the accidents were fully investigated.
None of the accidents was due to a food slicing machine and it would seem that
the staff are showing a greater awareness of the need for care and this may well
be due to the leaflet, "The Safe Use of Food Slicing Machines".
Further repairs were carried out during 1971 on lifts and hoists and this
confirms the value of the regulations dealing with these.