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56
WORKSHOP SUPERVISION.
The Home Office forwarded 28 complaints relating to 34 nuisances during the year. The
following is an analysis of the nuisances complained of :—
Dirty Conditions 11 Overcrowding 5
Want of Ventilation (Gas Fumes) 4 Closet Accommodation (Various) 6
Do. (Steam from Washhouse) 1 Damp Floors 3
Defective Roof 1 Gas used for Warming 1
Other Matters 2
From workers 23 complaints were received, touching various matters. These were duly
attended to.
Cubic Space, Overcrowding.—When each workshop is first visited, the dimensions of each
workroom are taken by the Inspector, and its cubic contents calculated. Subsequently a card is
issued for each room showing the number of workers the room can accommodate, both at ordinary
hours and during overtime. In the former period the standard allowance of air space is 250 cubic
feet and in the latter, 400 cubic feet. The latter standard has also been imposed by Order of
the Home Secretary at all hours when artificial light other than electric is used, and also in
workrooms used as bedrooms.
Ventilation.—While the provision of adequate ventilation is under the supervision of the
local authority, the maintenance of a proper temperature is seen to by the Home Office. It
is almost impossible to regulate the one without dealing with the other, and consequently the
Department has sought to work with the Officials of the Home Office.
Fourteen workshops were reported as being insufficiently ventilated, but in the absence
of air tests, it is difficult to determine whether the ventilation is really adequate or not. The
question is not of the same importance in the summer as in the winter when there is a
tendency to shut all windows partly on account of the dread of draughts and partly to keep
up the temperature of the room. During the next winter air tests will be made as frequently
as possible. In the matter of temperature there is a difference of opinion among experts.
Some regard a temperature of 55° to 60° F as sufficient, others require 60° to 65°. The
character of the work and the hours of employment should be considered, as well as the
system of ventilation. Those engaged for long hours at sedentary occupations would feel
cold at the lower temperatures, especially if, as so many are, they be but thinly clothed. If the
air be admitted at high velocities, it must be at a fairly high temperature, otherwise draughts
will be complained of.
It is more difficult to secure the proper ventilation of small workrooms than of large,
chiefly on account of the draughts falling more directly on the workers in smaller rooms.
The Act requires that sufficient ventilation shall be provided and maintained, but in cold
weather it is only too common to find the windows and doors shut and ventilation left
to chance currents of air through badly fitting doors and windows. Sufficient means of
ventilation may be provided but sufficient ventilation is not maintained. It is possible by
determining the impurity of the air of the room to calculate the amount of fresh air provided
by the ventilation at work.
The proof of the efficiency or non-efficiency of the ventilation provided in any workroom
is the amount of impurity present in the air. Given the cubic capacity of the room, the
duration of the time it has been occupied and the amount of carbonic acid present, it is
possible to determine all the facts necessary to determine the sufficiency of the means of
ventilation. It is evident, therefore, that it is to the advantage of all concerned that some
standard amount of impurity of the air of workshops, should be prescribed. The Home
Secretary has the power under Sec. 7 of the Factory and Workshop Act, 1901, to prescribe
such standard, and in July, 1900, a Departmental Committee was appointed by him to report
on the subject.