View report page

OFFICES, SHOPS AND RAILWAY PREMISES ACT, 1963.
The northern part of the Borough is congested, the long river frontage being
taken up by docks, wharves and warehouses. A considerable number of factories,
offices, shops and dwellings are found here. Many offices are situated within the
curtilage of factories. These, together with those occupied by the Crown and
Public Authorities, are subject to inspection by H.M. Factory Inspectorate.
The southern part of the Borough is mainly residential in character and
contains many large open spaces.
The Operation of the General Provisions of the Act.
Enforcement of the Act has been undertaken by staff of the Health Department.
The Public Health Inspectors are authorised Inspectors under Section 52 (1)
of the Act, and since the amalgamation have been, in general, dealing with
premises other than offices in addition to their numerous other statutory duties.
The inspection of office premises has, in the main, been undertaken by a Senior
Public Health Inspector with four Technical Assistants working under his supervision.
The Technical Assistants were appointed during July and August and
received the necessary instruction in their duties within the Department.
Arrangements were made for the completion of general inspections in all
registered premises. The statistical information required to be submitted annually
to the Minister of Labour is given below.
Notifications of the fact of employment on Forms O.S.R.l. continued to be
received during the year. A number of premises were found to be unregistered
during routine inspections, particularly in buildings in multiple occupation.
The necessary action was taken to secure registration. Other registrations were
received from H.M. Factory Inspectorate when premises were removed from the
Factory Register.
The majority of occupiers were prepared to comply with the requirements
of the Act. In many instances minor infringements only were noted during
inspections and verbal Notices sufficed. In other instances, particularly where
it was considered that an element of risk of injury existed, written Notices were
sent followed by reminder letters where appropriate. Delay in compliance was
frequently due to the difficulty in obtaining the services of builders and contractors
for such matters as redecoration, alterations to premises and installation of
fittings. The greater part of the available labour force appeared to be attracted
to new building projects.
The main shortcomings encountered during inspections are set out below.
Those which were remedied during the year are also recorded. The following
comments are made in respect of particular items:—
Cleanliness. (Sec. 4.)
Difficulty had been experienced by many occupiers in obtaining cleaning
staff. Walls were often seen in a dirty condition above a height of some five to
18