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82
IX Workshops.
During 1901 Parliament was engaged in amending and codifying
the numerous Acts dealing with factories and workshops. The Act was
passed on the 17th August, and came into force on the 1st January, 1902,
with the exception of Section 101 (1) relating to underground bakehouses
not in use on the passing of the Act.
Section 132 of the Act directs that "The Medical Officer of Health
of every District Council shall in his annual report to them report
specifically on the administration of this Act in workshops and workplaces
and he shall send a copy of his annual report or so much of it
as deals with this subject to the Secretary of State."
The Act requires to be read with the Public Health (London) Act,
1891, parts of which replace sections in the Factory Act, so far as the
metropolis is concerned. Additional power of entry, similar to that
possessed by Factory Inspectors, is given to Sanitary Authorities, and
special duties are cast on them with regard to bakehouses, laundries and
outworkers.
The Council will recollect that, on my recommendation, the Home
Secretary was. asked to incorporate in the Act a clause giving him power
to alter the amount of cubic space allowable in the case of a workshop
which is occupied by night as a sleeping apartment, and that, on the
motion of Captain Jessel, such a clause was added to the Bill, and now
stands as Section 3 (3). In pursuance thereof the Home Secretary lias
made an Order increasing the amount of cubic space in such cases from
250 to 400 cubic feet for ordinary working hours.
The following is a copy of the Order :—
Statutory Rules and Orders, 1902.
No. 23.
Order of the Secretary of State, dated January 17, 1902, modifying the
proportion of cubic feet of space to be provided in a workshop
used as a sleeping place.
" In pursuance of the power conferred on me by sub-section (3) of
section 3 of the Factory and Workshop Act, 1901, I hereby direct that,
where a workshop other than a domestic workshop is occupied by day as
a workshop and by night as a sleeping place, the proportion of cubic
feet of space prescribed in sub-section (1) of the said section shall be
modified by substituting . four hundred. for . two hundred and fifty,.
and accordingly such workshop shall, for the purposes of the law
relating to public health, be deemed to be so overcrowded as to be
dangerous or injurious to the health of the persons employed therein if