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Outworkers.—A total of 955 lists was received during the year.
Notices in respect of failure to send lists were sent to 183 firms. No
legal proceedings were necessary, but four firms were cautioned.
The lists contained 9,437 names and addresses, of which 5,163 were
in other districts, 4,462 being within the Metropolitan area and 688 in the
London Suburban districts.
The number of individual outworkers in the City at the close of the
year was 1,655, of whom 1,585 were registered as occupying workshops.
The number of premises in which outwork was being carried on was 674.
Factories Act, 1937.—This Act received the Royal Assent in July, 1937, and
will come into force on the 1st July, 1938. It repeals the Factory and Workshop Act
of 1901 and subsequent Acts and amends certain sections of the Public Health
(London) Act, 1936, and a number of other Acts containing provisions relating to
factories and workshops. In the Act of 1901 a distinction was made between a
factory and a workshop, but this is abolished in the new Act and the expression
"workshop" omitted, only one term "factory" being employed.
The provisions with which local authorities are primarily concerned are those
relating to (a) cleanliness, overcrowding, temperature, ventilation and drainage of
floors in factories in which mechanical power is not used; (6) sanitary conveniences
in all factories; (c) basement bakehouses; and (d) outworkers.
Cleanliness.—The general rule that every factory shall be kept in a clean state
is supplemented by two new definite requirements:—
(а) Accumulations of dirt and refuse must be removed daily from floors and
benches of workrooms and from staircases and passages.
(b) The floor of every workroom must be cleaned at least once a week by washing,
or, if it is effective and suitable, by sweeping or other method.
The provisions as to cleaning or whitewashing walls and ceilings of rooms,
passages and staircases are made more precise.
Overcrowding.—The standard for the prevention of overcrowding is raised from
250 cubic feet to 400 cubic feet per person. This will apply in the case of workrooms
newly established after the date of the passing of the Act (30th July, 1937), and in
certain circumstances to existing workrooms. The latter will be excepted from the
application of the new standard for a period of five years from the above-mentioned
date, and if suitable mechanical ventilation is provided before the expiration of that
period will be excepted for a further period of five years. The new standard will,
however, apply in the following circumstances:—
(а) If the workroom passes out of the hands of the occupier or his successor in
the same business.
(b) If, during the first of the five-year periods, suitable mechanical ventilation
has been required to be provided and default has been made in complying
with this requirement.
(c) If such mechanical ventilation has been provided in pursuance of requirements
and ceases to be maintained.