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48
The Offices, Shops and Railway Premises Act, 1963
This Act received the Royal Assent on 31st July, 1963. Provisions
relating to registration of premises come into operation on 1st May, 1964,
but the majority of the provisions operate from 1st August, 1964. In
certain instances statutory regulations to be made by the Government
will come into force during 1965.
The Act contains provisions for securing the health, safety and
welfare of persons employed in offices, shops and railway premises.
The duty of enforcing the Act has been placed on local authorities in
regard to the majority of the provisions, on fire authorities (in London
the London County Council) in relation to fire precautions and upon H.M.
Inspector of Factories in respect of the remaining provisions. In certain
types of premises, such as Crown Properties, Fire and Police, Education,
and premises occupied by local authorities, the provisions will be dealt
with by the Factory Inspector.
The Council's duties under the Act have been referred to the Public
Health Committee and in January, 1963 the establishment of the Public
Health Department was increased by four posts of public health inspector
to help undertake inspections necessitated by this Act. It was possible
to recruit some of these additional inspectors during 1963 and, pending
the coming into operation of the Act, they were engaged on house-tohouse
inspections under the housing survey already in operation. Subsequently,
in December, 1963, the establishment of the Department was
further increased by one post of shorthand-typist to assist the inspectors
with their work.
The Act contains the following general requirements for dealing with
conditions in offices, shops and railway premises:—
Cleanliness
Overcrowding
Temperature
Ventilation
Lighting
Sanitary conveniences
Washing facilities
Drinking water
Accommodation for clothing
Seating arrangements
Seats for sedentary workers
Eating facilities
Floors, passages and stairs