Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Lambeth, Metropolitan Borough of]
This page requires JavaScript
90
Premises wherein Food for Human Consumption is
Prepared.
Special attention was paid to the premises wherein food for
human consumption is prepared during 1914,in view of the extra work
carried out therein in connection with War Office and Admiralty
contracts. In one instance, a cautionary letter was sent, drawing
attention to the unsatisfactory way in which the work was conducted,
general uncleanliness and untidiness, mixing of mince
meat by hand instead of by machinery, allowing refuse matters
to accumulate in the various rooms instead of having it removed,
or burnt forthwith, etc. The excuse offered by the firm was the
disorganisation of Staff through enlistment, the consequent use of
temporary employees. The decorative work was ordered to be
done immediately after Christmas, it having been put oft from
the Autumn owing to extra pressure of work on account of the
War, in connection with Government contracts.
Alleged Insanitary Condition of New Parcels Office and
Mess-Room at Waterloo Station.
During 1914, a complaint was received from the National
Unionof Railwaymen respecting the alleged unhealthyand insanitary
position of the Parcels Offices and Mess-Room at Waterloo Station,
newly-constructed in the archways under the Station, it being
alleged that the dampness of the walls and floors of the Parcels
Offices and the consequent impure air caused an excessive amount
of sickness amongst the employees, more especially in the form of
rheumatism and carbuncles and that the mess-room was so placed
as to be a danger to health, being approached through a lamp
room and motor garage and being near to and directly overlooking
the men's W.C's. and urinal.
The premises were visited, and a letter was written to the
Railway Company, which decided to have the following works
carried out:—
(a) Mess-room to be thoroughly washed down and
tempered, the lighting arrangements altered and
improved means of ventilation by means of a skylight
provided;
(b) Lighting of both the Up and Down Parcels Offices to be
improved.
The dampness of the walls of the Parcels offices was due to
condensation water and the new building materials of which the
offices were constructed.