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It was the general experience that explanations by the public health inspectors of
the purpose and requirements of the regulations were countered by arguments that the
regulations were impracticable and unnecessary. The principal points of contention were
that there is insufficient space on a stall for water supply and washing facilities,
screening the stalls would ruin the display and displaying the name and address of the
stall holder would invite burglaries at home.
Further visits by the inspectors exercising pressure and warning of legal enforcement,
followed by letters detailing contraventions produced protests of victimisation and
complaints of inspectors' officious conduct. And yet, when interviewed at the office,
many stall holders agreed that inspectors had been both patient and tolerant.
Not until well into the year when enforcement action in the courts was intensified
was any material advance made.
Many stallholders are now fitting insulated hot water units holding two gallons of
hot water, and capable of retaining water at a reasonable temperature for washing purposes
for at least six hours. A specimen of one of these units has been tested in the department
and is considered quite serviceable for its purpose.
Screening of stalls takes a variety of forms, and it may be said that there is a
tendency towards improvement, slow though it may be, but too many stallholders by far
are using flimsy plastic sheetings with very doubtful durability, giving the impression
that it has been provided more to appease than conform.
Offices and Shops
A considerable amount of work has been done for the purpose of preventing accidents
in offices and shops, particularly in connection with the proper guarding of machinery.
It is not uncommon, however, for occupiers to express resentment at complying with
the regulations where considerable expense is involved, particularly when,probably by
very good fortune, they have accident free records.
For example, many of the older types of food slicers used in shops and wholesalers
premises are not designed to receive safety guards and it has become necessary to require
the provision of new machines.
Experience in the administration of the Offices, Shops and Railway Premises Act 1963
leads to the belief that many accidents occurring in offices and shops are not reported
to the local authority, as required by the statute. It has, therefore, been decided to
stimulate notification and interest in this subject by local action in the form of a
special explanatory circular devoted to this particular matter.
Staff
The position regarding technical staff has remained almost numerically static.
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