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31
Industrial noise clearly has a health angle in that it is often
continuous and of varying intensities. Complaints have increased
concerning launderettes, particularly self-operated launderettes
which often operate until a late hour. Visits and observations by the
inspectors in connection with noise complaints are invariably made
either in the early morning, during the evening or late at night,
and necessitates a considerable amount of work outside normal
hours.
Investigations are often very protracted in trying to decide
whether the best practicable steps have been taken to reduce noise
at least to a tolerable level. In many cases an informal approach
by the public health inspector has been met by willing co-operation
on the part of the " offenders" but in three cases it was
necessary to serve notices to abate the nuisances.
Noise other than industrial noise, however, is difficult to deal
with, as it is often of an intermittent character. Similar difficulties
can arise when offences related to the sounding of chimes are
committed by ice-cream vendors, for it is unlikely that an inspector
will be on the spot at the time the offence is committed. The Act
provides for any three persons aggrieved by a noise nuisance to
initiate action by complaining to the local authority.
I must thank the Scientific Branch of the Greater London Council
for the assistance which they have given to the inspectors
during the past year in recording and making observations on
various noise nuisances.
Offices, Shops and Railway Premises Act, 1963
Over the last twelve months considerable improvement was made
in connection with visits under the above Act. The separate
section, comprising one public health inspector and two technical
assistants, which was formed in 1968 has proved its worth and
quite obviously this type of specialisation is the answer for the
future. The Offices, Shops and Railway Premises (Hoists and
Lifts) Regulations, 1968, came into operation in May, 1969, and
this has put additional responsibilities upon the staff and posed
new problems. The general provisions of the 1963 Act cover the
following matters —
Cleanliness.—Standards of cleanliness are still on the low side in
many premises but it must be remembered that many premises in
the Borough are thought to have a limited life which tends to make
occupiers reluctant to carry out decorations. There were very
few cases of gross dirt or filth.
Overcrowding.—As far as possible, firms are tending to employ
staff with the utmost economy and overcrowding is not at the
moment a great problem.