View report page

41
This is because of the rebuilding and regular maintenance programme
of the G.P.O. and its successor, the Post Office Corporation.
Observations on various aspects of the work during the year.
Cleanliness
In too many cases the work of cleaning is carried out by the staff
at any odd interval, and naturally when they are hard pressed in
other directions cleaning work suffers. There is need for more
cleaners in many premises.
T emperature
It is probably true to say that most employees find inadequate
heating to be their greatest cause for complaint. Very few shops in
the borough now try to keep the doors open in cold weather and
the few who still seem to think this practice favours trade are, in
the main, furniture dealers. These furniture traders have in certain
cases had to provide extra heating appliances. It seems doubtful
if customers appreciate the open door policy once they are in the
shop.
Lighting
Improvements continued in this respect during the year.
Sanitary conveniences and washing facilities
During the year, numerous premises were provided with running
hot water for washing, and additional sanitary accommodation was
provided in some cases. Many repairs and much redecoration
were carried out. Without regular visits, standards deteriorate
quite quickly in respect of this type of accommodation.
Floor, passages and stairs
There are still many old stairs leading to lower ground floors
and basements, and the most common defects are loose and split
treads of the steps and loose handrails and balustrades.
Hoists and Lifts Regulations
The Offices, Shops and Railway Premises (Hoists and Lifts
Regulations), 1968, and the Offices, Shops and Railway Premises
(Hoists and Lifts) Reports Order, 1968, were in force during the
whole of the year under review. Action has been taken to require
enclosures and gates and, where necessary, interlock mechanisms.
No occupier was unwilling to make improvements. Since there is
no general register, as under the Factories Act, it is sometimes
difficult to locate the reports of examinations and often this involves
correspondence with more than one individual or company. It
would enable an enforcing Authority to keep a quicker check on