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41
Accidents
During the past year, few serious accidents were reported, but
too much importance cannot be attributed to one year's figures
because there is a very narrow dividing line between a serious
accident and a relatively minor one. There is obviously a need for
occupiers and their staff to think about how accidents may be
prevented and it might well be that a member of the staff at each
registered premises could be a designated Safety Officer for that
particular place.
Cleanliness and tidiness
In some premises the parts of the premises exposed to the
public view are kept in an immaculate state, whereas out of the way
parts, accessible only to the staff, are often drab and untidy, and
whilst lighting is not inadequate in a legal sense, the overall impression
is flat and dull. It must, of course, be pointed out that some
of the better known supermarkets and chain stores have the same
high standard in every part, whether accessible to the public or not.
and it is most obvious that in premises such as these, where the
welfare of the staff is looked after in every aspect, there is a happy
atmosphere and the business always prospers.
Warehouses
It would be an advantage to staff if all warehouses could either
come within the jurisdiction of the Offices, Shops and Railway
Premises Act or the Factories Act and not remain outside the
scope of any health, safety and welfare legislation. Working conditions
in warehouses generally compare unfavourably with those
in offices and shops. Some warehouses are dark and, in consequence,
have permanent artificial lighting; the building may be
lofty and doors often have to be left wide open or only partly
closed, making the inside either very windswept or draughty and,
most certainly, uncomfortable.
Fork lift trucks
Fork lift trucks are now being used in warehouses in increasing
numbers and it has been the practice of the Council's inspectors
to enquire as to what arrangements occupiers make for training
drivers and to ascertain if existing operators are competent. Training
courses for operators should be encouraged wherever possible.
During the past year, the enforcement of the Act in this borough
has proceeded in a methodical and purposeful manner and considerable
improvement has again occurred in a wide variety of
premises during 1971. The following table shows the classification
and number of premises registered at the end of 1971, the number
of persons employed and the number of inspections and other
visits made during the year:—