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Section 8.—Where water habitually accumulates on the floor of a factory or
workshop, drainage is to be provided to carry off such water. In a
workshop the want of such drainage (or, rather, the accumulation of
water) is to be a "nuisance" remediable under the P. H. L. A., and
presumably a "workplace" can be similarly dealt with under the
nuisance section.
Section 9 deals with the provision of sufficient sanitary conveniences in
factories and workshops. In the Metropolis this is provided by Section 38
of the P. H. L. A. The Secretary of State is authorized to fix the
standard of closet accommodation required. "Workplaces" are not
included in the F. & W. A., they are included in the P. H. L. A.
[Section 157 of the F. & W. A. exempts "men's workshops" - i.e., workshops
where women, young persons, and children are not employed—from the
provisions relating to "temperature, thermometers, means of ventilation,
drainage of floors, sanitary conveniences" but ventilation and the
provision of sanitary conveniences can be dealt with under the P. H. L. A.,
Sections 2 and 38.]
(II) Safety (Secs. 10—18).
Section 18.— (1) A court of summary jurisdiction may, on complaint by a
factory inspector, and on being satisfied that any place used as a factory
or workshop, or as part of a factory or workshop, is in such a condition
that any manufacturing process or handicraft carried on therein cannot be
so carried on without danger to health, or to life or limb, by order, prohibit
the use of that place for the purpose of that process or handicraft, until
such works have been executed as are in the opinion of the court necessary
to remove the danger. (2) Provided that proceedings shall not be taken
under this section in cases where proceedings might be taken by or at the
instance of any district council under the provision of the law relating to
public health, unless the factory inspector is authorised, under Section 4.
Part II. Employment (Secs. 23—67).
Section 61 prohibits the occupier of a factory or workshop from "knowingly"
allowing a woman to be employed in or on his premises within one month
after her confinement.
Section 62 prohibits the employment of children under the age of twelve years.
The district council has no power, except- by complaint to the factory
inspector, to take any action when it becomes aware of an infringement
of Sections 61 or 62.
Part IV. Dangerous and Unhealthy Industries (Secs. 73—86).
Section 73.—Medical practitioners attending any patients suffering from
lead, phosphorus, arsenical, or mercurial poisoning, or anthrax "contracted
in any factory or workshop," are required to notify such cases to
the Chief Inspector of Factories. The occupier of the factory or workshop
is to report every such case to the factory inspector and certifying surgeon
for the district where the factory or workshop is situated. The Secretary
of State may by Special Order add other diseases to the list for notification.
The Chief Inspector of Factories will probably send notifications to medical
officers of health.