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53
SANITARY CONVENIENCES IN WORKSHOPS.
On the 14th June, a Notice was received from the Home Office Inspector
that a workshop where three women were employed was without separate
closet accommodation.
The workshop was visited by your Medical Officer, and Notice served in
accordance with the Act.
The owner dismissed the only actual woman worker, but questioned the
right to compel the provision of accommodation for the two other women, who
were not constantly employed upon the premises, being mainly engaged in
collecting accounts, &c.
This was reported to the Home Office Inspector, who relying upon the case
of Bennet v. Harding, contended that separate accommodation should still be
provided. [In the case alluded to, it was held that stables with a stable-yard
were "a workplace'' within the meaning of section 38 of the Public Health
(London) Act, 1891, and that the cab drivers were "in attendance" there
although they were there as customers, and that sanitary conveniences must be
provided for them.] The owner stated that he had endeavoured to arrange
this with his landlord, but failed. He also offered to pay his clerk and
collector the expense of using a public lavatory, otherwise he would have
been compelled to dismiss them both in order to comply with the law.
This is an instance of how the law, if pressed, would have absolutely defeated
its own purpose, and I therefore submitted the facts for the consideration of the
Sanitary Committee. Personally I was of opinion that the owner's position
was a hard one, and that his offer should be accepted, and the Home Office
notified accordingly, and this view was confirmed, on consideration of the facts.
Another case of a similar character occurred in the same sanitary district.
In this instance, the landlords, a large Railway Company, declined to spend
the money for the necessary alterations on the ground that the cost would be
prohibitive, and the tenants were reluctantly compelled to discharge two
female employés.
BAKEHOUSES.
The Bakehouses, which are workshops under the Factory Acts, have been
duly inspected and found generally to be in fair condition as regards
cleanliness, &c.
A more detailed examination is now needed, as after January, 1904, no
underground Bakehouse will be permitted to be used as such unless a certificate
of fitness is first obtained from the Corporation, in accordance with the Factory
and Workshop Act, 1901.
Of the 41 Bakehouses existing, 34 are situated underground, that is to say,
the floor is more than 3 feet below the surface of the ground adjacent.
(See diagram.)
Possibly additions may have to be made to the list of Bakehouses, as the
Act includes the manufacture of biscuits, confectionery, &c., as well as bread.