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95
"7. This order may be referred to as the Sanitary Accommodation
"Order of 4th February, 1903.
"A. AKERS DOUGLAS,
"One of His Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State.
"Home Office, Whitehall,
"4th February, 1903."
It is important to note that although the "Order" does not apply to the
Administrative County of London (in which the City is included), nor to any
place where Sec. 22 of the Public Health Amendment Act, 1890, is in force,
it will certainly be the standard generally adopted throughout the country.
On the recommendation of your Medical Officer of Health it has been
accepted by the Sanitary Committee as governing the provision of sufficient
and suitable accommodation under Secs. 37 and 38 of the Public Health
(London) Act, 1891, in the way of sanitary conveniences for both sexes in all
premises where persons are employed or in attendance.
"SANITARY ACCOMMODATION IN OFFICES.
"The obligation to provide such accommodation is brought to the
"notice of occupiers of factories and workshops by the terms of the
"prescribed Abstract of the Factory Act, which they are required to
"affix at the entrance of every factory or workshop, in such position as
"to be easily read by the persons employed.
"In workplaces, however, the obligation imposed by Section 38,
"Public Health (London) Act, 1891, is generally disregarded, and
"there is grave reason to believe that this is especially the case in
"such workplaces as offices where women are employed as typewriters,
"clerks, &c. The number of girls so employed in the City in constantly
"increasing, and it is not too much to say that in the very large
"majority of these offices there is no sanitary' accommodation provided
"for the women employed. The injury to health caused by the absence
"of such necessary provision is incalculable. Complaints from the girls
"themselves are almost unknown, they naturally shrink from the idea of
"the discussion of such matters with their employers, and are, moreover,
"imbued with the erroneous and very widespread idea that sanitary
"legislation is only concerned with the welfare of the 'factory worker.'
"A. J. S."
A systematic visitation of these offices is now in progress with a view to
ascertaining what provision (if any) is made to carry out the requirements of
Section 38, Public Health (London) Act, 1891.