London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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City of London 1902

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London, City of ]

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71
This general provision is supplemented in the case of workshops by a special requirement
introduced for the first time by the Act of 1901, that in every room in a workshop
sufficient means of ventilation must be provided and sufficient ventilation maintained, and
where a standard of sufficient ventilation has been prescribed by the Secretary of State
(as he has now power to do) for any class of workshops, that standard mu?t be observed.
Workshops, however, where men only are employed are excluded from the operation of
this requirement. Any workshop where this requirement is contravened may be dealt
with as a nuisance.
In workshops where dust, gas, or other impurities are generated and inhaled by the
workers to an injurious extent, the Factory Inspector has power to require the provision
of a fan or other mechanical means for preventing such inhalation. If in any case the
Council are of opinion that this power could be usefully employed, they should refer it to
the Inspector of the district.
(d) Drainage of floors (sec. 8).—A provision introduced for the first time by the Act of
1901, requires that in every workshop or part of a workshop in which any process is
carried on which renders the floor liable to be wet to such an extent that the wet is
capable of being removed by drainage, adequate means shall be provided for draining off
the wet. A workshop not so drained may be dealt with as a nuisance under sec. 91 of
the Public Health Act. This provision, however, does not apply to workshops in which
men only are employed.
(e) Sanitary accommodation.—In districts where Part III. of the Public Health Amendment
Act, 1890, is in force, every building used as a workshop or manufactory, or where
persons are employed or intended to be employed in any trade or business, must be
provided with sufficient and suitable accommodation in the way of sanitary conveniences
(sec. 22). On a report from their surveyor that this requirement is not observed in the
case of any building, the Council may serve a written notice on the owner or occupier
requiring him to make such alterations or additions as may be required for the purpose.
(iii.) Bakehouses. (Sees. 97-102.)
Bakehouses are either factories or workshops within the meaning or the Act according
as mechanical power is or is not used in aid of the processes carried on. They are,
therefore, subject to the general provisions of the Act; and the same powers will be
exercised by District Councils in regard to bakehouses that are exercised by them in
regard to factories and workshops.
A general power is also given to the Council in the case of any bakehouse which is in
such a state as to be, on sanitary grounds, unfit for use or occupation as a bakehouse, to
bring the case before a court of summary jurisdiction; and the Court may thereupon
impose a fine of 21. (if a first offence) or 51. (if a subsequent offence), and, either in
addition to or in lieu of imposing a fine, order means to be adopted for the purpose of
removing the ground of complaint.
In addition to the general regulations of the Act, special sanitary regulations for
bakehouses are contained in the Act. These regulations require that:—
(1) A bakehouse must not contain or communicate directly with a water closet,
privy or ashpit; a cistern supplying water to a bakehouse must be separate from
any cistern supplying water to a water closet; and a sewage pipe or drain must not
have any opening in the bakehouse. The penalty for any contravention is a fine
not exceeding 21. both on the occupier and on the person letting or suffering the