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being obliged to attach a brass notice requesting the casual passer-by not to
spit down one of the openings. Others attach movable trays beneath, but
this only partly obviates the evil.
Another difficulty met with is in respect to the provision of separate
sanitary conveniences for the use of both sexes, as required by the Act.
In some premises the basement and ground floors are used as an eating
house, where both sexes are employed, the upper part of the house being
let as offices, &c., and one water-closet only is provided for the use of all the
occupants. The women workers, therefore, frequently decline to avail themselves
of such improper accommodation, obviously to the prejudice of their
health and comfort.
Again, in a large number of cases the W.C. accommodation was in a very
defective condition, in 35 cases the W.C. either opened or communicated
directly with the kitchen, and in 9 others they were actually within the
kitchen itself without either light or ventilation.
Hoods have been fixed over gas stoves and led into flues for ventilation.
In 79 of the kitchens gas only was used in the process of cooking; and
where it is possible to use gas only it is advisable, and effectively assists in
dealing with the smoke problem.
In a number of cases the ovens, cooking utensils, and larders were found in a
dirty condition.
In one case it was found necessary to close the kitchen. The following
defects existed:—Floor of kitchen rotten, drains and soil-pipe defective, earth
under kitchen floor sodden with sewage, walls and ceiling dirty, sink in a very
dirty and offensive condition, kitchen badly lighted and ventilated, cistern
dirty, sink on third floor connected to soil pipe, no ventilation to W.C's, and
flushing cisterns defective, cooking utensils dirty.
As this inspection progresses, one is better able to estimate the great
advantages accruing therefrom to the health of customers using these places,
and still more to the workers, who are compelled to spend their time in
underground kitchens that are frequently found to be badly lighted,
ill-ventilated, and insanitary.
Summary of Sanitary Defects remedied in Kitchens
of Restaurants, &c., 1903.
Drains relaid or amended 31
Kitchens—
Walls and ceilings cleansed 169
Light and ventilation improved 57
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