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11
Workshops and Workplaces.—Several defects may be observed in connection with these
premises and the first is the doubt which exists as regards what actually is a "workplace."
A most important necessity in workshop legislation is a clear definition of "workplace."
It is unnecessary to enumerate the different trades in respect of which doubt exists, perhaps
the most important, as affecting this Corporation, is that as to whether an office in which
people are employed in clerical work only is actually a "workplace," within the meaning of
the Factory Acts. A second difficulty is that which has resulted from the increased employment
of women. Where a building is occupied by several firms there exist arrangements
as to the use of the conveniences among the different tenants, some of whom use these conveniences
in common, and a distinct upset arises when one of these firms introduce women
employees. It may be that the conveniences available are sufficient in number so long as
male employees only are engaged, but the introduction of one or two women means, that either a
new convenience must be established, or one of the existing conveniences must be detached
for women's use after being properly screened. This results often in shortage and, as all
available space has been taken up the question of provision becomes acute. The spirit of
sweet reasonableness is becoming more in evidence as an increasing number of firms engage
women but the questions of adequate provision, and suitability of location, still present
difficulty. In some instances the conveniences have to be arranged in one of the workrooms
and the following sketch (Sketch Plan I.) indicates how this is generally accomplished. The
roof of the W.C. is made of wired glass, which has the advantage of rendering dust accumulation
evident, and enables better oversight to be maintained in respect of the top of
the convenience than is practicable with a horizontal roof of an opaque material.
sketch plan i.