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15
It will be seen from the above statement that there are
at present on the Register 1,318 workrooms. These represent
681 businesses, of which 31 are laundries and the remainder
principally dressmaking, millinery, and tailoring businesses, with
a few miscellaneous trades.
During the year I have paid 460 first visits and 1,662 visits
of re-inspection to workshops and laundry workshops. I have
also paid about 300 calls on miscellaneous business (leaving
workroom cards, making enquiries, etc.). In the course of these
visits I found several workshops which had not previously been
visited by any Inspector. The cubic measurement of each new
workshop has been taken, and ventilation and sanitary conditions
investigated before placing on the Register. In measuring
the larger workrooms, I have had the help of Mr. Phillips,
whom I would take this opportunity of thanking for the ready
assistance he has always rendered me, both in this part of the
work and in some of my initial difficulties. I have served 124
written intimations of nuisances and three statutory notices
for the abatement of nuisances. Workroom cards showing the
number of persons permitted in each room have been distributed.
Each new workshop where women or girls are employed has
been duly notified to H.M. Inspector of Factories, as required
by the Factories and Workshop Act of 1891.
WORKS CARRIED ON UNDER SUPERVISION.
(a) Cleansing, Limewashing, etc.— 144 rooms found to be
dirty have been cleansed. In many cases (particularly in
laundries) staircases, passages, yards, etc., leading to or adjoining
workplaces have been cleansed.
(b) Sanitary Conveniences.— Further accommodation was
required and has been provided in 20 workplaces. In three
others new waterclosets have been substituted for old and insanitary
ones, while 18 waterclosets found to be defective in
water-supply were renovated. In many cases it has been necessary
to draw the attention of the employers to the general dirty
state of the waterclosets and lavatories.
(c) Ventilation, Lighting, and Heating.— Improvement
in ventilation has been effected in 12 workrooms; three have
been discontinued as unsuitable; 10 gas stoves used for heating
irons have been removed from the workrooms or provided with
means for carrying off the fumes generated. In three wash-