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16
Factories.—The survey of factories in the Borough, commenced late in 1949, was completed during
the year by the sanitary inspector who specialises in this work, with the part-time assistance of one
of the women sanitary inspectors. In the course of these inspections several points emerged which
are considered worthy of mention. It became apparent, for example, that there was room for much
improvement in the general cleanliness of factory premises, the bulk of which are used by the clothing
trade. In all too many instances, owing to lack of proper containers, waste and refuse were piled
under the cutting tables and large numbers of empty milk bottles left to accumulate in rear yards
and under stairs. In many cases there were either no floor coverings at all or they were so badly worn
as to render cleansing difficult. Buildings occupied by several firms-even when controlled by
managing agents-frequently revealed little or no cleansing of the water-closets, staircase, landings
and passages, whereas in premises occupied by one firm reasonable standards were generally maintained.
With the continued restriction of building work many factories were still without adequate washing
facilities. There is no general requirement in the Factories Act for the provision of hot water as part
of washing facilities, and it is considered that the time has arrived when such facilities should not
be classed as "adequate and suitable" without the provision of hot water. Deficient ventilation,
particularly in furriers premises, was attributable in some cases to electrical burglar alarm systems,
where the apparatus or cabling was fixed in such a way that windows could only be partly opened
or not at all. The heating of workrooms was usually maintained well above the statutory limit and
there was an increasing appreciation of the modern and safer designs in gas and electrical heating units.
It is gratifying to be able to report a close liaison between the Public Health Department and
the district office of the Factory Department of the Ministry of Labour and National Service. This
has led to the ready exchange of information on various aspects of factory supervision, and not least
that affecting the constantly changing register of factories, which has enabled more accurate records
to be available in both offices.
As required by section 128 of the Factories Act, 1937, a report on the administration by the Borough
Council of the matters under Parts I and VIII of the Act is given in Tables 8 and 9.