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† It will be noted that, with one exception, the number of defects remedied exceeds the number found.
This is due to the fact that many of the defects found towards the end of 1951 were not remedied
until 1952.
A significant fact is the increasing number of complaints received by the Department in respect of
factories. There is ample evidence to show that this is not associated with any worsening of conditions
(indeed, the reverse is the case) but rather to a wider knowledge and a greater appreciation of the public
health aspect of industrial welfare. Reviewing the work over the past three years it is apparent that
factory workers will no longer tolerate the unsatisfactory conditions of earlier days.
It will be noted from the statistics that three-quarters of the defective conditions found in factories
relate to sanitary conveniences, and it has been necessary continually to urge occupiers to maintain their
conveniences in a cleanly condition. Another aspect of sanitary accommodation is that many
old-fashioned houses in the Borough have been acquired by factory owners and the water-closets in
the majority of these premises are situated in front or rear areas and are so well ventilated as to be a
serious danger to health when used in inclement weather. Too often the eaves are open and to allow
for natural lighting and ventilation there is a considerable open space above and below the door.
It would almost seem that only the fixing of a maximum as well as a minimum standard of permanent
ventilation will meet these cases. The standard of one water-closet for every 25 employees has been
found to be inadequate, especially where the only washing facilities are situated within the closet
apartment. Frequently also the only available draw-off tap for drinking water is contained within
the water-closet and apart from restricting accessibility to the tap, this is an unhygienic arrangement
which, moreover, encourages the use of the water-closet and lobby as a place for preparing tea and
storing utensils. In the past factory managements have had difficulty in obtaining cleaning staff and
employees have been reluctant to do this type of work. Contractors specialising in the cleaning of
factories and other premises are now being extensively employed to deal with this important aspect
of factory maintenance and a general improvement has resulted.
The year has shown a greater number of complaints from residents of nuisances from fumes,
vibration and noise emanating from factories. The increase is believed to be due, not to any growing
disregard by factory occupiers for their neighbours, but to the unwillingness of residents, with their
increasing awareness of the town planning and nuisance-prevention powers of local authorities, to
accept any longer conditions that tend to rob them of the comfort and quiet enjoyment of their homes.
Nevertheless, without the thoughtful consideration and co-operation of the factory occupier and
reasonable tolerance by the complainants it is often difficult to bring about a satisfactory solution
in cases where it is doubtful if legal action would succeed. Two instances of co-operation on the part
of factory owners may be mentioned : A manufacturing optician caused nuisance by using naptha
as a solvent for removing pitch from lenses, the fumes escaping into the small ventilating shaft of a
block of flats. When arrangements were made for this process to be carried out in a small booth and
the fumes extracted and dispersed at a safe position, the cause for complaint was removed. This is a
case where extractor plant installed to remove fumes and exhaust from inside a factory may serve
its purpose admirably but often to the discomfort of nearby residents. In the other case the occupiers
of a large printing works had installed an electrically-driven generator near the base of a party wall