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ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
CLEAN AIR
1972 has been a year of substantial progress in the field of environmental health.
The delay caused by the cut in the clean air programme in 1971 was overcome and indeed
overtaken, with the result that six districts were created Smoke Control Areas in place of the
usual three. These encompassed 5,505 acres and brought a further 18,534 premises under
control, thus substantially passing the half way point in the effort to make the Borough 100%
smoke free. The improved condition of the atmosphere is apparent to all.
HOUSING
In the housing field the Department has played a significant part in launching the
new concept of General Improvement Areas, in which an effort to provide essential amenities
(bath, internal w.c., hot water supply etc.) to all dwellings in a designated area is co-ordinated
with a plan to improve the environmental appearance by tree planting and other visually
imaginative features. Several areas in the Borough were considered, and it was decided that
a part of Penge should be the first to receive treatment, This became the Penge East General
Improvement Area.
After inspection of the houses, mostly in multiple occupation, comprising the
Palace Square/Palace Road Area of Penge, the Council decided that it was beyond improvement
and a decision was taken later to redevelop, involving purchase and demolition of all
properties. Additionally, the largest Clearance Area so far identified in the Borough, consisting
of old and decrepit cottage-type properties in Waldo Road, Bromley, was surveyed and
represented. All families living in these dwellings will be rehoused by the Council and the
future use of the land will have to be decided upon.
PLACES WHERE PEOPLE WORK
The Offices Shops & Railway Premises Act 1963 has opened up a new dimension
in the multifarious duties of the Public Health Inspector. There are 2,743 such premises in the
Borough, already registered under the Act. The object is to promote and ensure the welfare,
health and safety of the very many persons who are employed in retail and wholesale shops,
catering establishments, canteens, warehouses, etc.
The welfare sections stipulate minimum space required for employees, scale of
washing and sanitary accommodation, provision and adequacy of heating, lighting, ventilating,
etc.
Little is known by the public of the role of the inspector in ensuring the safety of
persons working in these premises. This work includes the guarding of office machinery, bacon
slicing apparatus and other mechanical aids which are now installed in many establishments.
All accidents occurring must be reported by the occupier.
Accidents reported followed the usual pattern, falls constituting the largest group
reported and the handling of goods the second largest. Strains, cuts and bruises were again
the most common injuries sustained. There were no fatal injuries.
This concise comment on the 'accident pattern' for the year does nothing to reveal
the considerable time spent by the inspectorate in investigating the cause of accidents. Every
effort is made to probe all notified accidents, however trivial they seem to be, even where it
is obvious from the notification that the cause is due neither to a contravention nor to negligence
on the part of the employer. It is felt that a prompt and sympathetic investigation will
encourage employers to notify all future accidents when they realise that the primary reason
for the investigation is to establish the cause of the accident and not merely to assess blame.
Local Authorities are required to make quarterly reports on notified accidents to
the Department of Employment, indicating by code numbers the type of premises, the cause of
accident, and the type and site of the injury. These reports when collated enable the Department
to view the situation nationally and are sometimes of use in indicating the need for
remedial legislation. Liaison is obtained through a nominated Deputy Superintending H.M.
Factory Inspector.
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