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24
SECTION D.
FACTORIES, OUTWORKERS, SMOKE ABATEMENT,
SHOPS ACT, RODENT CONTROL AND VERMINOUS
CONDITIONS AND UNCLEANLINESS.
Factories, Workshops and Workplaces.
A wide variety of goods is manufactured in the urban district,
including machine tools, bearings, machine packings, paints,
mineral waters, electric blankets, painters' equipment, office
equipment, scientific and medical glass apparatus and instruments,
mirrors and glassware, valves, radio parts and paper. A
close liaison is kept with the factory inspector and there is
interchange of action especially where it falls within the province
of the Local Authority. Three hundred and fifty-seven visits
were made by the Sanitary Inspectors and in Appendix IV is a
copy of the return made to the Home Office of Inspections made
under the Factories Acts, 1937 and 1948.
Smoke Abatement.
No offences occurred during the year under review. Thirtytwo
inspections and observations were made for the emission of
harmful smoke or grit.
Shops Act.
During the year one hundred and twenty-three inspections
and observations of shops were made and seven Informal Notices
were served in connection with the Act. There are six hundred
and fifty-seven shops in the district.
As a result of action taken by the inspectors, additional
sanitary conveniences were provided in eleven shops. This
matter is difficult of application in view of existing conditions,
particularly as there is contined fluctuation in the number and
sex of staffs. It was necessary in one case to cause facilities to
be provided to ensure that a suitable and sufficient temperature
could be maintained. Proper washing facilities were provided
in fourteen shops. In two cases shopkeepers were required to
provide seats for female assistants.
No Closing Orders were made for shops in the district. The
days of Early Closing generally observed are:—
Wednesdays—Chislehurst and the Oval, Sidcup.
Thursdays—Remainder of the district.
It was found that twelve shopkeepers were not keeping,
exhibiting or providing the necessary Notices or Records and in
each case an appropriate letter was sent.