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64
Investigation into the cause of accidents has proved interesting.
Iron steps to a boiler house in a new office block were
found to be railed on one side only. A serious accident was
sustained by an employee falling off the unrailed side. Persons
slipping on passage floors and staircases have sustained serious
accidents even where the surfaces have been of non-slip construction,
usually of terrazzo, although some surfaces, stated
to be non-slip- leave much to be desired in this respect.
Accidents due to falling on restaurant and canteen floors upon
which liquids have been accidently deposited on so-called nonslip
floors have also been reported. A total of 113 accidents to
employees in offices and shops were reported, and investigations
into the causes were made in all cases. In a number of
these, recommendations were submitted with the object of preventing
a recurrence.
Insufficient attention has been given to some office staircases
where there is too much blending of colour of staircases
and wall surfaces. Edges of treads could often better be indicated
by inserted material of prominent and different colour than
the remainder of the staircase, and non-slip tiles inserted in
treads.
Inspections of staircases used as means of escape from fire
have revealed obstructions and deposits, and too little attention
at times has been given to storage of refuse bins, their adequacy
and for the disposal of their contents.
The comfort of receptionists at office entrances has sometimes
been overlooked. In some offices of normally good standard
amenities, the receptionist has suffered discomfort through
draughts and insufficient heating. A number of these complaints
have been remedied by screening or resiting the heating apparatus.
During the month of November, two members of the Specialist
Staff carried out a survey of shops and offices in order to
present a report, which had been specially requested by the
Ministry of Labour, on the standard of natural and artificial
lighting found in this type of premises. A similar survey has
been carried out throughout the whole country and will form the
basis on which a National Standard will eventually become operative
in prospective Regulations.
As regards action in cases of default, three cases were
referred to the Town Clerk.