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53
In order to prevent as far as possible contraventions of the Act arising,
planning applications and plans referring to new and existing buildings are
received from the Borough Engineer for perusal and recommendation in so
far as the requirements of the Act under review are concerned.
During the year, 517 plans relating to offices and shops have been received
and examined. This has resulted in correspondence with architects,
builders and ventilating and heating engineers, conferences at office or on
site, and during construction, before the buildings have been occupied. Although
a good deal of time is taken up on this aspect of the work, and little
can be recorded as far as inspections are concerned, it is hoped that
as a result the premises will be found to comply with the main provisions
of the Act when inspections are made in due course.
Furthermore, architects and others are made aware of the existence of
the Act and enquiries are regularly received seeking advice.
Several complaints of overcrowding of offices were received and steps
were taken to enforce compliance.
One Certificate of Exemption under Section 46(l)(a) and Section 5(2)
(Minimum Space Standard) respecting an office was granted for a period of
six months, which Certificate will expire on 6th June 1968.
All accidents notified have been investigated.
It has been of some concern that the details of the accident, reported
in paragraph 4 of Form OSR 2 by the occupier have been, in a number of
cases, quite incorrect. If the accident had not been investigated, a different
coding would have been made on the quarterly return (OSR 11) which
would have given a false impression of the nature of the accident.
Interviews with injured persons, preferably in their own homes, have
proved most valuable and thrown a different light on the accident and
have sometimes revealed persistent neglect on the part of the employer to
remedy a long standing defect. Formal warnings have been sent in such
cases. Recommendations to adopt measures to avoid a recurrence of the
accident have been made and generally adopted and co-operation on the
part of employers has proved helpful.
Accidents due to failure to use equipment provided to facilitate easiness
of working or in an attempt to save time continue.
A man loading a box of tiles weighing 54 lbs. on to a motor van suffered
strain and sprain which kept him off duty for nine days. A portable
loading conveyor was provided which he did not use.
An electrician was fitting cables above his head for providing power
to a refrigerator. He stood on a box which he found nearby; the box collapsed
and he was absent for several days suffering from bruising. The
proper equipment was supplied by his employers but he did not use it.
Accidents continue through lack of foresight.