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49
HAIRDRESSING ESTABLISHMENTS
Legislation calls for the registration of hairdressers' and barbers'
premises. During the year 279 inspections were made of registered premises
to check that the Byelaws in force were being observed. Generally little
cause for complaint was found. 13 new Registration Certificates were issued.
CONSUMER PROTECTION ACTS. 1961 & 1971
The provisions of the Heating Appliances (Fireguards) Act, 1952 and
Regulations made thereunder were incorporated in the Consumer Protection
Act, 1961, which empowers the Secretary of State to make Regulations in
respect of any goods which he may prescribe, imposing such requirements
as he may think expedient, to prevent or reduce risk of death or personal
injury. The following Regulations are in operation and shops trading in the
articles concerned are visited to ensure that the Regulations are complied
with:-
The Children's Nightdresses Regulations, 1964 require all nightdresses
coming within the scope of the Regulations to be made of a fabric which
conforms to the low flammability requirements of a British Standard.
The Nightdresses (Safety) Regulations, 1967 also impose conditions on
the sale of nightdresses which are described as being of low flammability.
The Stands for Carry-Cots (Safety) Regulations, 1966 prescribe certain
safety features which must be incorporated in the construction of such
stands. During the year two stands which did not comply with the Regulations
were surrendered by a retailer and subsequently destroyed.
The Oil Heaters Regulations, 1962 and 1966 impose requirements as to
the construction, design and performance of domestic oil space heaters.
Modern oil heaters generally comply with the Regulations but older type
heaters are sometimes offered for sale in second-hand shops and at jumble
sales and during the year nine unsatisfactory heaters found on retailers'
premises were surrendered and destroyed. Heaters which are "suspect" are
submitted to the British Standards Institute for examination and testing and
one heater examined by the Institute during the year was found to be
satisfactory.
The Electrical Appliances (Colour Code) Regulations, 1969 specify the
colours to be used in electric cables designed for domestic use in order to
conform with the international colour code already in force in the Common
Market countries.
The Electric Blankets (Safety) Regulations, 1971 will come into operation
on 1st January, 1972 and will require that all electric blankets comply with
the technical and constructional requirements of a British Standard Specification
and that warnings as to their correct and safe use be given on the container
or package when the article is offered for sale.