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premises. Section 49 of the Act came into force on 1st May, 1964, and required
employers in premises to which the Act applies to register their premises by the
31st July, 1964. In spite of considerable publicity given to these requirements in the
press and by official announcements on radio and television it was felt that the
response might still be inadequate. A preliminary survey of the Borough was therefore
carried out by the Public Health Inspectors in April and May. This survey provided
information as to the location of all premises in the Borough and for which the
Council was the enforcing authority. At the same time an explanatory letter and a
copy of the registration form (O.S.R.I) was left at each premises in order to encourage
early registration.
As a result of this survey, some 60 per cent of the forms delivered were completed
and returned by 1st August, 1964. A Technical Assistant was appointed in August
and his first duties were to visit those premises from which registration forms had
not been received. Almost half the number of premises which had not been registered
were found to be occupied by self-employed persons or were premises in which the
total number of hours worked weekly by part-time employees was less than 21, and
registration was therefore not required.
The general inspection of premises was commenced towards the end of August
and where contraventions were found letters were sent to those responsible for
complying with the requirements of the Act and of the various Regulations which
applied, giving details of action required to bring the premises up to standard.
In the latter part of the year during which the appropriate part of the Act was in
force, 17 accidents were reported. Fortunately most of these accidents were not
serious, but one concerned a 17-year-old youth working in a grocery store, who
severed the index finger of his right hand whilst cleaning the blade of a food slicing
machine. The Council decided to institute proceedings in this case and the hearing
is to take place early in 1965.
Co-operation with H.M. Inspector of Factories during the year ensured that a
proper assessment was made in all cases where the line of demarcation between the
responsibilities of the local authority and of the Factory Inspectorate was difficult
to define.
Only two firms applied for exemption certificates under the various Sections of
the Act. Of these, one applied for exemption from the provisions relating to temperature
but this was later withdrawn. The other firm applied for exemption from
the provisions relating to space, temperature, sanitary conveniences and running
water for washing purposes. The application in respect of temperature was refused by
the Council and the remaining applications were considered to be unnecessary. No
appeal was made.
Certain specified statistics, together with a more detailed report on the operation
of this Act in the Borough was submitted to the Minister of Labour at the end of
the year in accordance with the Annual Reports made under the Act. The statistical
details in this report are as follows:—
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