London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Haringey 1972

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Haringey]

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Outworkers
Employers of outworkers in certain specified trades are required to make half-yearly returns showing the home
addresses of such workers and the class of work upon which they are engaged so that any necessary steps can be
taken to prevent work being undertaken in unwholesome premises, or to stop the spread of infectious disease.

The following is a summary of outworkers employed in the Borough according to the 1972 summer returns: —

TradesNo. employed
Wearing Apparel233
Curtain and furniture hangings92
Handbags1
Sacks
Umbrellas10
Artificial flowers12
Cardboard boxes19
Brushes5
Button carding
Christmas Crackers30
Manufacture of brass objects
Weaving of any textiles1
TOTAL403

Radioactive Substances Act 1960
During the year, the Council received from the Department of the Environment, details of Certificates issued
under Section 1 of the above act in respect of three premises.
These premises were visited by one of the Senior Public Health Inspectors, in order that the department may
continue to be kept informed of the levels and uses of radioactive materials within the Borough.
It is interesting to record that these materials are used in many ways, some uses being purely experimental and
others of very practical application. An example of the latter is in the use of radioactive materials, in minute
quantities, which form the basis of fire detectors. These can detect the presence of smoke and, in consequence,
set off fire alarm systems within the buildings and operate relays so that doors, normally required to be left
open in the course of business, can be closed automatically to prevent the spread of a fire; whilst at the same time
leaving a safe exit route for those persons left within the building.
Student Public Health Inspectors
Until 1972 the Department had an establishment of eight student public health inspectors, with two pupils on
each year of the four-year course. In order to secure a greater output of qualified inspectors and to assist in
relieving the acute shortage of staff the Council has decided to increase the number of pupils so that there is an
intake of three each year. Three were recruited for the start of the course in 1972. They attend the Education
Board Diploma day-release course at the Tottenham Technical College.
The in-service training is directly supervised by an Assistant Principal Public Health Inspector who has steadily
expanded and developed their programme of practical work, to ensure that, when qualified, the officer will have
a very full experience of the best methods of dealing with the problems he is likely to meet with as a public
health inspector.
Two students completed their training during the year and passed their final examination for the Public Health
Inspector's Diploma. It is pleasing to record that the education standard of applicants for appointment is
steadily improving.
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