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79
The Council's sewers were baited in June, 1953. The treatment was of
four to five weeks' duration, involving some 1,265 manholes, each of which
was baited on three successive days. The staff required for a sewer treatment
comprises four employees of the Borough Engineer's Department (two
sewermen and two labourers) and two rodent operatives. Two gangs,
with a rodent operative in charge of each, proceed in different parts of the
district.
During these periods the remaining rodent operative endeavours to
deal with complaints and other essential duties in the Public Health Department.
The December treatment had to be postponed owing to shortage of
rodent staff.
Rodent Control Staff and Work.
(i) Before October, 1953.
Prior to October, 1953 there were three rodent operatives engaged fulltime
on rodent control work, and the methods they used for disinfestation
were those prescribed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.
The operatives work in close liaison with the Sanitary Inspectors in the
investigation of complaints and the location of sources of rat infestation.
They also assist the inspectors in carrying out smoke tests when drains and
sewers are suspect, and follow up this procedure with pre-baiting and
poison-baiting treatment as appropriate. Groups of premises, in which
there is a common infestation, are disinfested as one unit—block control.
No charge is made to occupiers of domestic property, but occupiers of
business premises are charged on a labour and material basis. Regular
visits are made to Council properties.
The rodent operatives were at that time designated as temporary
employees, and their salary grading was the same as it is now, viz., the Local
Authorities' agreed rate for a normal (44-hour) working week.
At that time work of disinfection following infectious disease, and
disinfestation of premises of vermin, etc., was carried out by a casual driver
hired from the Council's motor pool, at a rate of 9s. 6d. per hour, under the
control of the Borough Engineer and Surveyor. A similar arrangement
existed for the conveyance of samples (taken by the Sanitary Inspectors
under the Food and Drugs Act and Regulations) to the various laboratories,
and for the collection and transportation of infected bedding and unsound
food for disinfection and/or destruction.
In July, 1953 I outlined in a report to the Public Health Committee the
disadvantages inherent in that arrangement, and after the recommendation
of the Public Health Committee had been considered by the Establishment
Committee the Council—Minute 1051, September, 1953.
RESOLVED: "That in the circumstances now reported two
posts of rodent operative/handyman be added to the Council's permanent
establishment and that for the time being a third rodent
operative/handyman be engaged in a temporary capacity, the matter to be
reviewed in March, 1954".