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rodent control according to the degree of infestation of its area, and in particular
pay special attention to effective rodent control in its sewers, refuse tips, refuse
destructor works, and its other public service properties, and areas of land which
provide a reservoir of infestation. The methods used for disinfestation should, broadly
speaking, comply with the recommendations prescribed by the Ministry of Agriculture,
Fisheries and Pood. A Regional Committee (Workable Area Committee) has been set up by
the Ministry to discuss problems connected with rodent control and the need for co-operation
between contiguous Authorities ir carrying out simultaneous disinfestation of
inter-connected sewers, land, etc. The Committee comprises some thirteen neighbouring
authorities in Metropolitan Essex. The Chairman of the Public Health Committee and the
Chief Public Health Inspector are the Councils representatives on this Committee,
which meets about three times a year.
The Departments permanent establishment of rodent operatives/handymen comprises
three employees.
The Laundry Service for the Incontinent, set up during the latter part of 1957 was
later found to require the services of one rodent operative/handyman working approximately
full time.
The duties carried out by the rodent operatives, apart from time required on
emergency measures, during 1960, were apportioned as follows:-
Two operatives were employed on -
(i) General duties in connection with rodent control, including block treatments
of the Dagenham Brook, Marsh Lane Tip, etc., and bi-annual sewer baiting;
(ii) Operation of smoke machine, and assisting Public Health Inspectors in
carrying out smoke tests of drainage systems suspected of being a source of rodent
infestation;
(iii) General handyman duties in and around the Health Offices and Stores
including maintenance and cleaning of equipment, smoke machine, pressure sprayers,
poison bait containers, etc.;
(iv) Operation of smoke machine, and assisting Public Health Inspector (Housing)
in carrying out smoke tests on drainage systems of properties included in Slum
Clearance areas. The drainage system of every house is tested as part of the
detailed survey;
(v) Supervision of the destruction at the Council's Destructor Works of foodstuffs
condemned by the Public Health Inspectorate.
One rodent operative was employed on -
(i) The Laundry Service for the Incontinent for approximately ninety per cent,
of the time comprised in a full working week (44 hours);
(ii) Disinfection following infectious disease and the disinfestation of
premises of vermin. The delivery by public transport of samples of food and drugs
to the Public Analyst, and other Laboratories, and duties in connection with
sampling - cleaning of equipment, utensils, jars, bottles, etc. approximately ten
per cent.
It is found from experience that the source of surface infestation in domestic
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