View report page

22
FACTORIES ACTS, 1937 and 1948
Visits paid to factories totalled 291 and in addition to verbal intimations
regarding small defects, six written notices were served and complied with.
These dealt mainly with insufficient and defective sanitary conveniences and want
of cleanliness.
Notices were received in respect of 35 Penge residents who were employed in
certain trades in their own homes, but working for occupiers of factories in other
districts. In no case was it found that work was being done in unwholesome
premises.
SMOKE ABATEMENT
During the year the plant at one factory was converted from coal burning
to oil burning. All other factories in the district burn smokeless solid fuel.
PREVENTION OF DAMAGE BY PESTS ACT, 1949
Complaints numbering 257 regarding rats and mice were received from all
parts of the district and investigated.
In several cases it was found that defective drains and sewers were
associated with rat infestations and the keeping of animals contributed to the
number of infestations. When considered necessary the drainage systems of
premises were tested with smoke and colour and any defects found made good.
As in previous years, the foulwater sewers were treated on two occasions,
prebait and poisoned bait being laid in the manholes and side entrances. In June
322 manholes and side entrances were baited and prebait takes recorded in 118.
The figures for the December treatment were 212 manholes baited and prebait
takes recorded in 162.
One full-time rodent operative is employed and the following is a summary
of the work carried out by him at premises in the district:—
Inspections and re-inspections made 2,568
Premises treated for rats 311
Premises where rat poison bait taken 221
Premises re-treated for rats 205
Estimated number of rats poisoned 702
Premises treated for mice 150
Premises re-treated for mice 86
It was necessary to treat some premises on three or more occasions and the
total treatments for the destruction of rodents numbered 879.
RAG FLOCK AND OTHER FILLING MATERIALS ACT, 1951
The object of the Act is to secure the use of clean filling materials in
upholstered articles and other articles which are stuffed or lined. Three premises
are registered in connection therewith.
Samples of materials used at each of the registered premises were obtained
and the prescribed Analyst under the Act reported the tests showed the samples
to be satisfactory and complied with the requirements of the regulations.