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75
Workshops.—The cleanliness and general conditions of the
workshops are on the whole good, but the ventilation is frequently
unsatisfactory. The Factory and Workshops Act provides that 250
cubic feet of air-space shall be allowed for each worker, and in
workshops where overtime is allowed or where the room is used for
sleeping purposes, 400 cubic feet is the minimum requirement.
Dressmakers in particular employ the full number allowed, and during
the year overcrowding was discovered, but was abated after a warning
notice had been served. It is difficult to prevail upon the occupiers of
workrooms to keep them adequately ventilated however good the
means of ventilation at their disposal may be. The occupation, as a
rule, being sedentary the least draught is noticed immediately, with
the result that, except at midsummer, the windows are kept shut while
the rooms are in use. Twenty-seven dressmakers' workrooms have
been discontinued during the year. In many cases work has been
given up altogether, but some of the workshops have been removed to
different premises, usually outside Willesden.
Outworkers.—The outworkers' premises were found to be, as a
rule, very well kept. In six cases cleansing notices were served, and
were in all cases complied with without delay. A large number of
outworkers have given up work during the year, and many take in
work for only short periods.
One case of infectious disease occurred in the home of an
outworker.
BAKEHOUSES.
All the bakehouses were visited several times during the year.
The principal defect discovered was the need for more frequent
cleansing. The number found to be in satisfactory condition was 38.
One case of gross negligence came under observation—preserved
plums and cherries found stored in w.c. chamber, the closet pan of
which was full of fceces and filth.
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