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APPENDIX U.
6th December, 1938
Public Health Act, 1936, Section 343.
Circular 1600.
Memorandum by the Medical Officer of Health.
The preliminary survey of the district has revealed that there are about 400 offices in Willesden,
250 of which are in connection with factories and the remainder in connection with Municipal Offices,
Banks and premises occupied by Solicitors, Surveyors and Estate Agents. The size of these offices
varies considerably—from an office for 1 or 2 persons to various offices in different parts of one concern
employing a staff of 193 clerks.
Sanitary Accommodation.—In the majority of cases the sanitary accommodation is suitable
and sufficient and where both sexes are employed separate accommodation is provided.
In some instances there is only one watercloset for the use of the employer and one or two
female clerks, but it is not unreasonable to consider one w.c. sufficient where not more than four
persons of mixed sexes are employed and where the watercloset compartment is provided with adequate
fastenings to ensure privacy.
Ventilation.—Some 12 premises were found to be without sufficient ventilation. These are
mostly private offices divided off from a main office and so are without external ventilation. Informal
action will be taken to remedy this condition, but should this be ineffective the premises will be
reported to the Health Committee for the service of Statutory Notices as may be required.
Cleanliness.—With the exception of one office which badly needs redecorating, the survey has
not revealed any offices in an unclean condition.
Obnoxious effluvia.—With two exceptions there was no nuisance from effluvia.
One office was found where odours from a process (cellulose spraying) was being carried out
and the odours entered the office. A new office with external light and ventilation has been constructed
and the old office is now used as a store. At another works the fumes from acids used in cleansing
metals previous to the process of chromium plating penetrated into the office. Steps are being taken
to seal off the adjacent windows and make a new window on an external wall.
Overcrowding.—-The Public Health Act does not lay down any standard for overcrowding.
In these circumstances the standard laid down by the Factories Act, 1937 (Section 2 (2) and (3)), has
been taken as a guide.
Until 30th July, 1942, 250 cubic feet per person is to be accepted; from 30th July, 1942, to
30th July, 1947, 250 cubic feet per person where suitable mechanical ventilation is provided and
maintained or 400 cubic feet per person where no suitable mechanical ventilation is provided, will be
the standards.
The majority of the offices inspected have not been measured as the amount of free air space
even on the 400 cubic feet basis was obvious.
A number of offices which appeared to be overcrowded were measured, but all proved to have
400 cubic feet per person with the exception of one office where the cubic capacity was 265 cubic feet
per person.
GEORGE F. BUCHAN,
Medical Officer of Health.