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Milk and Dairies (table 44)
Milk sales are regulated by the Food and Drugs Act, 1955, the Milk and Daries Regulations, 19491954,
the Milk (Special Designation) (Pasteurised and Sterilised Milk) Regulations, 1949-1953, and the Milk
(Special Designation) (Raw Milk) Regulations, 1949-1954. Willesden has been a specified area since October,
1951: all milk sold by retail is sterilised, pasteurised, or tuberculin tested ; the sale of raw milk is prohibited.
On 1st October, 1954, the provisions of paragraph 7 of the Second Schedule to the Milk (Special
Designation) (Pasteurised and Sterilised Milk) Regulations, 1949, came into force. This restricts the bottling
of milk to the three premises in the borough where the milk is pasteurised.
31 inspections were made of the three dairies and some minor defects were found. These were
soon remedied.
FACTORIES
There was a decrease in the total number of factories in the borough compared with the previous
year (table 45).
The Council supervise sanitary conveniences in all factories, and in addition, cleanliness, overcrowding,
temperature, ventilation and drainage of floors in non-power factories. Details of inspections,
defects found and action taken, are given in table 46.
Most notices were served for minor defects only and were complied with without legal action.
Basement bakehouses
The local authority is responsible for the supervision of basement bakehouses under section 54 of
the Factories Act, 1937. A basement bakehouse is defined as a bakehouse, any baking room of which is so
situated that the surface of the floor is more than three feet below the surface of the footway of the adjoining
street or of the ground adjoining or nearest to the room : a baking room is defined as any room used for
baking or for the process incidental thereto.
There are eight basement bakehouses in Willesden. They have been regularly inspected and are
satisfactory.
Outworkers and homeworkers
In February and August of each year, factory owners send to the local authority lists of names and
addresses of all persons who work at home for them on certain jobs, together with those who have worked
for them during the previous six months.
Inspections of these workers' homes were made by the Public Health Inspectors and notices were
served in respect of any found to be unsatisfactory (table 47).
NOISE NUISANCE
The Borough Council deal with noise nuisances under section 313 of the Middlesex County Council
Act, 1944.
Fourteen complaints were received, but only six could be considered as coming under this section.
Four were of noise from electric motors of various kinds and they were all diminished in volume after consultations
with the managements.
The other two complaints were about the noise made because of factories working early morning
and late evening. The managements agreed to stop working at these times.
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE
The Council introduced an occupational health service for their employees in April, 1954.
Public Health Inspectors visited all offices and workplaces during the year to supervise working
conditions, particularly canteens, rest rooms, cloakrooms and first-aid equipment. Defects such as poor
ventilation or lighting, defective water closet accommodation, dirty walls and ceilings, and inadequate firstaid
equipment, were brought to the notice of the Chief Officer concerned.
Suggestions were made for major improvements such as the cure of dampness, improvement of
ventilation in the vehicle spraying room and water closet compartments, provision of messing facilities,
installation of additional water closet accommodation, and alterations to boiler plant.
First-aid boxes have been provided at selected sites, and their contents (including a first-aid leaflet
(Form 923) issued by the Factory Department) are based on the requirements of the Factories Act. Chief
Officers nominate suitably qualified persons to be in charge of first-aid. Notices with names and addresses
of the nearest medical practitioners and hospital are placed in a prominent position, so that in an emergency,
cases can be referred without delay.
Employees who have been regularly absent from work on account of sickness are referred by chief
officers to the Medical Officer of Health. Employees suffering from disability or chronic illness may apply
direct to the Medical Officer of Health : eight were referred by chief officers.