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137
OFFICES, SHOPS AND RAILWAY PREMISES ACT, 1963
The object of this Act is to raise the standard of working
conditions in shops, offices and railway premises. In the majority
of the premises affected the Local Authority is responsible for
enforcing the general requirements which relate to cleanliness, overcrowding,
temperature, ventilation, lighting, sanitary conveniences,
washing facilities, drinking water, seats, safety of machinery and
first-aid and for investigating the cause of accidents.
As in previous years inspections have had to be somewhat
restricted owing to shortage of staff. It was, however, possible to
make 943 detailed inspections, the total number of visits for all
purposes being 1,554.
360 contraventions were found, these being mostly of a minor
character. The most common types of contraventions found were
the failure to provide thermometers to register room temperatures
and first-aid equipment with inadequate or defective washing
facilities and inadequate ventilation running a close second.
With few exceptions employers have shown a readiness to
comply with the requirements of the Act and in no case was it
necessary to resort to legal action.
Accidents reported numbered 69, fifteen of which were investigated
because it seemed likely that advice could be given to the
employer to prevent a recurrence of a similar accident.
For the most part the injuries were of a minor character but
in one case, involving a service lift in a restaurant kitchen, an
employee sustained a badly cut forehead and nose. The lift shaft
opening was not fitted with gates having an interlocking device
to ensure that the lift could not be operated whilst the gates were
open but the Company rectified this matter immediately. At the
time there was no direct contravention of the Act but special legislation
is being introduced next year to meet these circumstances by
way of a Statutory Instrument.