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109
contravention of this section is deemed not to be kept in conformity with the
Act, and the occupier then becomes liable to a fine not exceeeding ten pounds.
(sec. 81.)
Should the Inspector observe act or neglect in relation to sanitary matters
involving nuisance punishable or remediable under the law relating to public
health, but not under the Factory Act, it is his duty to give notice thereof to the
Sanitary Authority, which will then make enquiry and take such action as may
seem proper for the purpose of enforcing the law. The Inspector may for the
purposes of this section (4) take with him into the bakehouse a Medical Officer of
Health, or Inspector of Nuisances.
Cleanliness.—Sec. 33 makes provision for securing cleanliness by periodical
painting or varnishing, or whitewashing, of the bakehouse—walls, ceilings,
passages and staircases, and for cleansing of painted or varnished wood by
washing.
Sleeping Accommodation.—A place on the same level with the bakehouse may
not be used as a sleeping place if it be not effectually separated therefrom by a
partition extending from floor or ceiling, or if it has not an external glazed
window of at least nine superficial feet in area, of which at the least
superficial feet are made to open for ventilation (sec. 35.)
Employes.—As respects employes I need only mention that no "young person"
under 16 may be employed in a bakehouse excepting between the hours of 5 in the
morning and 9 at night, and with 7 hours at the least for rest; so that the actual
period of labour may not exceed 9 hours; and the occupier who contravenes the
section (15), becomes liable to heavy penalties (sec. 83.) Powers of entry are
given to the Inspectors (sec. 68.)
It may be mentioned that an Abstract of the provisions of the
Act, containing all necessary directions for the guidance of
employers and employed, has been prepared, and a copy thereof
furnished to the occupiers of bakehouses.
Factory Inspector's Report on Bakehouses.—Considerable
alarm and disgust were excited a short time since by press
comments on the unsavoury generalities of a report on Eastend
bakehouses by an Assistant Inspector, published in the
annual report of H.M. Chief Inspector of Factories and
Workshops.
It is stated in the report, which gives no details whatever, that about threefourths
of the total number of bakeries in the Inspector's District have been
inspected (presumably once only) since January, 1880, i.e., in 22 months, so
that it would take two years to complete a single inspection of all the bakehouses:
the Act has been in operation 2¾ years. The rules as to sleeping
accommodation are fairly obeyed; but of the ventilation and cleanliness of the
apartments the Inspector "cannot say much." Germans are "becoming the bakers
for London," and these "Germans, workman and master, neglect these rules which
we are called upon to enforce, for as the one is careless, so is the other."