Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Harrow]
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cleanliness and sterilization of the utensils are complied with.
The visits to cinemas and places of amusement are directed more
particularly to the sanitary arrangements of the hall, especially
their cleanliness and adequacy. Most of these are modern buildings
so little trouble is experienced, nor were any complaints received
regarding ventilation.
SMOKE ABATEMENT.
During the year 22 observations were carried out. During
the 369 minutes' observation, dense smoke was seen for 16½ minutes
and moderate smoke for 211½ minutes.
FACTORY ACT.
In this district there are 379 factories with mechanical power,
132 without mechanical power and 159 work places. The numbers
of visits paid to these three classes of premises were 459, 229
and 162. In regard to mechanical factories the chief function
of the local sanitary authority is in regard to sanitary accommodation,
supervision of most other matters of sanitary significance
being exercised by the factory inspector. The sanitary authority
has greater responsibility in regard to non-mechanical factories
and work places as in these their duties include the supervision of
cleanliness, ventilation, overcrowding, heating and sanitary accommodation.
Of the 52 public health nuisances detected, 18 were due to
want of cleanliness and one to defective heating. The sanitary
accommodation was unsatisfactory in 28 instances, being unsuitable
or defective in 22, unclean in five, and insufficient in one.
Five other nuisances were noted. Interchange of information
between the factory inspectors and sanitary inspectors is provided
for. Under these arrangements notices were received from the
factory inspector in six instances relating to want of cleanliness
and in one to absence of sanitary accommodation.
Notices were received of 154 outworkers' residences in this
area. To these premises 180 visits were paid, attention being
paid particularly to the avoidance of such nuisances as overcrowding,
want of cleanliness, insufficient ventilation and inadequate
heating.
SHOPS ACTS.
939 visits were paid to shops and 29 evening observations
made, a very considerable reduction in the volume of this type
of work as compared with previous years.
43 contraventions of the Acts were recorded, these being
classified as employment of young persons in excess of 48 hours
per week, 35; assistants employed after 1.30 p.m. on early closing
day, 3; the serving of customers after closing hours, 2; shops
not closed on weekly half-holiday, 2; failure to keep records of
hours worked by young persons, 1.