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might easily exceed the amount demanded. A full Report was prepared
but it was not considered by the Public Health Committee until
early in 1947.
5. RAG FLOCK.
There are no large factories in the borough engaged in the
making of new bedding and upholstery, but there are several places
at which furniture is reupholstered and bedding is remade,
customers' own materials being used. In several of these workplaces
some Rag Flock also is used. Rag Flock is made by tearing
new or used rags, and because unclean rags and other materials are
sometimes used, The Rag Flock Acts of 1911 and 1928, and the regulations
of 1912 provide a standard of cleanliness for the finished
product.
It has been generally agreed that the prescribed standard
is not adequate as it refers only to the soluble chlorine fin the
form of chlorides) content, which must not exceed 30 parts in
100,000 parts of the flock.
The Ministry of Health, being aware of the adverse
criticism directed against existing legislation, appointed an
Inter- Departmental Committee in 1938, with terms of reference
which were wide enough to enable a thorough investigation to be
made of the subject. The Report of the Committee was published
by the Ministry of Health during 1946, and indicated, among other
things, that the objects of existing legislation have not been
achieved.
This decision did not come as a surprise to health
officers, as many materials, other than rag flock, are used
as fillings for bedding, furniture, cushions, toys and other
household articles, and there is no existing cleanliness standard
for these other fillings. Apart from the opinion of the
person who uses the articles, there is the matter of the wellbeing
of the worker , who has to handle the fillings in the
course of his labour. This is a very important aspect of the
subject.
It is gratifying to note the recommendations contained
in the report, but it will be even more heartening when new
legislation to give effect to new standards, is submitted to
Parliament.
It is but fair to state that the various trade interests
have for some years shown commendable interest in the matter
of improved standards, and they voluntarily approached The
British Standards Institution with a view to the preparation
and adoption of new specifications and tests of cleanliness
for all types of fillings including hair, fibres, kapoc, feathers,
rag flock (wool and cotton) etc., both new and second-hand. As
one of two representatives of the Sanitary Inspectors Association
I served on the technical and advisory Committees dealing with
this important work, which was not completed by the end of 1946.
There is every likelihood that when agreement is reached, the
new specifications and tests will be incorporated in future
legislation, after a period of preliminary trial.