View report page

113
Ventilation. Every effort is made to ensure that the best
method of ventilation suited to the premises is employed either by
natural or mechanical means. Recommendations by the department
were accepted and where shop fronts were constructed or renewed,
emphasis was laid on the provision of ventilation louvres or fans.
As stated above, it is important to approach the shop fitters at
an early stage where proposals are made for new shop fronts, to
ensure the provision of adequate ventilation.
In ladies. hairdressing establishments, heat and steam emission
from hair driers, rinsing processes, hair washes and heaters cause
the atmosphere to be heavy and oppressive. Condensation on the
windows and walls is a sign of lack of extract facilities, Discussions
with the management have invariably produced the necessary
equipment to improve ventilation,,
Washing Facilities. There is a reluctance in the smaller shops
to provide running hot water, but it has been possible to convince the
owners of the need to comply with the requirements of the Regulations.
Eating Facilities, Most of the large offices and shops have
arranged a rest room or separate accommodation where the staff may
eat food and be away from the public and their work place in periods
of relaxation,,
Floors, passages and stairs. Particular attention was paid to
defective floors and floor coverings, worn step nosings and stair
treads, inadequate lighting and lack of handrails,, Attention was
also given to the unguarded openings in floors leading to cellars and
suitable action was taken in each case to provide adequate fencing to
such openings.
First Aid. Offices and shops with staff of 150 in number have
separate rooms for the care of sick employees during the hours of work.
Unfortunately employees do not appear to wish to qualify in first aid
and accordingly the large establishments possess the necessary
facilities but they have difficulty on occasions in recruiting
suitably qualified first aiders. The notices served were in the main
concerned with the absence or insufficiency of first aid equipment.
Abstract of the Act, 219 notices were served. The reason
invariably given was the difficulty experienced by employers in obtaining
the document. The department despatched particulars with each
notice advising where the Abstract could be purchased.