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4. Sanitary Conveniences.
The feature of this section was the number of requests to use accommodation away
from the shop or office. Distances ranged from 20—50 yards— in one case over a
windswept sportsground— and employees were outspoken in their dissatisfaction with
these conditions.
This lack of on-site accommodation has generally arisen from the conversion or
dividing up of a larger building without regard to this matter. These ill-considered
conversions also give rise to obstructions of the route to the accommodation, such as
exhaust pipes of laundrettes at 4ft. 9in. high across the route, erected in such a way as
to make it necessary for the employee to bend down to pass.
5. Washing facilities.
Some objections were raised on the ground of cost of hot water installation.
6. Seating.
A complaint was that the standard type design of the seating provided in a supermarket
"check-out" caused discomfort to the backs of the assistants. This was found
to be due to the unusual design of the "check-out" compartment which involved the
assistant in a turning movement which caused discomfort.
7. Floors.
Frequent cases of worn and defective floor covering were found but the question
as to whether defective floor covering could be included in the definition of "sound
construction" or "free from obstruction" was not taken to the stage where the Court
could give a ruling. Nevertheless the renewal of defective floor covering is being
enforced.
8. Hand Rails.
These have been given special attention and it was of interest that one old
employee stated he had not realized what a difference the hand rail to the basement
made and how it would be missed if removed.
9. Lifting.
A small number of injuries (four cases) have occurred. These have been due to
a bad technique in lifting rather than the weight being above the lifter's capacity.
10. Accidents.
Mainly caused by falls (fourteen cases) due to slipping. Proper steps for reaching
high racks have been requested and provided, but accidents have occurred due to the
use of improvised steps made of boxes, etc., and to over-reaching. Specific regulations
requiring the provision of proper steps would help.
There were again accidents from Gravity Feed Machines, due to holding the meat
with the hand while the machine was operating. This matter is dealt with below, and
such accidents should not occur if the proper machine is used.
11. Prescribed Dangerous Machines.
There are still a number of Gravity Feed Machines in use which cannot be
guarded and the owners have been requested to remove them and supply a, properly
guarded machine. One of the latest listed Gravity Feed Machines which was supplied
in place of an unlisted and outmoded one has proved satisfactory in gripping and
slicing sausages such as Salami (providing the sausage is cut into two halves) and there
is no longer any need for an employee to hold the sausage.
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