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which can be taken to deal with them is to operate the nuisance provisions of the Public Health
Act, 1936. Such procedure can only deal with the grosser type of problem and certainly cannot
bring the premises to a standard such as is required in offices. Some of the classes of workers
not covered are teachers, nurses and road transport workers (depots).
OFFICES, SHOPS AND RAILWAY PREMISES ACT, 1963
This Act makes provision for securing the health, safety and welfare of persons employed
in offices and shops, etc., and requires the occupier of such premises, where persons are employed,
to notify this fact to the enforcing authority. There are 2,927 such premises registered in Hillingdon
employing 30,914 persons. 4,179 visits were made to these premises during 1970, investigating
conditions and checking if work required had been carried out. The various matters required by
the Offices, Shops and Railway Premises Act, are as follows:
Cleanliness: All premises, furniture, furnishings and fittings to be kept in a clean state;
no dirt or refuse to be allowed to accumulate; and floors and steps to be kept clean by washing
at least once a week. The cleanliness at 108 premises was improved.
Overcrowding: Persons shall not be required to work in conditions that are so overcrowded
as to cause risk of injury to health and notwithstanding this provision each person habitually
employed shall be provided with at least 40 sq. ft. floor space or 400 cu. ft. Overcrowding was
abated at 6 premises by re-distribution of staff and in one case plans for the extension of the
building have been approved.
Temperature: Effective provisions for securing and maintaining a reasonable temperature
are required; after the first hour a temperature of less than 16°C is not considered reasonable.
It is also necessary to display conspicuously a thermometer capable of indicating the temperature
of the rooms, on each floor where personnel are employed. The heating was improved and/or
thermometers provided at 27 premises during the year. Legal proceedings were taken in respect
of one firm's failure to provide adequate heating and a fine of £20 was imposed.
Ventilation: Effective and suitable means for securing and maintaining adequate supplies
of fresh air must be provided; ventilation was improved at 8 premises.
Lighting: Suitable and sufficient means for securing and maintaining lighting either natural
or artificial must be provided. The standard of lighting is checked by use of a light meter. The
lighting was improved at 17 premises.
Sanitary Conveniences: Adequate sanitary accommodation, separate for the sexes,
must be provided for persons employed and where the number of female staff exceeds ten suitable
and effective means for the disposal of sanitary dressings must be provided and maintained. In 35
premises the sanitary conveniences were improved. Where it is considered appropriate, attempts
are made to persuade occupiers to provide facilities for the use of customers and, in the cafe type
shops, where the legal authority to require such accommodation does exist under the Public
Health Act, provision is required at new premises, or at premises at which structural alterations
are being carried out.
Washing facilities: Suitable and sufficient washing facilities including a supply of clean
running hot and cold water and in addition soap, clean towels or other means of cleaning or
drying must be provided in a conveniently accessible position to persons employed to work in
premises. The place or room where these facilities are provided must be kept clean and in an
orderly condition. These facilities were improved at 23 premises.
Supply of drinking water: Employees must be provided with an adequate supply of
wholesome drinking water. If the supply of drinking water is not from a jet then a suitable drinking
vessel must be provided, with, unless they are of the disposable type, facilities for cleaning the
vessels.
Because of the easy access to the water supply and drainage there has always been a tendency
for drinking water points to be provided in the sanitary accommodation. This exposes the drinking
water to risk of airborne contamination, arising from the use of water closets. For this reason at all
new premises the occupiers are requested to provide the drinking water point entirely separate
from the sanitary accommodation or any annexe to the sanitary accommodation. The introduction
of cooled drinking water dispensers sited in the working areas is becoming more common. The
drinking water supply was improved at 1 premise.
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