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Four firms were prosecuted during the year on the following
matters: —
Convictions were obtained on 3 firms with fines and
costs totalling £102.50.
Failure to notify an accident
Exposure of young persons to danger in cleaning machinery
The act also requires that, where an accident to a person
occurs on premises to which the act relates and renders
them unable to carry out their duties for 3 days or more, a
report must be submitted by the occupiers of the premises
to the local authority. An analysis of the 66 accidents
reported (none of which were fatal) is as follows: —

There are several large warehouses within the borough in
which mechanical handling of goods is involved. This
accounts for the high number of accidents in such premises.
There was however a decrease of 10 in the total number of
accidents reported during the year compared with 1970.
The Department of Employment issued further circulars
on the implementation of the Act which included "Safety
on the stacking of Materials" and "Seating arrangements for
workers in Offices and Shops".
Noise Abatement Act 1960
Noise, which may be described as unwanted sound, is a
most subjective problem. Virtually every person has a
different level of acceptance and without a legal "yardstick"
it is difficult to decide what level constitutes a statutory
noise nuisance. In the mixed areas of Hounslow where
housing is intermingled with commercial properties it is
virtually impossible to set an acceptable standard. Noise
level meters are used to endeavour to assess the noise
objectively but these have a limited value when aircraft or
heavy road traffic periodically obliterates all other noises.
During the year 88 complaints were received about
noise which related to 55 noise sources, analysed as
follows:—
Noisy neighbours 18
Vehicle repairs 9
Commercial premises 9
Industrial premises 8
Pneumatic drills etc. 3
Model aircraft 1
Aircraft 5
Animals 2
Of these, 33 were confirmed as a nuisance, 19 were
abated and 14 are still under observation.
It is interesting to note that the commonest complaint
referred to noisy neighbours who were either playing the
radio or musical instruments etc. with complete disregard of
their communal responsibilities.
The legislation allows a defence where noise is caused in
respect of a trade or business and the best practical means
have been used for its prevention or diminuition. This
position is usually reached with an informal approach but
rarely can the noise be completely removed.
Aircraft noise
During the year the department received 9 complaints
concerning noise from aircraft. This figure is extremely
low and cannot reflect the nuisance and inconvenience
suffered by the people living under the various approach
and take-off flight paths. It can only be concluded that
the residents of the borough are sceptical as to any
reductions in noise being achieved.
There are action committees operating in the London
area on this subject and all persons should be aware that
public opinion can make itself felt in these matters.
Housing Acts 1957 - 1969
New houses
64
I am advised by the borough architect and borough engineer
and surveyor of the following figures which relate to new
dwellings constructed within the borough during 1971.