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34
OUTWORKERS AND HOMEWORKERS
In February and August of each year, factory owners send to the local authority lists of names and
addresses of all persons who have worked at home for them during the previous six months on certain jobs.
One hundred and forty-two were employed during the year, the largest number (102) altering and making
clothing. Public Health Inspectors inspected these workers' homes, which were all found to be satisfactory
(Table 43).
NOISE NUISANCE
Public Health Inspectors made 1,036 visits (including 20 at night) under the Noise Abatement Act
1960 and the Public Health Act 1963, in connection with 152 complaints of alleged nuisance caused by noise
or vibration from factory processes, launderettes, compressors, noisy animals, commercial deliveries, ice cream
vendors and parties.
The details are as follows:—
No. of complaints investigated and nuisance corroborated 152
No. of complaints where nuisance abated after service of Notice 1
No. of complaints where nuisance abated by informal action 151
RAG FLOCK AND OTHER FILLING MATERIALS ACT, 1951
The Rag Flock and Other Filling Materials Act, 1951 and Regulations of 1961 specify standards
of quality and cleanliness for certain filling materials which are used in the manufacture of upholstered articles.
Premises in which such materials are manufactured must be registered with the Council, and premises which
are used for storage of such materials only must be licensed by the Council.
Premises where the business of upholstering, stuffing or lining of bedding, toys and baby carriages
is carried on must be registered. The Act does not cover the re-making of an article and consequently the
standards of quality and cleanliness do not apply to articles being repaired.
Samples are normally taken during the course of each year to ensure that the standard of materials
used comply, in all respects, with the requirements of the Regulations, but because of a dispute relating to the
fees payable, it was not possible to submit samples for analysis for the period under review.
OFFICES, SHOPS AND RAILWAY PREMISES ACT 1963
The Act came into force on the 1st August, 1964 and with certain exceptions applies to retail shops,
offices, wholesale premises, warehouses, catering establishments, canteens, fuel storage depots, and certain
railway premises. The exceptions are premises used by self employed persons, premises in which immediate
relatives are employed and other premises where not more than 21 man hours weekly are normally worked.
The number of premises registered during the year together with the number of persons employed
is shown in Table 44.
Public Health Inspectors are principally responsible for enforcing the general provisions of the Act
in offices, food shops, wholesale premises, warehouses, catering establishments open to the public, and factory
canteens. The remainder of premises are inspected by the Shops Inspectors. The total number of general
inspections made by the Public Health Inspectors is shown in Table 45.
No prosecutions were instituted by the Council during 1970.
Section 46 of the Act empowers the Council to grant exemption in respect of the requirements relating
to room space for employees, temperature, provisions of sanitary conveniences and the provision of running
water for washing facilities. No applications for exemption were made during the year.
On the 28th May, 1969 regulations came into operation imposing requirements as to the construction,
maintenance and examination of hoists and lifts in all premises to which the Act applies. Twenty-four
lifts were reported to the Council where defects were found needing urgent attention. All 24 were immediately
made safe to use.
Employers are required to notify to local authorities accidents to employees which cause the death
of an injured person or disables him for more than 3 days thus preventing him from doing his usual work.
There were no fatal accidents, but 61 non fatal accidents were notified and an analysis of their causation
and injuries sustained is shown in Table 47. Forty-four of the accidents were investigated but no prosecutions
were instituted. Twenty-three received informal advice and no action was necessary in the remaining cases.
ESTABLISHMENTS FOR MASSAGE AND SPECIAL TREATMENT
The registration of establishments for massage and special treatment is a function of the Borough
Council under Part XII of the Middlesex County Council Act, 1944.
During the year, 3 new licences were granted and 41 were renewed. All the applicants are suitable
persons to hold licences and their premises were found to be satisfactory.
RODENT CONTROL
During the year, complaints were received of nuisance from squirrels in gardens, etc. It is not
generally recognised that these rodents, if encouraged by feeding, may, with the advent of cold weather, obtain
access to roof spaces, where they can cause serious damage by gnawing roof timbers, electric cables and water
pipes. As the squirrel population appears to be on the increase, it was decided to implement a service to help