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There were no prosecutions under the Act during 1971.
Section 46 of the Act empowers the Council to grant exemption from the requirements relating to
room space for employees, temperature of rooms, provision of sanitary conveniences, and provision of running
water for washing facilities. No applications for exemption were received during the year.
On 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. Eight lifts were
reported to the Council where defects were found needing urgent attention. All were immediately made safe to
use.
Employers aer required to notify local authorities of accidents to employees which cause death or
cause disablement which prevents an employee for more than three days from doing his or her usual work.
There were no fatal accidents during the year. Thirty-eight non-fatal accidents were reported and investigated
and an analysis of their causation and the injuries sustained is shown in Table 35. In thirty cases no action
was necessary, and in the remaining eight cases informal advice was given to minimise risk.
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, 2 new licences were granted rnd 36 were renewed. All the applicants are suitable
persons to hold licences and their premiess were found to be satisfactory.
RODENT CONTROL
In addition to the treatment of rat infestations in private dwellings, the treatment of mice is now
undertaken free of charge. Mice are a particular problem in those areas of the Borough where the houses are
in multi-occupation and in addition to the treatment written instructions are given to occupiers detailing the
steps necessary to abate the infestation.
The Council does not at present undertake the treatment of infestations in business premises.
Nine hundred and twelve infestations of rats and 1,105 infestations of mice were treated.
Fifty notices under Section 4 of the Prevention of Damage by Pests Act, 1949 were served and in
4 cases food contaminated by mice was seized and condemned by a Justice of the Peace.
CONTROL OF WILD PIGEONS
Monthly treatments of 10 railway bridges where nuisance is caused were carried out by a contractor
under the supervision of the Rodent Officer. Five hundred and one pigeons were killed.
The treatment is to be extended to trapping in view of the increased number of complaints received
and the obvious increase in pigeon population.
UNCLEANLINESS AND SCABIES
(Table 36)
Treatment for scabies, lice and nits was provided at the Stonebridge Health Clinic until 18th October
when the Clinic was closed and all the services were transferred to the Craven Park Health Centre. Compared
with 1970, there was a decrease in the total number of cases treated for scabies (128 in 1970, 110 in 1971), the
decrease being among adults. There was a slight increase in the number of children aged 5-15 years treated
(51 in 1970, 64 in 1971). The number of cases treated for lice and nits increased from 80 in 1970 to 18.0
in 1971. the main increase being among children. The numbers treated, however, are still small bearing in
mind the school population is almost 43,000.
DISINFESTATION
The Public Health Inspectors inspect verminous premises and supervise the work of the disinfectors
employed by the Council (Section 83 of the Public Health Act, 1936) (Table 37).
The Council provide transport for clothing and bedding requiring disinfection and disinfestation
(Section 84 of the Public Health Act, 1936). The Council's employees disinfect and disinfest rooms and collect
and deliver the clothing and bedding.
The number of verminous premises treated remains very small when considered in relation to the
total number of premises in the Borough, and calls for no special comment.
Two hundred and forty five complaints were received regarding wasps and 167 nests were destroyed.
The remaining 78 nests were not accessible. Twenty four properties were dealt with concerning complaints of
squirrels in lofts etc. entailing 120 visits by the Rodent Control staff. The charges in accordance with the Council's
Scale were met.