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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, catering establishments, canteens, fuel storage depots, and certain railway premises.
The exceptions are premises used by self-employed persons, premises in which only near relatives are employed,
and other premises where not more than 21 man hours weekly are normally worked.
The number of premises newly registered during the year, the total number of registered premises at
the end of the year, and the number of persons employed are shown in Table 26.
Public Health Inspectors are principally responsible for enforcing the general provisions of the Act in
offices, food shops, catering establishments open to the public, canteens, wholesale premises and warehouses.
Other premises are inspected by the Shops Inspectors. The total number of general inspections and visits of all
kinds are shown in Table 41 in appendix.
There were no prosecutions under the Act during 1972.
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. Seven lifts were
reported to the Council where defects were found needing urgent attention. All were made safe to use.
Employers are 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-seven non-fatal accidents were reported and investigated
and an analysis of their causation and the injuries sustained is shown in Table 42 in appendix. In twentyeight
cases no action was necessary, in five cases formal warning was given and in the remaining four cases
informal advice was given to minimise risk.
OFFICES. SHOPS AND RAILWAY PREMISES ACT. 1963