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Originally, the passing of the Factories Act, 1901, divided factories and
workshops by definition. This separation, repeated in amended form by the 1937
Act has meant that by the increase in motive power many more premises are now
equipped with mechanical devices and are, therefore, supervised by the Factory
Inspectors. Nowadays, the Factory Inspector has to deal with premises which
originally were classed as workshops where a small drill or sewing machine has
been installed and is electrically operated. The Factory Inspector is therefore
responsible for the cleanliness, overcrowding, temperature, ventilation and drainage
in addition to any safety measures necessary. At.the same time the Sanitary Inspector
might be dealing with those items in larger businesses where no mechanical power is
employed.
In the opinion of many leading sanitarians it is a waste of manpower to allow
a Sanitary Inspector to deal with sanitary accommodation and not allow him to deal
with washing facilities - if there is mechanical power used in the factory.
Mechanical power, once the exception, is now the rule and the time is opportune for
a review of the functions of both H.M.Factory Inspectors and Sanitary Inspectors in
respect of this work.
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