View report page

14
is now under consideration, and will probably lead to a communication with
the Metropolitan Board on the subject.
Nuisance arising from the Discharging of Hot Water containing
Sulphuric Acid into the Sewers from the Refinery Premises
in Royal Mint Street.
A complaint having been made at the office of the Sanitary Department
respecting the escape of an irritating and offensive vapour from the
ventilating shafts of the sewers in the neighbourhood of Royal Mint-street,
inquiries were instituted, when it was ascertained that a large tank which
had contained sulphuric acid had been recently cleansed with hot water,
and discharged into the drains which communicate with the sewer, and
which was the cause of the nuisance complained of. The matter was
reported to the Board, and the Clerk was directed to write to the Manager
of the Works in question, directing his attention to the danger likely to
arise to the public health from such a proceeding.
I may here state that I have on several occasions brought the subject
of the danger arising from the discharging of hot water into the sewers
under the notice of your Board (see my Reports for January, 1858, page 9,
and January, 1864, page 9), but I find that I have made no record of the
accident which occurred on Friday, the 2nd of August, 1872, to two men
in your employ, by the blowing off of-the steam from a boiler on the premises
of the late Sir Anthony Rothschild into the sewer in Royal Mint-street
during the time the men were engaged in cleansing the sewer. This case
was investigated by Mr. Iron, the Surveyor, and reported by him to
your Board.
It appears from Mr. Iron's report, that, at the time of the escape of
steam into the sewer, there were three men therein, who were engaged in
cleansing the same. One of the men fortunately escaped without
injury, another received a severe shock to the system, and the third man,
named Oxley, was so severely scalded as to necessitate his immediate
removal to the London Hospital.
On the 14th of the November following Mr. Iron again reported as
follows:—
"With reference to the accident which occurred in Royal Mint-street
in August last, I beg to report that the man most injured is not at
present able to resume work, and that another of the men injured, although
at work, I believe to be still suffering from the shock."