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58
FACTORIES ACT, 1937
The enforcement of the provisions of the Factories Act is, in the main,
the responsibility of H.M. Inspector of Factories. The duties of district
councils are limited to dealing with the provisions relating to cleanliness,
overcrowding, temperature, drainage of floors and sanitary conveniences in the
case of non-power factories, and sanitary conveniences only in the case of
power factories district councils are also responsible for enforcing the
provisions of the Act relating to outwork.
There were 1,460 factories on the register at the end of the year, of
which 1,338 were power factories and 122 non-power factories. The number of
inspections made totalled 1,606 and action was necessary as follows:-
SECTION 1 (Cleanliness). Three notices were served under this section and
two were complied with.
SECTION 2 (Temperature). The one notice relating to unreasonable temperature
served under this section was complied with.
SECTION 6 (Drainage of floors). One notice was served under this section.
SECTION 7 (Sanitary conveniences). In 58 cases contraventions of the provisions
of this section were discovered. Legal proceedings were taken in one
case of failure to provide sufficient ventilation and intervening ventilated
spaces to the sanitary conveniences provided for the use of male and female
employees. The summons was withdrawn on the payment of costs, the necessary
work having been completed. Notices complied with totalled 59.
SECTION 54 (Basement Bakehouses). The fourth quinquennial survey of basement
bakehouses since the coming into operation of the Factories Act, 1937 was
undertaken during the year, and as a result notices that certificates of
suitability previously granted will continue to operate were issued in respect
of the following nine bakehouses:-
36 Chatsworth Road, E. 5. 200 Lower Clapton Road, E.5.
94 Chatsworth Road, E. 5. 33 Rectory Road, N. 16.
72 Dalston Lane, E.8. 18 Upper Clapton Road, E.5.
219 Glyn Road, E. 5. 186 Well Street, E. 9.
167 Homerton High Street, E. 9.
The certificate of suitability granted in respect of one bakehouse was
withdrawn, the bakehouse not having been used for a period of twelve months or
more, and in respect of a further bakehouse, notice was given that the certificate
of suitability would cease to operate after the expiration of twelve
months.
The number of inspections of these bakehouses totalled 58.
SECTION 114 (Posting of abstract of Act and notices). Five instances of
failure to exhibit in a factory a copy of the prescribed abstract of the
provisions of the Act were reported, and as required by Section 128 notifica
tions of the contraventions were sent to H.M. Inspector of Factories.
HOME WORK - OUTWORKERS. SECTION 110 (Lists of outworkers to be kept
in certain trades). The lists received in August showed there were 111 firms
in the borough employing outworkers, and the premises of 1,204 outworkers were
recorded in the department at the end of the year; 557 of these outworkers
were employed by firms from outside the borough. The district public health
inspectors who undertake the inspection of outworkers' premises visited 863
premises.