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58
FACTORIES, SHOPS AND OFFICES
The Factories Act, 1961, consolidates the Factories Acts, 1937 to 1959
which it repeals, and came into operation on 1st April, 1961. Responsibility
for the enforcement of the provisions of this Act devolves in the main upon
H.M. Inspector of Factories Local authorities have only limited responsibilities,
the provisions enforced by them being in the case of non-power
factories those relating to cleanliness (Section 1), overcrowding (Section 2),
temperature (Section 3), drainage of floors (Section 6), and sanitary
conveniences (Section 7); in the case of power factories their responsibilities
relate only to sanitary conveniences District Councils are also responsible
for enforcing the provisions relating to Outwork.
The number of factories on the register at the end of the year was 1,378
of which 1,250 were power factories and 112 non power factories, as well as 2
electrical stations and 14 sites of building operations and works of engineering
construction A total of 836 inspections were made and action was found to
be necessary as follows:-
SECTION 7 (Sanitary conveniences). There were 17 contraventions of this
section - in 16 instances sanitary conveniences were found to be unsuitable or
defective and in the remaining instance found to be insufficient. The one
summons issued related to the case of failure to provide adequate lighting to
sanitary conveniences and resulted in the defendant being fined and ordered to
pay the Council's costs.
SECTION 70 (Basement Bakehouses). There are now only seven underground
bakehouses in respect of which certificates of suitability continue to operate
as follows; one certificate was cancelled, the use of the bakehouse to which
it related having been discontinued for a period of twelve months.
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.
200 Lower Clapton Road E. 5.
Some 34 inspections were made of these bakehouses.
SECTION 138 (Posting of abstract of Act and notices). During the course of
inspections made the Public Health Inspectors observed eight instances of
failure to display in a factory abstracts of the Act in accordance with the
requirements of this Section and pursuant to Section 153 (Provisions as to
county and district councils) notification of the contraventions was sent to
H M Inspector of Factories
HOMEWORK - OUTWORKERS. SECTION 133 (List of outworkers to be kept in certain
trades). The lists received in August showed that there were 95 firms in the
Borough employing outworkers at the end of the year 1,486 outworkers were
recorded in the department of whom 498 were employed by firms from outside the
Borough. The inspection of outworkers premises is carried out by the district
Public Health Inspectors who paid a total of 75 visits.
Statistics relating to factories and outwork are set out on pages 17-19
of the Appendix.