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60
FACTORIES, SHOPS AND OFFICES
The Factories Act, 1961, consolidated 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 1 535
of which 1,423 were power factories and 84 non-power factories, as well as
2 electrical stations and 26 sites of building operations and works of
engineering construction. A total of 570 inspections were made and action
was found to be necessary as follows:-
SECTION 7 (Sanitary conveniences), There were 21 contraventions of this
section - in 17 instances sanitary conveniences were found to be unsuitable or
defective, in three instances insufficient and in the remaining instance not
separate for the sexes. The one summons issued related to the failure to
maintain a water-closet in a good state of repair, but was withdrawn without
costs as the work was completed before the date of hearing.
SECTION 70 (Basement Bakehouse), 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 35 inspections were made of these bakehouses.
HOMEWORK - OUTWORKERS SECTION 133 (List of outworkers to be kept in certain
trades). The lists received in August showed that there were 97 firms in the
Borough employing outworkers; at the end of the year 966 outworkers were
recorded in the department of whom 532 were employed by firms from outside the
Borough. Hie inspection of outworkers premises is carried out by the district
Public Health Inspectors who paid a total of 30 visits.
Statistics relating to factories and outwork are set out on pages 16-18 of
the Appendix.
SHOPS ACT, 1950
SECTION 38 (Sanitary and other arrangements in shops). This section requires
the provision and maintenance of -