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The Act contains provisions concerning the ownership and occupation of
premises in relation to the duties imposed upon them and for compliance with
the requirements of Act and Regulations.
The Minister may by order, in special circumstances, exempt premises of
any class from all or any of the requirements relating to overcrowding,
temperature, sanitary conveniences, and washing facilities. Enforcing
authorities also have exemption powers if satisfied that compliance with the
requirements are not reasonably practicable. Such exemptions (with power to
extend) being limited to two years.
Anyone intending to employ people in premises affected by the Act will be
required to register with the Council. Premises already in use on the
appointed day will also have to be registered.
The Minister has power to make regulations for securing the discharge of
local authorities duties in a uniform manner, and to appoint Officers responsible
for seeing that local authority inspectors are discharging their duties,
and to advise local authorities thereon.
Local authorities are responsible for dealing with all provisions of the
Act except:-
(1) Pire precautions - London County Council.
(2) Railway premises and premises occupied by local, fire and Police
Authorities, schools and premises of the Atomic Energy Authority,
and offices and shops in factories will be inspected by the Factory
Inspectorate.
(3) Offices and shops in places of public entertainment will be inspected
by the London County Council.
Local authorities are required to submit an annual report to the Minister.
Importance is attached to this and the Minister has certain powers if the
authorities do not administer the provisions of the Act.
Certain offences under the Act carry their own specific penalties but in
general a fine not exceeding £60 is provided, and £15 a day for a continuing
offence. Where the offence is likely to cause death or serious injury the
fine can be £300. It is a defence to prove that all due diligence was used
to comply with the Act.