Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Bethnal Green]
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such as letterpress printing works, tobacco works, bookbinding
works, &c., are " factories," whether "power"
be used or not.
All other works not using power are " workshops,"
and the sanitary condition of these is, by the new law,
placed under the supervision of the Local Authorities.
Section 97. District Surveyors are relieved of all duties in
connection with underground rooms, in favour of an
officer "specially appointed or determined" for this
purpose by the Sanitary Authority; the law with respect
to these rooms is made more stringent.
Section 96. A separately occupied underground room must now
be seven feet high, and have three feet of its height
above the surface of the street, unless it has an area
equal in width to the height of the room from the floor
to the surface of the street. Proper provision for the
exclusion of dampness both from floors and walls must
be made. The windows must have a total area equal to
one-tenth of the floor space, half of each window must
be made to open, and the opening must extend to the
top of the window. Fireplaces and sanitary conveniences
must be provided.
Permission is given to the Sanitary Authority to
modify some of these requirements, on the application
of the owner, in any particular case, and power of
appeal to the Local Government Board in case of
refusal to modify, is given.
Section 42. Improper construction of water-closets and drains
renders the builder who is employed to do the work
liable to a penalty of £10.
Section 41. Anyone who wilfully destroys sanitary apparatus,
or chokes up drains so that nuisance arises, is liable to a
penalty. The use of wood shavings in place of paper,
by cabinet-makers, would probably be considered an
offence against this section.