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110
At one workshop in Plashet West Ward it was found that
owing to an increase in the business and the difficulty of keeping
one of the workrooms up to a sufficiently high temperature
in cold weather, the owner re-arranged his workrooms in such a
way as to necessitate a large proportion of his employees having
to pass from one room through the whole length of another before
reaching an exit. In ordinary circumstances this involved no
difficulty or danger but it is obvious that in the case of fire—or
what often amounts to the same thing so far as risk to limb is
concerned—an alarm of fire, this arrangement was far from being
satisfactory. The question of an emergency exit was carefully
considered, and I am pleased to report that the owner after full
discussion agreed to the reasonableness of providing an external
iron stair exit and has further arranged to give his employees
periodical fire drill. The latter point, although outside the
jurisdiction of the local Authority, in fact of any Statutory
Authority, appears to me to be of equal, if indeed not greater,
importance than the provision of the most elaborate mechanical
schemes for safety. One hopes that this example will be
followed at an early date by all employers, particularly of
female labour.
Common Lodging House —In the early part of the year a
Common Lodging House was opened at North Woolwich, with
accommodation for 42 beds. The premises formerly served as
a Police Station, but have since been adapted for the purpose
for which they are now used. Regular inspections have been
made and the premises found in a satisfactory condition. This
is the only Common Lodging House in the Borough.
Trade Refuse.—The collection and disposal of Trade
Refuse continues to work satisfactorily. The Council collect
tradesmen's refuse (except obnoxious matter) twice in every
week free of charge. To carry out the work necessitates
the employment of two horses, vans and men at a cost of about
£275 per annum.
By reference to the nuisance table on page 89 it will be
seen that nuisances arising from offensive accumulations have
decreased from 257 in 1909 to 236 in 1910, while for the year