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Inspections under the Factory and Workshop Act, 1901.—
The administration of this Act so far as factories are concerned
is principally in the hands of H.M. Inspector. The
Borough Council is charged with the duty of seeing that
every factory in the district where more than forty persons
are employed is provided with means of escape in case of
fire, and there are special duties in regard to bakehouses and
domestic factories somewhat similar to workshops. Furthermore,
in districts where Part III. of the Public Health Acts
(Amendment) Act, 1890, is in force, the Local Authority is
responsible for the enforcement of Section 22 of that Act,
which relates to the provision of suitable and sufficient sanitary
conveniences.
Seventy-one inspections of factories were made and
fourteen written notices served, principally referring to
improper sanitary conveniences and various nuisances.
With regard to workshops and workplaces, the Borough
Council's duty of supervision may be classed under four
heads:—
1. The sanitary condition generally, which embraces:
(a) Cleanliness;
(b) Air space;
(c) Ventilation ;
(d) Drainage of floors; and
(c) Sanitary Conveniences.
2. The provision of means of escape in case of fire.
3. Special sanitary regulations of bakehouses; and
4. Homework.
There are 291 workshops and workplaces on the register,
to which 412 visits were paid during the year under review.
Cleanliness.—Thirty-nine workshops were found to
require the ceilings or walls (or both) cleansed, limewashed
or repaired.
Overcrowding.-Only one case of overcrowding was discovered,
and the nuisance was immediately abated.
Drainage of Floors. At one workshop wet floors were
found to exist, and the nuisance was suitably dealt with.
General Nuisances.—Twenty-two various nuisances were
discovered, comprising dirty yards, absence of dust-bins,
choked condition of drains, etc.
Sanitary Conveniences. Including factories, in thirtyfive
instances the sanitary accommodation provided was found
defective, unsuitable, or not in proper working order; in one
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