The Health Exhibition Literature V 10 PDF Download

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1884 edition. Excerpt: ...working overtime, to enjoy the full time for meals as the law directs, and if possible to walk out and to change the temperature of the workrooms. Overcrowding.--So grave was this evil found to be, that I had the sanction of H. M. Chief Inspector to prosecute an occupier in London for continued neglect therein. Let it be known that there is no standard laid down in the Factory Code as to what shall be the minimum amount of cubic space for each worker, but it was decided at the hearing, that 300 cubic feet should be the minimum to be allowed to each worker--but when we consider that the condition of thousands of factories and workshops is left to be governed by other than definite restrictions, no great success can possibly follow individual exertions. It has been laid down that we must be content with 250 cubic feet per head for day work, and 400 for night, which, if not allowed, is deemed to be a contravention, but in so wide and difficult a question, an insistance on specified regulations would enable inspectors to proceed on definite lines, incapable of misconstruction, and moreover, occupiers, knowing what the law requires, could not plead ignorance when pressure is brought to bear. Where there is no ventilation in workshops except by doors and windows which, when working overtime to 10 p.m. are, if possible, closed, the insanitary state of the rooms is very great--it is not a state of things to be desired to find overcrowding by females, bending over their work at sewing machines with gas jets close to their heads, and in rooms where no free air can enter in sufficient quantity to do them good--as I have said, their countenances are pallid, the eyelids and lips are bloodless, the body wearied, and no surer friend to lung complaints...