Britain: An official handbook > 1959

LABOUR
395
of power-driven machinery without effective guards of certain parts; the cleaning of
machinery in motion; the training and supervision of young persons employed at
certain machines; the examination of hoists and lifting equipment, steam boilers
and steam and air receivers; the construction of floors; precautions against falls,
against gassing, and against explosions of inflammable dust or gas; means of escape
in case of fire; the protection of the eyes; the handling of dangerous substances;
and the lifting of heavy weights.
There are also general requirements with regard to health, including cleanliness
of workrooms, the provision and maintenance of proper accommodation and venti¬
lation and of suitable temperatures and lighting, the avoidance of over-crowding
and the provision of sanitary accommodation; and with regard to welfare, including
the provision of washing facilities, lockers or other accommodation for outdoor
clothing, drinking water, first aid and adequate seating arrangements.
All young persons under 18 years of age must, on entry to employment in
factories, at docks, or on building operations, be medically examined by doctors
appointed by the Chief Inspector of Factories and known as Appointed Factory
Doctors (see p. 402), and they must be re-examined annually until they reach the
age of 18. The hours permitted to be worked by women and young persons between
the ages of 16 and 18 are limited to 48 in a week and 9 in a day, although some over¬
time is allowed (up to six hours a week but not more than xoo hours a year nor
in more than 25 weeks in a year). Young persons under 16 years of age are limited
to 44 hours a week. Adequate intervals for meals must be arranged for women and
young persons and the employment of women and girls at night is, in general,
prohibited. Women and young persons are also prohibited from working in certain
specified processes concerned with lead compounds.
These requirements for safety, health and welfare are supplemented or modified
by regulations providing for safeguards against special risks to health or safety. The
regulations cover particular industries, processes, and types of machinery, and they
include provision for the compulsory periodic medical examination of workers in
certain specified industrial processes.
Mines and Quarries
The safety, health and welfare of workers in mines and quarries are the subject
of comprehensive legislation. Protective legislation in mines began with an Act of
1842, which forbade the employment of women underground; successive measures
laid down detailed requirements for the safe conduct of operations and dealt with
such matters as ventilation, dust suppression, support of workings, the safe use of
electricity, rescue and first aid. The latest stage was reached when the Mines and
Quarries Act was passed in 1954. This Act established the basic modern principles
of safety, health and welfare, leaving the details to be dealt with in statutory
regulations; it both consolidates the previous law and brings it up to date. Apart
from technical matters, it also covers such subjects as the general responsibilities of
owners and managements, the appointment and duties of officials, training, welfare,
the powers of official inspectors, statutory qualifications of managers and under¬
managers, employment of women and young persons, and inspections on behalf
of workmen.
The Ministry of Power is generally responsible for the administration of these
enactments, while the Mines and Quarries Inspectorate, which is part of that
Ministry, is directly responsible for their enforcement.
Agriculture
In agriculture, special attention has been paid to the protection of workers against
risks of poisoning, due to the use of toxic chemicals, and the Agriculture (Poisonous