Report dated 19 March 1946 Dept of Labour inspection.
.jpg)
COPY
DEPARTMENT OF LABOUR
WELLINGTON.
19th March, 1945.
Messrs Wright & Carman, Limited,
177 Vivian Street,
WELLINGTON. C. 2.
Dear Sirs
As the results of a recent visit of inspection of
your factory by an Officer of this Department, it is considered that
the building is not satisfactory and that an endeavour should be
made to obtain other premises more in keeping with the requirements
of the Factories Act.
The following matters require attention.
- (1) The machine room is too congested and cased
materials stored there should be removed. The lighting, both natural
and artificial, in the machine room is very inadequate and some
urgent action should be taken to rectifiy this matter. Good lighting
is most important and some up-to-date pamphlets on this subject may
be seen at this office. - (2) The Lavatory accomodation for the use of the
male staff is very poor and no urinal is provided. - (3) Some urgent attention should be given to fire
escape facilities and these should not lead into an enclosed area. - (4) Washing fascilities are of a very poor type.
Arrangements for washing are necessary to the health, self-respect
and efficency of all workers and care in planning and siting the
arrangements of the washing fascilities and in selecting the most
suitable type will help to secure their proper use. - (5) Some provision must be made immediately for a
properly furnished dining-room. - (6) With regard to the bindery department, I am
sure you will agree that it is not fit for anyone to be employed in
but before prohibiting its use, I shall be glad to consider any
comments or suggestions that you may care to make - (7) Will you please let me have your reply to these
matters within seven days
Yours faithfully,
Signed: P.H. KINSMAN.
District Officer in Charge.
Report dated 19 March 1946 Dept of Labour inspection
Printing establishments, like other industrial facilities, were subjected to periodic inspection by the Department of Labour. A by-product of the 1880s and the Sweating Commission after which substandard working conditions in the printing trades were targeted, the inspector's reports offer a fascinating insight into contemporary occupational health and safety issues. Wright and Carman's premises on 177 Vivian Street at the corner of Walter Street were considered inadequate in almost all respects. Wartime restrictions deferred all but essential maintenance, but as Wright's reply indicates, the building was erected in 1914 and was never really suited to its present use, despite the firm expanding to take in an adjacent cottage and numerous plans put in front of the City Engineer for a temporary structure bridging the two.