Rural Workers Accommodation Regulations (ACT)
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY.
Regulations 1952. No. 7."
Regulations under the Rural Workers Accommodation
Ordinance 1938-1951.
I W I L F R E D , the Interior, in pursuance of the powers conferred upon me by the
S E L W Y N K E N T H U G H E S , Minister of State for
Tlural Workers Accommodation Ordinance 1938-1951, hereby make the owing Eegulations.
| 0 | Dated this twenty-eighth day of February, 1952. |
W. S. K E N T H U G H E S
| I | Minister of State for the Interior. |
R U R A L W O R K E R S A C C O M M O D A T I O N R E G U L A T I O N S . 1.—(1.) These Regulations may be cited as the Rura l Workers short title and
Accommodation Regulations. commencement. (2.) These Regulations shall come into operation on the first day of August, 1952.
2. In these Regulations, unless the contrary intention appears— Definition. " bu i ld ing" means a structure used for the accommodation of rural workers, and includes sleeping quarters, a dining room, kitchen, bath room, washing room, store room, meat room or closet, used for or in connexion with the accom- modation of rural workers or the supply, preparation or consumption of meals of rural workers.
3.—(1.) A building shall be located on a site free from dampness, sites, materials
.'!70fi.—PBICB 8D. whether arising from lack of drainage, seepage or otherwise. construction oi (2.) The external walls of a building shall be constructed of brick, "" buHdin<-'8-
stone, concrete, corrugated galvanized iron, sawn or dressed timber or
i
fibro cement, or some other material approved in writing by an inspector.
(3.) Where brick, stone or concrete is used in the external walls of a building, a damp-proof course shall be provided.
(4.) An inspector may, by notice in writing, require the provision of a damp-proof course in a case where the construction of external walls is of material other than brick, stone or concrete, and in any such case a damp-proof course shall be provided.
(5.) Subject to these Regulations, the internal walls of a building shall be not less than 8 feet in height.
(6.) The floor of each room of a building .shall be constructed of sawn well-seasoned flooring boards, cement or flag-stones.
* Notified in the Commonwealth Gazette on 13th March, 1952.
(7.) An inspector may, in relation to a particular building, by notice in writing, require the use of a particular material in the con- struction of the floor of the building, and that material shall thereupon be used.
(8.) "Where the floor of a room of a building is constructed of flooring boards, the boards shall be so fitted as to prevent cracks.
(9.) The roof of a building shall be constructed of galvanized iron, corrugated fibro, tiles or slates, or some other material approved in writing by an inspector.
(10.) The roof of a building shall have a pitch sufficient to allow
rainwater to run off, and provision shall be made for carrying off therainwater without causing dampness to the walls or foundations of the
building. ^ t g " ' (11.) Each room of a building shall have at least one vertical^^*
glazed window opening directly to the open air.
(12.) A building, other than a building of brick, stone or concrete, which is used for sleeping, dining or cooking shall be lined and ceiled with tongued and grooved timber, fibrous sheeting, masonite or caneite, or some other material approved in writing by an inspector, not being iron or steel, or bags, hessian or like material.
(13.) A building of brick, stone or concrete construction used for dining, cooking or sleeping shall be ceiled as provided in the last preceding sub-regulation.
(14.) Every building, and every room, fixture or fitting attached to or appurtenant to a building, shall be constructed in a good and work- manlike manner and maintained in good order and condition.
(15.) The door of a building or part of a building shall be not less than 6 feet 6 inches high and not less than 2 feet 6 inches wide, and shall, when the building is occupied by rural workers, be provided with a lock and key.
(16.) A dining room shall be provided with not less than two such
doors.
| ventilation | 4.—(1.) Each room and compartment of a building shall be so space in the room or compartment, there shall be a minimum of 2 4 ^ i » square inches of unobstructed ventilation to the open air at or | |
| IShUng!"*1 | constructed that, for every one thousand cubic feet or part thereof of air j£* | |
| near the level of the ceiling. | ||
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| the frame or frames of not less than one-tenth of the floor area of the room or compartment. | ||
| (3.) The window or windows of a kitchen or other room or compart- ment in which food is or is likely to be prepared shall have an aggregate superficial area inside the frame or frames of not less than three and a half square feet. | ||
| (4.) Where the floor of any building is constructed of boards, it shall be laid so that there shall be between the underside of every joist upon which the floor is laid and the ground surface, or the upper surface of any asphalt, concrete or other material with which the ground or site of the building is covered, a clear space of not less than 12 inches in depth and effectively ventilated and cross ventilated by means of air bricks or other suitable methods. |
5.—(1.) I n the case of a kitchen, dining room or storeroom, every *iy-proonng.
ventilative or other opening (other than a door") shall he fitted with wire gauze of a maximum mesh of one-sixteenth part of an inch so as to he completely fly-proof.
(2.) All doorways giving access to such a building shall be fitted with a light swing self-closing frame, so fitted upon helical spring hinge- as to enable the frame to swing inwards and outwards, the swing frame being close fitting and covered with wire gauze of a maximum mesh of one-sixteenth part of an inch or, where exact compliance with these requirements is not practicable, shall be made as fly-proof as is practicable.
6. A building shall be provided with a convenient and safe mean? Approach,
access and entrance, maintained in good order and condition.
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an ordinary kerosene wall lamp, or other not less efficient artificial ll(!htin,! 7.—(1.) A sleeping compartment or room shall be provided with Artificial lighting, which shall be maintained in good working order and condition.
(2.) Where a kerosene wall lamp is provided, a weekly supply of oneand a half pints of kerosene shall be provided free of cost for each rural
worker occupying the sleeping room or compartment.
(3.) Sufficient kerosene lamps or other not less efficient artificial lighting shall be provided for dining rooms, kitchens and store rooms and, where kerosene lamps are so provided, a weekly supply of one and a half pints of kerosene shall be provided for each kerosene lamp.
8.—(1.) A kitchen, or room or compartment used as a kitchen, shall Kitchen and
c o n t a i n - SSSftf. (a) a brick oven, a stove, or a cooking range;
(b) sufficient tables and benches of dressed timber closely
cramped with an even surface or covered with masonito or
linoleum; and
(c) a supply of proper cooking utensils, including tea pot and
coffee pot or urn with a close-fitting lid and a spout or tap,meat mincer, meat axe or cleaver, wood axe, butcher's
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masher, large mixing spoons, egg heater, flour sifter, rolling knife and steel, carving knife and fork, soup ladle, potato pin, colander, t in opener, kitchen alarm clock, large and
| i | medium saucepans of cast iron or aluminium, cast iron water boilers, large and medium buckets, cooking meat |
| dishes, serving meat dishes, large meat fork, mixing bowls, | |
| baking dishes for sweets, baking dishes for cakes, small cake moulds, pie dishes, bread trough, dough scraper, bread-baking loaf dishes, butter basins, sugar basins, frying pan's, scrubbing brushes, common soap, sand soap, washing soda, pudding cloths, dish-washing cloths, tea towels, broom, shovel, water dipper and any additional item required by an inspector by notice in writing. |
(2.) Where a kitchen is equipped with a stove or cooking range, a grating suitable for heating plates shall be placed above the stove or range, extending from one side of the brickwork to the other side.
| Bating | 9.—(1.) Each rural worker shall be provided with one knife, one (2.) Where, during the term of employment of any rural worker, the supply of delf plates becomes insufficient, through losses, breakages or otherwise, to enable compliance with this regulation in the case of that worker, metal or enamel plates may be substituted for such period as is reasonably necessary to enable the supply of delf plates to be replenished. |
| utensilH. | fork, two spoons, one cup or pint enamel mug, and two delf plates. |
10.—(1.) A kitchen shall be provided with one fly-proof safe for
| Fly-proof | fly-p | |
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(2.) Where twenty or more rural workers are employed, or in a i ^ , other case where so ordered in writing by an inspector, there shall " ^ B ^ provided, at a distance not exceeding 40 feet from the kitchen, a meat
house complying with the following requirements:—
(a) it shall contain meat hooks, block, bench, and pickle cask;
(o) its internal measurements shall be not less than 10 feet by
10 feet by 8 feet; and
(c) the walls shall be covered with wire gauze of maximum mesh not exceeding one-sixteenth part of an inch so as to render it completely fly-proof.
11.—(1.) A store room shall be provided for the purpose of storing
provisions.
(2.) The store room shall be—
(a ) lighted and ventilated in accordance with the provisions of
regulation 4 of these Regulations;
(&) fitted with strongly-built timber shelving, surrounding the
internal walls; and
(c) provided with an efficient locking device and key.
| Heating | 12.—(1.) Each dining room shall contain— |
(a) a fire-place; or (b) a stove, radiator or other form of space-heating device
approved in writing by an inspector.
(2.) Where a fire-place is provided, the opening shall be— k (a) where not more than ten workers are accommodated—not
less than 4 feet wide;
(b) where more than ten but not more than fifteen workers are
accommodated—not less than 5 fe.et wide; and
(c) where more than fifteen workers are accommodated—not
less than 6 feet wide.
(3.) Where a fire-place or space-heating device is provided in a room not being the dining room, an inspector may approve of the use of that fire-place or device in lieu of the fire-place or device required to be provided under this regulation.
'•)
13.—(1.) Each dining room shall be separated from the kitchen. Separation or v
' ° * dining room
(2.) Where a dining room and a kitchen are under the same roof, from kitchen.
there shall be a partition of wood or fibrous sheeting, or other material approved in writing by an inspector as being equally suitable, from floor to ceiling between the dining room and the kitchen, and the partition shall be provided with a door.
(3.) A servery window may be provided in the partition if the opening does not exceed " feet square and it is equipped with a close-fitting shutter.
(4.) Where a servery window is provided, the shutter shall be kept closed at all times except during the period occupied in the serving of meals.
| M | 14.—(1.) Dining tables shall be provided, and they shall be con- Dining table*. |
strueted of dressed timber closely cramped with an even surface.
(2.) Where the upper surface of a dining table is not even and free from crevices, an inspector may, by notice in writing, order the permanent covering of the table with linoleum or tempered masonite, or other material which he deems suitable for the purpose, and may direct the manner in which the covering shall be affixtsd to the table for the purpose of providing an even surface.
(3.) Where a dining table is used for seating persons on each side thereof, it shall measure not less than 3 feet 6 inches in width, and shall be of sufficient length to provide a space of not less than 2 feet for each person seated thereat.
(4.) Dining tables shall be so placed in the dining room when persons are seated at the tables that there shall be a clear passageway of at least 4 feet behind every person seated at the tables.
(5.) A dining table shall, whether or not a worker or workers is or are seated at the end or ends thereof, be so placed in the dining room that there shall be a clear passageway at each end of the table of not less than 2 feet in width.
15.—(1.) The dining room or dining rooms shall be provided with seat»
.sufficient seating accommodation for each rural worker employed, and
an even surface. the seating acoommodation shall be constructed of dressed timber with (2.) The seating accommodation shall be movable and, where forms
| i | are used for seating, the surface of the forms shall be not less than 10 |
inches in width.
16.—(1.) Where a building used for sleeping quarters is divided Partition,
into compartments, partitions used for the purpose of dividing the sleeping quarters into compartments shall be built from the floor of the building to the ceiling and shall be made of wood, fibrous sheeting, masonite or caneite, or some other material approved in writing by an inspector, not being bags, hessian or like material.
(2.) Except in the case of partitions erected prior to the commence- ment of these Regulations, iron or steel shall not be used in the con- struction of partitions in sleeping quarters.
Sleeping
| quarters for | 17.—(1.) Where twelve or more rural workers, including a cook or |
| cooks and | cooks, are accommodated— |
| assistants. |
(a) separate sleeping accommodation for cooks and their assist- ants shall be provided in a building which does not adjoin a building provided as sleeping quarters for other rural workers or a dining room; and
(b) the separate sleeping accommodation shall be at a distance not greater than 50 feet and not less than 30 feet from the kitchen.
(2.) Where less than twelve rural workers, including a cook or cooks, are accommodated—
(a) sleeping accommodation for cooks and their assistants shall
be provided in a separate compartment or c o m p a r t m e n t - which may adjoin the sleeping compartments of otheJ^I rural workers, the kitchen or the dining room;
(b) the parti t ions separating any such separate sleeping com- partment from any other sleeping compartment or compartments, the kitchen or dining room shall be double lined with wood, fibrous sheeting, masonite, caneite, gyprock or other suitable material approved in writing by an inspector, unless the partitions are of brick, stone,
concrete or like mater ia l ; and (c) no means of ingress or egress shall be provided between any such separate sleeping accommodation and any other room, compartment, quarters or building.
| lioors of | 18.—(1.) Every sleeping compartment shall be provided with a |
sleeping
| compartments. | close-fitting wooden door fitted with a lock which shall be maintained in proper working condition. | |
| (2.) Each worker using the sleeping compartment shall be supplied with a key to fit the lock. | ||
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| Equipment for | 19.—(1.) Each rural worker accommodated in any building shall | |
| sleeping | ||
| compartments. | be provided with one bed, which shall take the form of a bedstead or wire stretcher. | |
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| (3.) Each rural worker shall be supplied with a mattress and a pillow, and outside loose washable mattress and pillow covers, which shall comply with the following requirements:— |
(a ) the mattress shall be of a minimum size of 6 feet 4 inches long, 2 feet 6 inches wide, 4 inches deep, with filling material enclosed in good quality striped ticking, or such other material as an inspector approves, double stitched all around or machine rolled all around;
(b) the mattress shall contain filling which shall comply with one of the following requirements as to type and weight:—
( i ) carbonized wool, 22 lb. net of filling;
( i i ) garnetted wool, 32 lb. net of filling;
(i i i) garnetted cotton, 22 lb. net of filling;
(iv) Java or Siamese kapok, 16 lb. net of filling;
(v) woollen flock, 24 lb. net of filling;(vi) a mixture of any of the above-mentioned materials,
net weight of filling, 22 lb ; or
(vii) any other material approved by an inspector as being equally suitable, of such weight as is approved by the inspector;
| * | (c) the mattress shall be tufted with leather, cotton, wicking or felt tufts equally spaced with three rows of five tufts and two rows of four tufts, so that a total of not less than 23 tufts in all are fixed to each side of the mattress; | |
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| (e) the outside loose washable covers shall— |
(i) be of good quali ty;
( i i) be made of light weight duck or strong calico or
such other material as an inspector approves;
( i i i) be maintained in clean order and condition; and (iv) be washed after being used by any person prior
to their being issued to a rural worker.
(4.) A dressed timber table with an even surface shall be provided for each sleeping compartment and six clothes hooks shall be securely affixed to the walls of the sleeping compartment for the use of the occupants.
otherwise conforming to the provisions of these Eegulations, shall be Ĵ jjjjjjjf18 20. Separate sleeping, washing, bathing and closet accommodation, Accommodation provided for female rural workers.
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premises required by section 6 of the Ordinance, an inspector may at {?1™ '̂|J<^>n of 21. I n addition to the fumigation, disinfecting and cleaning of cleanliness and
| i | any time direct that any premises be cleaned, fumigated or disinfected |
| if the premises are in an unclean or insanitary condition. |
22. A sufficient supply of good drinking water, together with proper Diking water,
drinking mugs, shall be provided, and every tank or vessel used for the purpose of storage of drinking water shall be so constructed and covered as to prevent its water contents from becoming polluted or contaminated, and shall comply with the following requirements:—
(a) there shall be a fine wire mesh soldered to the junction of the down pipe and roof guttering; and
(b) the down pipe shall be so fitted to the tank or vessel by soldering as to prevent the ingress of any foreign matter into the tank or vessel.
| Bath rooms. | 23.—(1.) Where sufficient water can reasonably be made available for ablution purposes for rural workers, a bath room shall be provided, which shall be constructed of galvanized iron, or other material approved in writing by an inspector. |
| (2.) The walls of each bath room shall be not less than 8 feet 6 inches in height, and shall extend to within 6 inches of the roof. |
(3.) A bath room shall also comply with the following require-
ments :—
(a ) it shall be provided with a door;
(b) it shall be provided with at least one window;
(c) at least two clothes hooks to each shower shall be provided; (d) its floor shall be constructed of concrete, so graded as to provide a run off for water ; ^^ - (e) it shall contain either semi-rotary pump-type showers^fc^
pull-up cistern-type showers, or plunge baths, and the
showers or plunge baths shall be provided in the proportion of two showers or one plunge bath for seven or less workers, and one shower or plunge bath for each additional four workers or fraction thereof; and
it shall have a minimum floor space of 6 feet in length and 5 feet in width for the first two showers or one plunge bath, and shall have an additional 3 feet in length for each additional shower, or 6 feet in length for each additional plunge bath, installed.
(/)
(4.) A bath room erected after the commencement of these Eegula- tions shall not adjoin a building used for sleeping, dining or cooking purposes.
| Washing room. | 24.—(1.) A washing room shall be provided for the use of rural |
workers.
(2.) The washing room shall contain separate vessels and utensils for personal ablution and for the washing of clothes in the proportion of one set of vessels and utensils for every five workers or fraction thereof.
(3.) The washing room—
(a) shall be constructed of galvanized iron, timber or s!ich o t h c r ^ ^ v material as is approved in writing by an inspector; (i) shall have a concrete floor; and
(c) shall have walls of a minimum height of 7 feet 6 inches,
extending to within 6 inches of the roof.
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| Drainage. | 25.—(1.) Proper and sufficient drainage shall be provided for the carrying away from a building of all surface, rain, or waste water and the drains shall discharge at a reasonable distance from the building. |
| (2.) "Waste liquids from a kitchen shall not be discharged into a drain provided in compliance with this regulation. | |
| Use of | 26. A sufficient quantity of disinfoctant approved by an Inspector |
| disinfectants. | shall be provided and applied to all closets, drains and receptacles as frequently as is necessary to eliminate offensive odours and repel flies. |
| Closets. | 27.—(1.) Closets shall be provided in the proportion of one seat to every ten workers or fraction thereof. |
at least 7 feet high, and each closet shall be properly lighted and
ventilated.(3.) The floors of each closet shall be of concrete, bricks or cement, or other material impervious to water.
(4.) The roof of each closet shall be of weatherproof material.
(5.) Each closet shall be provided with a door capable of being
fastened on the inside.
(6.) Where the pan system is in operation, each closet shall be pro- vided with a suitable pan.
(7.) Where a range of closets is in use, each seat shall be partitioned
off.
(8.) Each closet shall be made flyproof and shall be provided with a closing lid.
(9.) Where the pan system is in operation, each pan shall be of black iron, galvanized, 24 gauge, cylindrical in shape, 14 inches high and 14 inches in diameter, with side handles and suitable rim or lugs for the affixing of an airtight lid.
(10.) The internal walls of every closet shall be hot limewashed at least once a year, or whenever directed by an inspector.
(11.) Where the pan system is in operation, the person entitled to the immediate possession of the premises shall cause the pans to be emptied as often as necessary, and at least once each week.
28. A person shall not commit a nuisance within 130 yards of any Nuisance,
building provided for the accommodation of workers.
Pena l ty : Ten pounds. 29.— (1.) The person entitled to the immediate possession of any Disposal of
premises shall, by himself or his agent— refuse (a ) provide sufficient water-tight metal receptacles with close- fitting lids to hold all refuse from the dining room and kitchen;
(b) empty and thoroughly clean the receptacles at least once in
every twenty-four hours ;
(c) remove all refuse, whether liquid or solid, to a distance of
at least two hundred yards from any building at least once in every twenty-four hours; and
(d) destroy the refuse by burning or by burying at least three
feet below the surface of the ground.
(2.) The destruction of refuse shall be carried out at least once in every twenty-four hours and, when refuse is buried, it shall be imme- diately and effectively covered by soil.
30. These Eegulations, except regulations 8, 9 and 19, do not Application
apply where less than five rural workers are employed. Regulations. By Authority: L. F. JOHNSTON, Commonwealth Government Printer, Canberra. 3706.—2
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