Press cuttings on the hazardous manufacture of sheep dipping powder

A file of press cuttings (most supplied to William Cooper and Nephews by Street & Co, and by Romeike & Curtice) concerning the dangers to health to workers engaged in the manufacture of sheep dip, which included white arsenic amongst its ingredients. The cuttings refer to factories in East London.

Includes a cutting from The Lancet: "Is there, then, any necessity for further carrying on such a dangerous trade as the compounding of arsenic, sulphur, and alkali exclusively for sheep-dipping purposes when equally effective yet harmless preparations are available? We think not. At any rate, if it must be continued it is for the Departmental Committee [into dangerous trades] to investigate and report upon the disastrous effects which the manufacture of this compound has upon the health of the operatives, and to urge the Government to put into force measures to immediately stop such dangerous employment."

With the following letters:

31 January, 1896. Street & Co to William Cooper & Nephews, enclosing a cutting and referring to a Government enquiry being ordered.

4 February, 1896. Proforma letter from the H M Inspector of Factories, Home Office, to William Cooper & Nephews, acknowledging receipt of their communication, "with extract from the 'West Ham Herald'".

24 February, 1896. The Lancet Offices, Strand, London, to William Cooper & Nephews. Refers to Cooper's letter of 13 February (not in file): "the Editors authorise me to state that they have had the matter under consideration and have suggested that a visit be paid to your factory by two of our commissioners. They are far from wishing to expose you to any injustice, and if what you state is correct, then your method of working in regard to preventing injury to the health of your workpeople should be published as an example to the rest." A visit is proposed within a fortnight.

1896

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