Abstract
THE sixth of the handbooks issued by the Air Raid Precautions Department of the Home Office is entitled “Air Raid Precautions in Factories and Business Premises” (London: H.M. Stationery Office, 1936. 6d. net), and is intended primarily for factory occupiers, for occupiers of large commercial premises and other employers of labour, on whom would rest in time of emergency a responsibility for the protection of their employees while at work and the safeguarding of their property. The handbook explains that the air raid precautionary services which are being organized by local authorities all over the country should be supplemented by the individual efforts of householders and of employers of labour. It is suggested that in undertakings employing considerable numbers of workers, a scheme of air raid precautions embracing as many as possible of the services required should be worked out. The importance of close co-operation with the local authority of the area is stressed. Since in the event of air attack it would be impossible to improvise the necessary precautionary measures at short notice, the measures to be adopted should be surveyed at the present time and the necessary plans and preliminary arrangements made for putting them into force without delay. The handbook contains detailed guidance on means of protecting employees against gas, and blast and splinters from high-explosive bombs; the safeguarding of property and material from damage, and arrangements for emergency repair work; first-aid facilities; the organization of adequate fire-fighting appliances, including special measures to deal with incendiary bombs; decontamination of material affected by persistent gas; provision of emergency communications and steps to ensure the effectiveness of lighting restrictions. Employers of labour are recommended to prepare schemes covering these aspects of air raid precautions and to arrange for their employees to receive training in the duties involved.
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Air Raid Precautions. Nature 138, 1089 (1936). https://doi.org/10.1038/1381089b0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/1381089b0