Requirements of Modern Street-cleansing
Page 52
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ABERDEEN'S cleansing superintendent, Mr. A. R. Findlay, points out that, of the beat and gang systems for street sweeping, the beat system has more to commend it. The orderly is responsible for a definite area from 300 yds. upwards, and supervision is reduced. He is available for any emergency, and no refuse is left to be picked up later.
Collecting vehicles should be covered and given as low loading as possible. The broom is a most important tool in the service. If we are to advance and be really hygienic, the application of the suction plant must be our goal. In btisy thoroughfares, the interval for litter bins should not be more than 20 yds., and they should be as near tramcar and bus stations as possible. The distribution of hand-bills and periodicals, especially at recreation and football grounds, is practised to a large extent. Where by-laws are not in force, an appeal to the managers concerned has invariably the desired effect.
Mechanical vehicles have done more than anything else to modernize the cleansing service. The more important in use are: street sweeper, water tank, gully emptier, snag, plough and gritting machine. The sweeper is adaiitable to any road surface in all sorts of weather and works well. Care must be taken to instruct the driver to adjust the brush for the different road surfaces. Water plays an important part, but unfortunately a good supply is not always available when most required.
For gullies a mechanical emptier is the only hygienic method ; for part-time work a portable type can be fitted to a motor chassis when required. Snow ploughs or rakes, quickly attachable to motor vehicles, are necessary. The transport of snow is expensive. Fortunate are the districts where harbours or rivers are available, otherwise acquire a piece of ground nearby, drain it properly, make suitable roads and unloading banks, and the saving in transport and labour will soon cover the expense which has thus been incurred.
The compulsory stamping of insuranze cards for casual labour during snowstorms is a source of annoyance to men and employers. Every local authority should have a suitable rubber-tyred gritting machine.