Chap. 14.—An ACT in relation to certain proper sanitary arrangements to be
provided in factories, workshops, mercantile establishments or offices,
and imposing penalties for failure to provide such arrangements.

Approved February 9, 1910.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That every fac-
tory, in which five or more persons are employed, and every factory, work-
shop, mercantile or other establishment or office, in which two or more
children, under eighteen years of age, or women are employed, shall be
kept clean and free from effiuvia arising from any drain, privy or nui-
sance, and shall be provided with a sufficient number of proper water-
closets, earth-closets or privies, and reasonable access shall be afforded
thereto; and whenever two or more males and two or more females are
employed together,.a sufficient number of separate water-closets, earth-
closets or privies shall be provided for the use of each sex, and plainly so
designated ; and no person shall be allowed to use a closet or privy which
is provided for persons of the other sex: provided, in mercantile estab-
lishments and offices the provisions of this section shall not apply so far as
toilets are concerned, if separate toilets are within reasonable access.

2. The owner, lessee or occupant of any premises which are used as de-
scribed in the preceding section shall make the changes necessary to con-
form thereto. If such changes are made upon the order of the commis-
sioner of labor by the occupant or lessee of the premises, he may, within
thirty days after the completion thereof, bring an action against any
other person who has an interest in such premises, and may recover such
proportion of the expense of making such changes as the court may ad-
judge should be equitably borne by such other interested party defendant.

3. If it appears to the commissioner of labor that any act, neglect or
fault in relation to any drain, water-closet, earth-closet, privy, ash pit,
water supply, nuisance or other matter in a factory or workshop included
under the provisions of section one is punishable or remediable under any
law relative to the preservation of the public health, but not under the
provisions of this chapter, he shall give notice in writing thereof to the
board of health of the city or county in which such factory or workshop
is situated, or to the State health commissioner, and such board of health
or State health commissioner shall thereupon inquire into the subject of
the notice and enforce the laws relative thereto.

4. A criminal prosecution shall not be instituted against a person for
a violation of the provisions of sections one and two until four weeks
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after notice in writing by the commissioner of labor of the changes neces-
sary to be made to comply with the provisions of said sections has been
sent by mail or delivered to such person, nor if such changes shall have
been made in accordance with such notice. A notice shall be sufficient
under the provisions of this section if given to one member of a firm, or
to the clerk, cashier, secretary, agent or any other officer who has charge
of the business of a corporation, or to its attorney; and in case of a for-
eign corporation, to the officer who has charge of such factory or work-
shop; and such officer shall be personally liable for the amount of any
fine if a judgment against the corporation is returned unsatisfied.

5. Any person, firm or corporation who shall violate the provisions of
this act shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction
thereof, be subject to a fine of not less than five nor more than twenty-
five dollars, and each day of such violation may constitute a separate
offence. |