The Factories Act,

1948

The Factories Act

Factories Act, 1934 revised 1948: scope extended to welfare,
health,cleanliness,overtime safe and healthy working conditions
in the factories, bodily strain and without fear and danger of
accidents.
Amended periodically up to 1976. Chemical factories , hazardous
and toxic chemicals led to safety and health problems, Bhopal
In 1987, Factories (Amendment) Act, 1987 was passed, a
memorial to the victims of Bhopal. provides better safeguards in
the use and handling of hazardous substance , management for
greater safety measures

What is a factory?
A premises whereon 10 or more persons are engaged if
power is used, or 20 or more persons are engaged if power
is not used, in a manufacturing process. [section 2(m)].

Objective of the Act

The Act has been enacted primarily with the object of protecting workers
employed in factories against industrial and occupational hazards.
For that purpose, it seeks to impose upon the owner or the occupier
Occupier:
The person who has ultimate control over the affairs of factory
In case of Government company, 'occupier' need not be a director. In
that case, person appointed to manage affairs of the factory shall be
occupier. [section 2(n)].

certain obligations to protect the workers and to secure for them

employment in conditions conductive to their health and safety.

Health Provisions[Sec.11-20]
UNDER FACTORIES ACT 1948

Cleanliness[sec.11]
The working conditions should be clean and safe.
Clean the floor at least once a week by washing, or by
some effective method.
Effective means of drainage shall be provided.
White wash every 14 weeks
Paint / varnish every 5 years

Disposal of wastes and effluents [sec.12]

There should be proper arrangements or disposal
of wastes and effluents.
State government may make rules prescribed the
arrangements to be made under sub sections .

Ventilation & Temperature [sec.13]

Proper level of ventilation temperature and humidity must be
maintained.
Adequate ventilation by circulation of fresh air.
Walls and roofs shall be of such materials that reduces the
temperature
The state government may prescribe a standard of adequate
ventilation and reasonable temperature for any factory and records
should be maintained
Chief inspector will look after all the issues regarding temperature
in factory premises.

Dust and fume[sec.14]

Effective measures should be taken to prevent
inhalation or accumulation of dust & fume.
If any exhaust appliance is necessary for, it shall be
applied as near as possible to the point of origin of
the dust, fume or other impurity.

Artificial Humidification[sec.15]
Factories in which the humidity of the air is artificially
increased(like in textile units), keep it in limits.
The water used for artificial humidification to be clean.

Overcrowding[Sec.16]
14.2 cubic metres space per worker. While
calculating this space, space above the worker
beyond 4.2 meters will not be taken into account.
Notice specifying the maximum number of workers,
which can be employed in any work room shall be
displayed in the premises.

Lighting[Sec17]
Sufficient & suitable lighting in every part of factory. There
should natural lighting as far as possible.
All glazed windows and skylights used for the lighting of
the workroom shall be kept clean.
Formation of shadows to such an extent as to cause eyestrain or the risk of accident to any worker shall be
prevented.

Drinking water[Sec.18]
There should be drinking water (wholesome water)
Drinking points to be marked as drinking water. They
should be at least 6 meters away from wash room/urinal/
latrine/spittoons.
If >250 workers are working, then have cool water facility
also.

Wash rooms[Sec.19]
There should be separate for male and female.
Proper cleaning should be there and sweepers shall be
employed whose primary duty it would be to keep clean
washrooms
More than 250 workers are ordinary employed then
factories should be follow as per below:
The floors and internal walls should be height of 90cm.and
provide a smooth polished impervious surface.

Spittoons[Sec.20]
There should be sufficient number of spittoons.
No person shall spit within the premises of a factory except
in the Spittoons provided for the purpose
Whoever spits in contravention shall be punishable with
fine not exceeding five rupees

Safety of Worker[Sec.21-41]
UNDER FACTORIES ACT 1948

Objectives
Explain the need for adopting safety measures in factories.
Describe the safety measures provided for in the Factories Act.
Understand the relationship between safety measures and efficiency of workers.

Need for safety measures

Rapid industrialization with its complexities in manufacturing process and layout
Expansion or modifications in existing factories
Lack of safety consciousness on the part of both workers and management
Inadequate realization of the financial implications of accidents
Human failure due to carelessness, ignorance, inadequate skill, and improper
supervision have also contributed to accidents, and the consequent need for safety
measures.

SAFETY MEASURES
(i)
Fencing of Machinery ( sec.21):
In every factory, measures should be taken for secured fencing of machinery.
Safeguards of substantial construction must be raised and constantly
maintained and kept in position while the parts of machinery (they are
fencing) are in motion or in use. Fencing is necessary in respect of
()
Every moving part of a prime mover
()
Headrace and tailrace of every water-wheel and water turbine
()
Every part of an electric generator, a motor or a rotary convertor
()
Every part of transmission machinery
()
Every dangerous part of any other machinery.

(ii) Work on or near Machinery in Motion (sec. 22) :

Examination of machinery in motion only by a specially trained adult male worker
wearing tight fitting clothing.
No women or child should be allowed to work.

(iii) Employment of Young Persons on Dangerous Machines (sec. 23):

No young person should be allowed to work on dangerous machines (unless he has been
trained, and is under supervision).
Young person = 14 to 18.

(iv) Striking Gear and Devices for cutting off Power (sec. 24) :

There should be suitable striking gears etc. to switch off the power, so that if there
is any emergency, problem can be solved.

driving belts when not in use, shall not be allowed to rest or ride upon shaft in
motion.

(v) Self-acting Machine ( sec.25 ) :

Make sure that no person should walk in a space within 45 cm or 18 inches from
any fixed structure which is not a part of machine.
This is to safeguard the workers from being injured by self acting machines.

(vi) Casing of New Machinery (sec.26) :

All machinery driven by power & installed should be so sunk, encased or otherwise
effectively guarded as to prevent danger.
The State government is authorized to make rules specifying further safeguards to be
provided in respect of any dangerous part of any particular machine or class or
description of machines in this connection.

(vii) Prohibition of Employment of Women and Children near

Cotton openers (sec.27) :
No women or child shall be employed in any part of a factory where pressing a cotton
opener is at work.

(viii) Hoists and Lifts (sec.28) :

Every hoist and lift should be in good condition, and properly
checked.
The maximum load it can carry must be clearly mentioned.
The gates should be locked by interlocking / safe method (it should
not open in between).
To be properly examined in every 6 months.

(ix) Lifting Machines, Chains, Ropes and Lifting Tackles

(sec.29) :
Cranes & lifting machines, etc. to be of good construction & to be examined once
in every 12 month.

Cranes and lifting machines not to be loaded beyond safe working load.

Cranes not to be approach within 6 meters of a place where any person is

employed or working.

(x) Revolving Machinery (sec.30) :

Maximum safe speed must be mentioned for each machine.

Speed indicated in notices should not to be exceeded

(xi) Pressure Plant (sec.31) :

There should be safe working pressure on pressure plants.

Effective measures should be taken to ensure that the safe working pressure is not
exceeded.

(xii) Floors, Stairs, and Means of Access (sec.32) :

All floors, steps, stairs, passages & gangways should be of sound construction &
properly mentioned.

There shall, so far as is reasonably practicable, be provided, and maintained

safe means of access to every place at which any person is at any time required
to work.

(xiii) Pits, Sumps, openings in floor etc. (sec.33) :

Pits, sumps etc. should be securely covered or fenced.

(xiv) Excessive Weights (sec.34) :

No person should be employed to hold more weight than the person can hold.

(xv) Protection of Eyes ( sec.35) :

Provide goggles if workers have to work on something stretching to the eyes.

(xvi) Precautions against Dangerous Fumes and use of Portable

Light ( sec.36) :
Prohibited to employ workers in places where dangerous gas / fume is present.
Practicable measures should be taken for removal of gas, fume, etc.

 According to Sec.36 A, No portable electric light of voltage exceeding twenty four volts
shall be permitted in any factory for use inside any confined space. Where the fumes
present are likely to be inflammable no lamp or light, other than of flame proof nature,
shall be allowed to be used.

(xvii) Explosive or Inflammable Dust, Gas etc. (sec.37) :

Take all measures for safety and to prevent explosion on ignition of gas, fume etc.

(xviii) Precautions in case of fire (sec.38) :

There should be separate exit for cases of fire.

There should be facilities for extinguishing fire.

(xix) Power to require specification of defective parts or tests of

stability (sec.39) :
In general Sec.39 says about the various roles that have been assigned to the inspector.

He may call for details regarding building and machinery

(xx) Safety of Building and Machinery (sec.40) and Maintenance of

buildings (sec 40.A) :
In case it appears that any building, machinery or plant in a factory is in such a condition that
it is dangerous to human life or safety, the manager of the factory may be served an order
specifying measures to be adopted as prescribed.
Further, in case it appears that the use of any building, machinery or plant in a factory
involves imminent danger to human life or safety, an order may be served prohibiting the use
of such building or machinery, until it has been repaired or altered.

(21) Safety Officers (sec 40.B) :

If 1000 or more workers are employed, appoint a separate safety officer.

(22) Power to make rules to supplement the above

provisions(Sec.41) :
The State Government may make rules requiring the provision in any factory of such
further devices & measures for securing the safety of persons employed therein as it
may deem necessary.

Welfare Provision[Sec.42-50]
UNDER FACTORIES ACT 1948

Washing facilities[Sec.42]
There should be washing facilities in every factory for the workers
separate for male and female workers-properly screened.
conveniently accessible and shall be kept clean.

Facility for storing and drying of clothing[Sec.43]

There should be suitable places for keeping clothing not worn
during working hours.
There should be facility for drying of wet clothing.

Facilities for sitting[Sec.44]

Suitable arrangements for sitting shall be provided and maintained for
all workers obliged to work in a standing position
If the worker can do the work by sitting, - there should be sitting
arrangement for the worker.

First-aid appliances[Sec.45]
There should be at least 1 first aid box for every 150 workers.
It should have the prescribed contents.
A responsible person should hold a certificate on first aid treatment.
An ambulance room should be there if the number of workers is more

Canteen[sec.46]
If the number of workers is more than 250, the govt. may make
rules for canteen.
The govt. may make rules regarding foodstuff, construction,
furniture, equipment of the canteen
Shelter, rest room, lunch room[Sec.47]
When 150 workers are working, there should be rest rooms, lunch
room, etc.
Such places should be having drinking water facilities etc.
Such places should be sufficiently lighted, ventilated and kept in
cool and clean conditions.

Creches [Sec.48]
If the number of women workers is more than 30, there should
be the creches.
It should be sufficiently lighted, ventilated & to be under the
charge of trained women.
Welfare Officer[Sec.49]
If the number of workers is 500 or more, there should be a
welfare officer to look after the welfare of the workers.

1.As per the Act, a person who has completed his 15th year of age is a/an:
a) Adolescent
b) Teenager
c) Child
d) Adult
2. As per Factories Act, 1948 canteen should be provided in factory where
more than _______ workers are employed:
e) 100
f) 250
g) 600
h) 1000

3. A person who has ultimate control over the affairs of the factory under
factories act, 1948 is called as
a) Occupier
b) Manager
c) Chairman
d) Managing Director
4. The space for every worker employed in the Factory after the commencement
of Factories Act, 1948 should be ________ Cubic Meters.
e) 9.9
f) 10.2
g) 14.2
h) 13.2

5.The provision for cooling water during hot weather should be made by the
organization if it employees _______ or more employees.
a) 200
b) 250
c) 300
d) 150
6. Canteen is to be provided if engaging employees more than ______
persons.
e) 250
f) 230
g) 300
h) 275.

7.

The Ambulance Room is to be provided if engaging employees more than______

a) 400
b) 350
c) 500
d) 450
8. First Aid Boxes is to be provided for ______ of persons
e) 125
f) 135
g) 150
h) 160

9. creche is to be provided if ______ or more lady employees are engaged.

a)
25
b)32
c)30
d)40

10. An adult worker can work upto ____ hrs. in a day as per factories Act,
1948
e)
8
f)9
g)
10
h)
12

11.Section 17 of the Factories Act deals with

a) Artificial humidification
b) Disposal of wastes and effluents
c) Over crowding
d) Lighting
12. which of the following provisions do not come under the welfare
chapter in the Factories act, 1948?
e) Washing facilities
f) Drinking water
g) Facilities for sitting
h) First-aid appliances