This Act was basically designed to protect children and to provide few measures for health and safety of the workers.

1. FACTORIES ACT,
1948

2. INITIATION:
In great Britain, the second half of the 18th century,
there was a rapid growth of industrial towns &
factories.
As it was started without planning, they employed
the women as well as their children in factories who
needed to work for more than 12 hours a day.
Some of the employees took initiative to implement
labour lagislations, Facories Act came into existence
in 1819.
After some modifications, the final amended of
Factories Act took place in 1948.

3. FACTORIES ACT IN INDIA:
In India, the First factories Act was passed in 1881.
This Act was basically designed to protect children
and to provide few measures for health and safety of
the workers.
This law was applicable to only those factories, which
employed 100 or more workers.
In 1891 another Factories Act was passed which
extended to the factories employee 50 or more workers.

4. FACTORIES ACT INCLUDES:
Health
Safety
Welfare
Working Hours Of Adults
Annual Leave With wages

5. DEFINITIONS:
“Factory” is defined in section 2(m) of the Act. It means any
premises including the precincts thereof-a)
Whereon 10 or more workers are working, or were working on
any day of the preceding 12 months, and in any part of which
a manufacturing process is being carried on with the aid of
power, or is ordinarily so carried on; or
b) Whereon 20 or more workers are working, or were working on
any day of the preceding 12 months, and in any part of which
a manufacturing process is being carried on without the aid
of power, or is ordinarily so carried on.
But does not include a mine subject to the operation of the Mines
Act, 1952 or a mobile unit belonging to the Armed forces of the
Union, a railway running shed or a hotel, restaurant or eating
place.

6. OTHER DEFINITIONS:
“Manufacturing process” means any process for-a)
Making, altering, repairing, ornamenting, finishing,
packing, oiling, washing, cleaning, breaking up,
demolishing, or otherwise treating or adapting any article
or substance with a view to its use, sale, transport, delivery
or disposal ; or
b) Pumping oil, water, sewage or any other substance; or
c) Generating, transforming or transmitting power; or
d) Composing types for printing by letter press, lithography,
photogravure or other similar process or book binding
e) Constructing, reconstructing, repairing, refitting, finishing
or breaking up ships or vessels;
f) Preserving or storing any article in cold storage;

7. (CONTINUE…)
DAY: means a period of 24 hours beginning at midnight;
WEEK: means a period of 7 dayz beginning at midnight on
Saturday night
CALENDAR YEAR: means the period of 12 months beginning
with the first day of January in any year
POWER: means electrical energy, or any other form of energy
which is mechanically transmitted and is not generated by
human or animal agency
PRIME MOVER: means any engine, motor or other appliance
which generates or otherwise provides power;

8. OBJECTIVES:
The main objective of Factories Act, 1948 is to ensure adequate
safety measures and to promote the health and safety and
welfare of the workers employed in factories. The act also makes
provisions regarding employment of women and young persons
(including children & adolescents), annual leave with wages etc.
The Act extended to whole of India including Jammu & Kashmir
and covers all manufacturing processes and establishments
falling within the definitions of “factory” as defined u/s 2(m) of
the act. Unless otherwise provided it is also applicable to
factories belonging to Central/State Government (section 116)

9. PROVISIONS REGARDING HEALTH:
1) Cleanliness (sec.11)
2) Disposal of Wastes & Effluents (sec.12)
3) Ventilations & Temperature(sec.13)
4) Dust & Fumes(sec.14)
5) Artificial Humidification
6) Overcrowding(sec.16)
7) Lighting(sec.17)
8) Drinking Water(sec.18)
9) Spittoons(sec.20)

10. CLEANLINESS
 clean and free from effluvia arising from any drain,
privy or other, nuisance
 accumulations of dirt and refuse
 floors and benches of workrooms
 staircases and passages
 Washing of floor once at least in a week with
disinfectant
 effective means of drainage shall be provided and
maintained

11.  walls and partitions, all ceilings or tops of rooms
sides and tops of passages and staircases shall-
Non washable paints- repaint or revarnish 1 in 5
years
 Washable paints – coat of paint once in 3 years
period and washed once in 6 months
 smooth impervious surfaces cleaned at least once
in every period of fourteen months

12. DISPOSAL OF WASTES AND EFFLUENTS
 Provision for waste and effluent treatment plant
 Arrangement as per the Governments rule

13. VENTILATION AND
TEMPERATURE
 Effective and suitable provision to maintain-
 Adequate ventilation and circulation of air
 Maintenance of safe temperature
 material and design of wall and roof capable to
maintain proper temperature
 Isolation of hot parts of machine to maintain
temperature
 Ventilation and temperature as per standards of
government

14. DUST AND FUME
 Measures to prevent inhalation and accumulation of
Injurious dust, fume, impurity
 Exhaust fan to the near point of dust, fume and
impurity
 No use of internal combustion engine without
exhaust fan

15. ARTIFICIAL HUMIDIFICATION
1)Where artificially humidity is increased State
Government can make rules-
(a) Prescribing standards of humidification;
(b) Regulating the methods used for artificially
increasing the humidity of the air,
(c) Directing prescribed tests
(d) Method to secure ventilation and cooling of
workplace
(2) Water used for humidification be purified
(3) Inspector can specify methods to be adopted, and
for purification.

16. OVERCROWDING
 No overcrowding to an extent injurious to health
 Factories before the enactment 9.9 cubic meter for
per worker
 Factories after enactment 14.2 cubic meter for
every worker
 Notice to specify maximum numbers of worker in
workroom
 Exemption

17. LIGHTING
 provided and maintained sufficient and suitable
lighting, natural or artificial, or both
 Cleaning of glazed windows and skylights
 prevention of -
 (a) glare, either directly from a source of light or by
reflection from a smooth or polished surface;
 (b) the formation of shadows to such an extent as
to cause eye-strain or the risk of accident to any
worker
 Government prescribe standards of sufficient and
suitable lighting

18. DRINKING WATER
 Effective arrangement at suitable point with
sufficient supply of water
 Marked as ‘Drinking water’ in language known to
the majority of workers
 No such point within six meters of any washing
place, urinal, latrine, spittoon, open drain carrying
sullage or effluent or any other source of
contamination
 Provision for cooling water if two hundred and fifty
workers work
 examination by State Government authority

19. SPITTOONS
 a sufficient number of spittoons in convenient
places and they shall be maintained in a clean and
hygienic condition.
 The State Government may make rules prescribing
the type and the number of spittoons
 no spitting in premises except in spittoons. Notice
of fine should be displayed.
 Fine not exceeding five rupees

20. PROVISIONS REGARDING SAFETY:
1) Fencing of Machinery
2) Work on or near Machinery in motion
3) Employment of Young Persons on Dangerous Machines
4) Striking Gear and Devices for cutting off power
5) Self Acting Machines
6) Casing of New Machinery
7) Prohibition of Employment of Women & Children near
Cotton openers
8) Hoists, lifts, Lifting Machines and others
9) Revolving Machinery
10) Pressure Plant

21. (CONTINUE…)
1) Floors, Stairs & Means or Access
2) Pits, Sumps, Opening in Floors and others
3) Excessive Weights
4) Protection of Eyesprecautions against Dangerous Fumes,
Gases & others
5) Precautions Regarding use of portable electric light
6) Explosive or Inflammable Dust, Gas
7) Precautions in case of fire
8) Specifications of Defective Parts or Tests of Stability
9) Safety of Buildings and machines
10) Safety officers

22. FENCING OF MACHINERY(SEC.21)
 Every dangerous parts must be securely fenced.
 The State Government may by rules prescribe such
further precautions.

23. MACHINES IN MOTIONS(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.

24. 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.

25. SELF ACTING MACHINES(SEC.25)
 Make sure that no person should walk in a space within
45 cm from any fixed structure which is not a part of
machine.

26. CASING OF NEW MACHINES(SEC.26)
 All machinery driven by power & installed should be so
sunk, encased or otherwise effectively guarded as to
prevent danger

27. 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.

28. LIFTING MACHINES, CHAINS, ROPES &
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 metres of a place
where any person is employed or working.

29. REVOLVING MACHINES(SEC.30)
 Maximum safe speed must be mentioned for each
machine.
 Speed indicated in notices should not to be exceeded

30. FLOORS, STAIRS ETC.(SEC.32)
 All floors, steps, stairs, passages & gangways should be
of sound construction & properly mentioned

31. PROTECTION OF EYES(SEC.35)
 Provide goggles if workers have to work on something
stretching to the eyes.

32. DANGEROUS FUMES ETC(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

33. PRECAUTIONS IN CASE OF FIRE(SEC.38)
 There should be separate exit for cases of fire.
 There should be facilities for extinguishing fire.

34. SAFETY OFFICER(SEC.40B)
 If 1000 or more workers are employed, appoint a
separate safety officer.

35. PROVISIONS REGARDINGWELFARE OF
WORKERS
1) Washing Facilities
2) Facilities for Storing & Drying clothing
3) Facilities for Sitting
4) First Aid facilities
5) Canteens, Shelters, Rest Rooms & Lunch Rooms
6) Creches
7) Welfare Officers

36. HAZARDOUS PROCESSES
Provisions regarding Hazardous Process were
instructed in the Act under a new chapter by the
Factories (Amendment) Act, 1987.
This Act instructed two new schedules:
I. Listing the industries involving hazardous process
II. Relating to permissible levels of certain chemical
substances in work environment

37. PROVISIONS REGARDING HAZARDOUS
PROCESSES
1) Constitution of Site Appraisal Committee
2) Compulsory Disclosure of Information
3) Special Responsibility of the occupier in relation to
Hazardous processes:
4) Maintaining accurate and up-to-date health and medical
records of workers exposed to any chemical, toxic or any
other harmful substances manufactured, stored, handled
or transported
5) Appointing qualified, experienced & compete persons in
handling such substances to supervise handling and for
protecting the workers from the hazard
6) Providing for medical examination of every worker at
intervals

38. (CONTINUE…)
 Appointment of Inquiry Committee
 Emergency Standards
 Permissible Limits of Exposure of chemical and toxic
 Substances
 Workers’ participation in safety management
 Right of workers to warn about imminent danger

39. WORKING HOURS OF ADULTS:
•Weekly Hours: < 48 hours
•Weekly Holidays : at least 1 holiday in a week ,
substitute holidays
•Compensatory Holidays
•Daily Hours : < 9 hours
•Intervals for rest : at least half an hour

40. (CONTINUE…)
• Prohibition of Overlapping Shifts : not more than
2 continuous shift
• Extra wages for overtime : wages at the rate of
twice at his ordinary rate of wages for overtime
• Notice of period of work

41. RESTRICTION ON EMPLOYMENT OF
WOMEN & CHILDREN:
•Work between 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. only
•Strictly restriction for women for employment
between 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
•Employment of women in night shift is permitted
only in the case of fish-curring and fish-canning

42. ANNUAL LEAVE WITHWAGES
Annual leave with wages
Wages during leave period
Payment in advance in certain cases
Mode of Recovery of unpaid wages
Power to make rules

43. OFFENCES
A court can take cognizance of the offence only when
the complaint is made within 3 months of the date on
which the alleged commission of the offence came to
the knowledge of the inspector, but where the offence
consist of disobeying a written order made by an
Inspector, complaint may be made within 6 months
of the commission of the offence

44. PENALTIES:
General penalties for offence
Penalty for the contravention of Provisions Relating to
Hazardous process
Penalty for obstructing Inspector
Penalty for wrongfully Disclosing Results of Analysis
Penalty relating to casing of new machinery
Penalties for Offences by workers & Parents
Penalty for offence by a medical practitioner
Penalty for employing child labour