The document summarizes key safety provisions in Sections 21-41 of the Factories Act, 1948 in India. It outlines regulations around machinery guarding, work near moving machinery, employment of young persons on dangerous machines, emergency power cuts, hoists/lifts, pressure vessels, floors/stairs, pits/openings, weights, eye protection, portable lights, explosives, fire prevention, building/machinery inspections. The Act aims to provide a safe working environment for factory workers by mandating safety measures and assigning enforcement powers to inspectors.

1. Presentation
on
Factory Act 1948
Safety Provisions
Prepared by
Mrs. Seema Mahajan
Asst. Prof. in Commerce
Pt. Mohan Lal S.D College For Women, Gurdaspur

2. Section 21 to 41 of Chapter III of
the Factories Act, 1948 contained the
safety provisions of factories act Act
1948 of the workers. These provisions
are made to provide the safe working
environment in the factories to the
workers. Safety is the basic and
primary requirement and these
provisions are incorporated in the act
to ensure safety of workers against
accidents and hazardous jobs.

3. SECTION 21: FENCING OF
MACHINERY
There is compulsion on the part of occupier of the factory to
ensure the proper fencing of machinery with the best method. No
occupier can avoid this liability on account of any financial or
mechanical reasons. The following machinery must be securely
fenced by safeguards of substantial construction:
Every moving part of the prime mover and every flywheel
connected to a prime mover.
The headrace and tailrace of every water-wheel and water turbine.
Any part of a stock bar which projects beyond the headstock of a
lathe.
Every part of electric generator, motor or rotary convertor.
Every dangerous part of any other machinery.

4. SECTION 22: WORK ON OR NEAR MACHINERY
IN MOTION
This provision requires that the machinery shall be lubricated or examined while
in motion only by the trained worker. The workers should be adult and his name
should be mentioned in the registers of the factory to do the same work. He can
do so only after wearing proper tight clothes supplied to him by the occupier of
the factory.
Such worker shall not handle the belt at a moving pulley unless:
The belt is not more than 15 centimeters in the width.
The pulley is normally for the purpose of drive and merely a fly-wheel or balance
wheel.
The belt joint is either laced or flush with the belt.
The belt, including the joint and pulley rim are in good condition.
There is reasonable clearance between the pulley and any fixed plant or structure.
Secure foothold and secure handhold should be provided wherever it feels
necessary.
No women or young worker is allowed to clean, lubricate or adjust any part of the
machinery while it is motion if it is likely to expose her or him to risk or injury
from any moving part.

5. SECTION 23: EMPLOYMENT OF YOUNG
PERSON ON DANGEROUS MACHINES
Section 2 applied only to the young persons. This section
provides that no young person shall work on the dangerous
machines unless:
He has been fully instructed to the dangers arising in
connection with the machine and the precautions to be
observed.
He has received sufficient training in work at the machine
or he is under adequate supervision by a person who has a
thorough knowledge and experience of the machine.
The state government is empowered to prescribe the
machines that are dangerous for the young workers.

6. SECTION 24: STRIKING GEAR AND DEVICES FOR
CUTTING OFF POWER
In every factory, suitable devices for cutting off power in
emergencies from running machinery shall be provided
and maintained in every work room.
Also the suitable striking gear or other efficient mechanical
appliances shall be provided and maintained to work on
transmission machinery.
When a device, which can inadvertently shift from ‘off’ to
‘on’ position is provided, sufficient provision should be
made to lock that device in the safe position and out of the
reach of non-authorized workers.

7. SECTION 25: SELF ACTING MACHINES
The use and installation of self acting machines within
the distance of 45 centimeters from fixed structure is not
allowed. The chief inspector may allow the use of such
machines if installed before the commencement of the act
along with some conditions to ensure safety.
SECTION 26: CASING OF NEW MACHINES
After the commencement of the Factories Act, 1948, it
becomes compulsory to encase the new machinery. Any
occupier who does not comply with the provision is
punishable with the imprisonment for 3 months or with a
fine which may extend to Rs. 500 or both.

8. SECTION 27: PROHIBITION OF EMPLOYMENT OF
WOMEN AND CHILDREN NEAR COTTON OPENER
No women or child can be employed to work for pressing the cotton or
near the cotton opener. If the feed end and delivery end room are
separated, then inspector may allow in writing the employment of
women and children.
SECTION 28: HOISTS AND LIFTS
The hoists and lifts to be installed in the factory should be properly
constructed and should be of good mechanical construction, sound
material and adequate strength and properly maintained. It must be
sufficiently protected by enclosures and must be fitted with gates. It
must be examined every six months by a competent person. A register
containing the prescribed particulars of every such examination shall
also be kept.

9. SECTION 29: LIFTING MACHINES, ROPES, CHAINS
AND LIFTING TACKLES
The provisions applied to lifting machines, ropes, chains and lifting
tackles are as follows:
These shall be of good construction, sound material and adequate
strength and free from defects.
These should be properly maintained.
These should be thoroughly examined by a competent person at least
once in a year. A register shall be maintained containing the prescribed
particulars of every such examination.
SECTION 30: REVOLVING MACHINERY
In every factory, where the revolving machinery is installed, the notice
should be placed near to it indicating the maximum safe working speed.
Effective measure shall be taken in every factory to ensure that the safe
working peripheral speed of every revolving vessel, cage, basket,
flywheel pulley, disc or similar appliance driven by power shall not
exceed the prescribed limits.

10. SECTION 31: PRESSURE PLANT
If in any factory any part of the plant or machinery used in a
manufacturing process is operated at a pressure, effective measures
shall be taken to ensure that the safe working pressure of such part is
not exceeded.
The state government may make rules providing for the examination
and testing of any pressure plant.
SECTION 32: FLOORS, STAIRS AND MEANS OF
ACCESS
In every factory, safe means of access should be provided and
maintained at every place where the workers work. The floors,
staircases and gangways shall be of sound construction and properly
maintained. The floor must be free from the substances that may cause
the person to slip.
When any person has to work at a place which is at height exceeding
two meters, he must be provided with secure foothold and handled to
ensure the safety.

11. SECTION 33: PITS, SUMPS, OPENINGS IN FLOOR ETC.
The pits, sumps, openings in floor must be properly covered or fenced
so that it cannot be a source of damage to any worker. Securely fencing
means covering or fencing in such a way that it ceases to be a source of
danger to those who have occasion to go near there.
SECTION 34: EXCESSIVE WEIGHTS
The state government is empowered to make the maximum limit of
weights to be lifted by the adolescent workers, adult male and female
workers and children to be employed in the factory..
SECTION 35: PROTECTION OF EYES
There are many factories which are involving in that kind of
manufacturing process which can cause:
Risk of injury to the eyes from the particles or fragments thrown off in
the course of the process.
In such cases, there is compulsion of using the goggles or screen while
on work. The goggles are to be provided by the occupier.

12. SECTION 36 A: PRECAUTIONS REGARDING THE
USE OF PORTABLE ELECTRIC LIGHTS
There are some provisions laid down in relation to the use of portable electric
lights as this can also harm the workers when it comes into the contact with
any dangerous gas. The provisions are as follows:
No portable lights having voltage of more than 24 volts is allowed to be used
in a tank, chamber, pit or vat unless adequate safety devices are provided.
If any inflammable gas is present in the confined space, then only flame proof
portable light is allowed to be used.
SECTION 37: EXPLOSIVE OR INFLAMMABLE GAS
The factories may carry on the production process in which there is
involvement of inflammable gas which may lead to explosion. In such cases,
all practicable measures shall be taken to prevent such explosion by:
Effective enclosure of the plant or machinery in the process.
Removal or prevention of accumulation of such dust, gas, fume or vapor.
Exclusion or effective enclosure of all possible sources of ignition.

13. SECTION 38: PREVENTION IN CASE OF FIRE
In every factory, all practicable measures should be taken to prevent the
outbreak of fire internally as well as externally. The provisions are to maintain
safe means to escape for all the persons in case of fire as may be prescribed.
The necessary equipment and facilities for extinguishing the fire. Also all the
workers of the factory must be well known to the fire extinguishers installed in
the factory and know the way to use it.
SECTION 39: POWER TO REQUIRESPECIFICATION
OF DEFECTIVE PARTS OR TESTS OR STABILITY
In case the inspector, finds that any part of factory building or machinery is
dangerous to human life, the inspector may order the occupier of the factory to
finish, drawings, specifications and other particulars as may be necessary to
determine whether such building, ways, machinery or plant can be used with
safety.
To carry out the test in specified manner and inform the inspector of the result
thereof.

14. SECTION 40: SAFETY OF BUILDINGS AND
MACHINERY
The occupier has to ensure the safety of buildings and machinery in the
workers are employed. In case there is any default, the inspector is
empowered to serve the written notice to the occupier to get the
building or machinery repaired. Also the inspector can prohibit its use
unless it can get fully repaired.
40 A: MAINTENANCE OF BUILDINGS
The inspector appointed under this act has to ensure that every factory
has a repaired building which is not detrimental to health or safety to
the workers. He may serve a written notice to the occupier of the
factory to get the building of factory repaired before a specified date, if
he finds any discrepancy

15. SECTION 40 B: SAFETY OFFICERS
Section 40 B requires the appointment of safety officers in every
factory:
Wherein 1000 or more workers are ordinarily employed.
Wherein the manufacturing process carried on in the factory is of
hazardous nature in the eyes of state government.
The duties, qualifications and conditions of service of the safety
officers shall be such as may be prescribed by the state government.
SECTION 41: POWER TO MAKE RULES
The state government may make rules requiring the use of
such further devices and measures for safety as may be
necessary.