Factories Act, 1948:

Definition of a Factory: Section 2 (m) defines a factory as any place wherein ten or more persons are
working and in which a manufacturing process is carried on with the aid of motive power supplied by steam,
oil or electricity. Premises in which power is not used come under the term of a factory if twenty or more
persons are working in them.

Employment of Children: The act fixes the minimum age of persons who can enter a factory for work at 14
years. The Act restricted the entry of children below 13 years for employment. The Act further notified that
a qualified surgeon must certify the correctness of his age and that certified copy must be available with the
factory manager at any time for inspection.

Hours of work for children: The Act restricted the hours of work at four and a half hours from 5 hours for
children age of 14 - 17 and prohibited the work at night for such persons.

Hours of work for Adult Male and Female workers: The Act restricts employment of women in factories
between 6 pm to 7 am and has also reduced the daily working hours from 8 hours to 7-1/2 hours. The act
also made it compulsory of half an hour break after completing 5 hours. The worker, who works for more
than 8 hours in a day, is to be paid for the extra hours work at the rate of twice their ordinary rate of
wages.

Cleanliness: The Act provides that every factory shall be kept clean. Accumulation of dirt and refuse shall be
removed from the floor. The benches of work room, staircases and passages are also to be maintained
properly and cleaned every week. All inside walls shall be white-washed every year of painted once in every
5 years. Due importance is given for cleanliness.

Ventilation and Temperature: The Act provides for adequate ventilation and fresh air circulation in every
factory and maintains the required temperature. Adequate measures shall be taken by the management to
protect the workers from excess temperature.

The State Government may prescribe a standard of adequate ventilation and reasonable temperature for
any factory and suggests ways and means for reducing excess temperatures. Measures also to be taken to
prevent the dust or fumes which ware injurious to the health of the workers which may prevent the workers
inhalation of fresh oxygen.

Artificial Humidification: In factories where humidity is artificially increased or maintained, the State
Government may implement some rules –
• Prescribing standards of humidification
• Regulating methods used for humidification
• Directing that prescribed tests for determining humidity.
• Prescribing certain methods for securing adequate ventilation and cooling of the air in those rooms where
artificial humidity is introduced.
• Water used for humidification and drinking, shall be of municipal approved.

Overcrowding: To prevent overcrowding in any factory, the Act lays down that a minimum of 500 cubit feet
space shall be provided to each work. The Chief Inspector of Factories will communicate each factory
manager the maximum number of workers that may be employed on any premises. However, he has the
authority to exempt any factory or work area from this rule if he is satisfied that it is not necessary to follow
the prescribed rules in the interest of workers employed therein.

Lighting: Management of a factory has to maintain sufficient and suitable lighting, natural or artificial or
both, in all the work areas. All the glasses are to be kept clean on both the inner and outer surface and
effective measures to be taken where shadows may cause eye-strain or create a risk of accidents.
Drinking Water: In every factory, effective arrangement of water at prominent locations shall be provided.
Where more than 253 workers are ordinarily employed, provision of cool drinking water shall be made
during the hot weather.

Latrines and Urinals: Sufficient latrines and urinal facilities shall be provided at the places accessible to
workers at all times while they are duty in the factory. The State Government may prescribe the number of
latrines and urinals to be provided in any factory in proportion to the number of male and female workers
employed therein.

Safety Provisions: All possible safety measures are to be provided at the factory premises. It is the legal
responsibility of the management for maintenance and use of safety guards. It is its duty to supervise the
use of these guards by the workers. In every factory, all dangerous parts of all machines like moving parts
of prime movers, fly wheels, electric generators, motors, Rotary converts, etc. shall be provided with proper
fencing for safety measures.

Dangerous Fumes (smoke) Adequate provisions shall be made in a factory where dangerous smokes that
may occur in any chamber, tank, pipe etc.

Explosive Gases, Dust, etc. Preventive measures are to be taken to avoid possible explosives, gas leakages,
smokes, etc.

Welfare Provisions: Workers shall be provided with suitable welfare facilities like washing facilities, storing
and drying clothes, facilities for sitting, first aid appliances, and other welfare activities which might boost
the worker for satisfactory working conditions.

Penalties for Breach of Provision of the Act: Disobeying the provisions of the Act shall be liable for office and
be punishable with imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or with a fine upto Rs. 500 or both.