The Factories Act
An Act to consolidate and amend the law regulating labour in factories.1948
List of Chapters & Sections
PRELIMINARY
THE INSPECTING STAFF
HEALTH
SAFETY
PROVISIONS RELATING TO HAZARDOUS PROCESSES
WELFARE
WORKING HOURS OF ADULTS
EMPLOYMENT OF YOUNG PERSONS
ANNUAL LEAVE WITH WAGES
SPECIAL PROVISIONS
PENALTIES AND PROCEDURE
SUPPLEMENTAL
PRELIMINARY
1Short title, extent and commencement2Interpretation3References to time of day4Power to declare different departments to be separate factories or two or more factories to be a single factory5Power to exempt during public emergency6Approval, licensing and registration of factories7Notice by occupierTHE INSPECTING STAFF
HEALTH
SAFETY
21Fencing of machinery22Work on or near machinery in motion23Employment of young persons on dangerous machines24Striking gear and devices for cutting off power25Self-acting machines26Casing of new machinery27Prohibition of employment of women and children near cotton-openers28Hoists and lifts29Lifting machines, chains, ropes and lifting tackles30Revolving machinery31Pressure plant32Floors, stairs and means of access33Pits, sumps openings in floors, etc34Excessive weights35Protection of eyes36Precautions against dangerous fumes, gases, etc36APrecautions regarding the use of portable electric light37Explosive or inflammable dust, gas, etc38Precautions in case of fire39Power to require specifications of defective parts or tests of stability40Safety of buildings and machinery40AMaintenance of buildings40BSafety officers41Power to make rules to supplement this ChapterPROVISIONS RELATING TO HAZARDOUS PROCESSES
41AConstitution of Site Appraisal Committee41BCompulsory disclosure of information by the occupier41CSpecific responsibility of the occupier in relation to hazardous processes41DPower of Central Government to appoint Inquiry Committee41EEmergency standards41FPermissible limits of exposure of chemical and toxic substances41GWorkers’ participation in safety management41HRight of workers to warn about imminent dangerWELFARE
WORKING HOURS OF ADULTS
51Weekly hours52Weekly holidays53Compensatory holidays54Daily hours55Intervals for rest56Spread over57Night shifts58Prohibition of overlapping shifts59Extra wages for overtime60Restriction on double employment61Notice of periods of work for adults62Register of adult workers63Hours of work to correspond with notice under section 61 and register under section 6264Power to make exempting rules65Power to make exempting orders66Further restrictions on employment of womenEMPLOYMENT OF YOUNG PERSONS
67Prohibition of employment of young children68Non-adult workers to carry tokens69Certificates of fitness70Effect of certificate of fitness granted to adolescent71Working hours for children72Notice of periods of work for children73Register of child workers74Hours of work to correspond with notice under section 72 and register under section 7375Power to require medical examination76Power to make rules77Certain other provisions of law not barredANNUAL LEAVE WITH WAGES
SPECIAL PROVISIONS
85Power to apply the Act to certain premises86Power to exempt public institutions87Dangerous operations87APower to prohibit employment on account of serious hazard88Notice of certain accidents88ANotice of certain dangerous occurrences89Notice of certain diseases90Power to direct enquiry into cases of accident or disease91Power to take samples91ASafety and occupational health surveysPENALTIES AND PROCEDURE
92General penalty for offences93Liability of owner of premises in certain circumstances94Enhanced penalty after previous conviction95Penalty for obstructing Inspector96Penalty for wrongfully disclosing results of analysis under section 9196APenalty for contravention of the provisions of sections 41B, 41C and 41H97Offences by workers98Penalty for using false certificate of fitness99Penalty for permitting double employment of child100Repealed101Exemption of occupier or manager from liability in certain cases102Power of Court to make orders103Presumption as to employment104Onus as to age104AOnus of proving limits of what is practicable, etc105Cognizance of offence106Limitation of prosecutions106AJurisdiction of a court for entertaining proceedings, etc., for offenceSUPPLEMENTAL
107Appeals108Display of notices109Service of notice110Returns111Obligations of workers111ARight of workers, etc112General power to make rules113Powers of Centre to give directions114No charge for facilities and conveniences115Publication of rule116Application of Act to Government factorie117Protection to persons acting under this Act118Restrictions on disclosure of information118ARestriction on disclosure of information119Act to have effect notwithstanding anything contained in Act 37 of 1970120Repeal and savings