Key Provisions of the Factories Act, 1948
Health:
Factories must maintain high standards of cleanliness, ventilation, lighting, temperature control, and provide adequate waste disposal and potable drinking water.
Safety:
Strict safety measures are required, including machine fencing, guardrails, and emergency escape plans, particularly for hazardous processes.
Welfare:
Factories are required to provide amenities like restrooms, first-aid facilities, canteens, washing areas, and crèches for women workers.
Working Hours and Rest Intervals:
The Act limits adult workers to 48 hours per week and a maximum of 9 hours per day, with mandatory rest intervals and compensatory holidays.
Employment of Young Persons and Women:
Strict rules govern the employment of children (prohibiting those under 14) and women, including limitations on night shifts for women.
Annual Leave with Wages:
Workers are entitled to paid annual leave after completing 240 days of work in a calendar year.
Hazardous Processes:
Specific safety measures, emergency plans, and worker training are mandated for factories dealing with dangerous processes.
Registration and Licensing:
Factories require approval of plans and a license to operate, ensuring compliance with the Act's provisions.
Inspection and Supervision:
The Act provides for regular inspections to monitor and enforce compliance.
Record-Keeping:
Various registers and records, including those for adult workers, leave, and accidents, must be maintained.
Penalties:
Fines and other penalties are enforced for factories that fail to comply with the Act's regulations.
REGISTERS & ITS RULES
Compliances of the Factories Act 1948
Form 1 - Application for permission to build, expand, or use the building as a factory
Form 2 - Request for registration and license renewal issuance for the year
Form 4 - Notice is given by the occupier or the owner to report a change of Manager
Form 5 - Certificate of fitness
Form 9 - Registration of workers hired to work on or near a running machine
Form 14 - Register of Compensatory Holidays
Form 15 - Overtime Schedule/Muster Roll for Dismissed/Exempted Workers
Form 16 - Notice of working hours for adult employees
Form 17 - Registration of an adult worker
Form 18 – Child Laborers Notification period
Form 19 – Child Laborers Register Form
Form 20 - Leaves registration with wages
Form 21 - Leave Book
Form 24 - Health Register
Form 25 - Report an accident or dangerous outbreak that could lead to death or personal injury
Form 26 - Report a dangerous event that does not cause death or personal injury
Form 29 - Annual Declaration
Form 30 - The manager of each factory shall submit to an inspector or other officer appointed by the State Government on his behalf within the time limit specified, based on the feedback on the form.
Form 31 - Muster Rolls
Form 32 - Accident and Hazardous Occurrence Record
Aim and Objective for the Factories act 1948
The main purpose of the Indian Factories Act 1948 is to regulate working conditions in factories, regulate health, annual leave, safety, welfare, and to establish special provisions related to young people, women, and children working in factories. It includes:
Working hours:
According to the Adult Working Hours Regulations, adult workers cannot work more than 48 hours a week in the factory. There should be a weekly vacation
Health:
To protect the health of workers, the Factories act 1948 requires all factories to be kept clean and take all necessary precautions. The factory needs proper lighting, drainage system, ventilation, temperature, etc. Drinking water should be provided with safe preparation. Sufficient toilets and urinals need to be installed in the right place. These need to be easily accessible to workers and should be kept clean
Security:
To ensure worker safety, the Factories act 1948 fences machines, does not allow young people to work on dangerous machines, and manholes to be arranged for in reasonably sized confined spaces to allow workers to escape in an emergency Care:
For the well-being of workers, the Factories act 1948 stipulates that all factories must provide and maintain appropriate cleaning equipment for their use. Seats, first aid facilities, shelters, break rooms, dining rooms, facilities for storing and drying clothes must be available
Penalty:
Violations of the provisions of the Factories Act 1948 or rules created under that Act or written orders issued under Factories act 1948 are treated as criminal offences. The following penalties may be imposed - Up to one year in prison, A fine to be paid of up to 1 lac Rupees.
Fine and Imprisonment
Rs 500 fine may be imposed if a worker misuses the equipment in connection with the worker's welfare, safety, health, or in connection with the performance of his/her duties
Training and Development
We offer a variety of Factory Training and Development Programs to help your Employees improve their skills and stay up-to-date with the latest Factory Industry trends with Safety Rules & Regulations.