Page 17 - DMGT306_MERCANTILE_LAWS_II

Mercantile Laws – II

Notes likely to be injurious or offensive to the workers employed therein, or any dust in substantial
quantities, effective measures shall be taken to prevent its inhalation and accumulation in any
workroom. If any exhaust appliance is necessary for the above purposes, it shall be applied as
near as possible to the point of origin of the dust, fume or other impurity and such point shall be
enclosed as far as possible.
(v) Artificial Humidification

Section 15 (1) lays down that in respect off all factories in which the humidity of the air is
artificially increased the State Government may make rules:

 prescribing standard of humidification;
 regulating the methods used for artificially increasing the humidity of the air;
 directing prescribed tests for determining the humidity of the air to be correctly carried
out and recorded;

 prescribing methods to be adopted for securing adequate ventilation and cooling of the
air in the workroom.

(vi) Overcrowding

To eliminate overcrowding, the Factories Act, 1948 prescribes that no room of any factory shall
be overcrowded to the extent it is injurious to the health of the workers. The Act further prescribes
that in every workroom, each worker should be provided with a minimum space of 9.9 cubic
meters which was there on the commencement of this Act, 1948 or 1.2 cubic meters after such
commencement (Section 16). No account shall however be taken of any space which is more than
1.2 meters above the level of the floor of the room for the aforesaid purpose. If the Chief
Inspector by order in writing so requires, there shall be posted in each workroom of a factory a
notice specifying the maximum number of workers who may, in compliance with the Provisions
of this section, be employed in the room. The Chief Inspector may, by order in writing exempt,
subject to such conditions, if any, as he may thing fit to impose, any workroom from the
provisions of this section, if he is satisfied that compliance therewith in respect of the room is
unnecessary in the interest of the health of the workers employed therein.
(vii) Lighting

Section 17 (1) provides that in every part of the factory, where workers are working or passing,
there shall be provided and maintained sufficient and suitable lighting, natural, artificial or
both.

(viii) Drinking Water

Section 18 deals with the provisions relating to arrangements for drinking water in factories.
Sub-section (1) provides that in every factory effective arrangements shall be made to provide
and maintain at suitable points conveniently situated for all workers employed therein, a
sufficient supply of wholesome drinking water.

(ix) Conservancy Arrangements

Section 19 provides that in every factory there shall be provided and maintained, separate
arrangement for toilets for male and female workers at convenient places. These should be
adequately lighted, ventilated and maintained in a clean sanitary condition.

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