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Unit 3: The Factories Act, 1948

provided. The Act further prohibits the factory to use any lamp or light (other than that of
flame-proof construction) if any inflammable gas, fume or dust is likely to be present in
such chamber, tank, vat, pet, pipe, flue or other confined space.
(J) Explosive or Inflammable Materials: These measures include: (i) effective enclosures of
the plant or machinery used in the process; (ii) removal or prevention of the accumulation
of such dust, gas or vapor; (iii) exclusion or effective enclosure of all possible sources of
ignition.
(K) Precaution in Case of Fire: In every factory, all practical measures shall be taken to prevent
outbreak of fire and its spread, both internally and externally, and to provide and maintain
(i) safe means of escape for all persons in the event of fire, and (ii) tile necessary equipment
and facilities for extinguishing fire. Further effective measures should be taken to ensure
that in every factory all the workers are familiar with the means of escape in case of fire
and have been trained in the routine to be followed in such cases.

(L) Safety of Building and Machinery: If it appears to the Inspector that any building or part
of building or any part of the ways, machinery or plant in a factory is in such a condition
that it is dangerous to human life or safety, he may serve on the occupier or manager or
both the factory an order in writing specifying the measures which in his opinion should
be adopted, and requiring them to be carried out before a specified date.
(M) Maintenance of Buildings: In order to ensure safety, the inspector is empowered to serve
on tile occupier or Manager (or both) of the factory an order specifying the measures to be
taken and requiring the same to be carried out, if it appears to him that any building or
part of a building in a factory is in such a state of disrepair as is likely to lead to conditions
detrimental to the health and welfare of the workers.
(N) Safety Officers: In order to prevent accidents, the Act provides for the appointment of
Safety Officers in factories employing 1,000 or more workers or where any manufacturing
process or operations carried on, which process or operation involves any risk of bodily
injury, poisoning or disease, or any other hazard to health, to the persons employed in the
factory.

Task Assuming that you are the owner of the big chemical factory where more
than 500 workers are working. List down all the welfare measures you will
take, in your opinion, which are necessary as per the Factories Act, 1948.

3.6 Provisions relating to Hazardous Processes

Section 2 (cb) of the Factories (Amendment) Act, 1987 defines the term "hazardous process" as
any process or activity in relation to an industry specified in the First Schedule where, unless
special care is taken, raw materials used therein or the intermediate or finished products, by-
products, wastes or effluents thereof would:
(i) Cause material impairment to the health of the persons engaged in or connected therewith,
or
(ii) Result in the pollution of the general environment.
Provided that the State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, amend the First
Schedule by way of addition, omission or variation of any industry specified in the said Schedule.
The State Government has set up a committee for the critical analysis of the factory location
before granting the permission to set up the hazardous process or expansion of such factories.

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