Explain the provisions under the Factories Act regarding safety of workers?

Chapter IV – Sections 21 to 41 provide safety provisions which are absolute and obligatory. In every
factory, the occupier is bound to follow them:

1. Fencing of machinery –
A. Dangerous parts of every machine should be securely fenced by safeguards of substantial
construction.
B. Examination of any part of machinery shall be done by specially trained adult male
workers, wearing tight fitting clothes.
C. Name of such person shall be recorded in the specially maintained register.
D. Handing of any moving pulley should not be allowed to be done unless all the precautions
prescribed under this Act are fully observed.
E. No woman or young person should be allowed to clean, lubricate or adjust any part of
machinery while it is in motion or when it would expose them to risk of injury from the
moving machinery or any adjacent machinery.
F. The State Government is empowered to make rules for further precautions relating to
machinery for securing the safety of workers.
2. Employment of young persons on dangerous machines – No young person shall work on a
dangerous machine unless he is fully instructed about the dangers and sufficiently trained to work
on such a machine or under the supervision of knowledgeable and experienced person.
3. Striking gear and devices for cutting off power –
A. Suitable arrangements should be made for preventing the moving belt from creeping
from fast pulley to loose pulley on machinery driven by belts.
B. In case electricity is being used, suitable device should be provided to prevent accidental
starting of the machine.
4. Self-acting machines – There should be clear distance of 45 cms between the self-acting machine
and the fixed structure if any person is likely to pass from there.
5. Casing of new machinery –
A. All new power-driven machinery installed in a factory shall be adequately guarded to
prevent against any danger.
B. Anybody selling or giving on hire, machinery not compliant with the provisions of this Act,
shall be punishable with imprisonment of maximum 3 months or with fine of maximum
Rs.5000 or both.
C. The State Government is empowered to make further rules in this regard.
6. Prohibition of employment of women and children on cotton openers –
A. No woman or child shall be employed for pressing cotton on a cotton opener unless the
feed end of the cotton opener is in a separate room away from the delivery end.
B. The Inspector may allow in writing that they can be employed on the side of the partition
where feed end is situated.
7. Hoists and pulley –
A. They should be in good construction, sound material and adequate strength.
B. They should be examined by a competent person at least once in 6 months and results
should be maintained in prescribed register.
C. The maximum safe working load should be indicated.
D. The cage for carrying persons shall have a gate with interlocking arrangement.
E. Every hoist-way and lift-way shall be constructed so that no person or thing gets trapped
between any part of fixed structure.
 F. Additional requirements provided in the Act should be complied with.
G. The State Govt has powers to relax the requirements.
8. Lifting machines, chains, ropes and lifting tackles –
A. They should be of goods construction, sound material and adequate strength.
B. They should be examined by a competent person at least once a year and results should
be maintained in prescribed register.
C. The maximum safe working load should be indicated.
D. The state Govt has powers to prescribe further requirements or grant exemptions.
9. Revolving machinery –
A. Peripheral speed of every grinding machine or abrasive wheel shall be displayed by a
notice indicating the maximum safe working period.
B. Measures should be taken to ensure that maximum safe working speed is not exceeded.
10. Pressure plant –
A. Measures should be taken to ensure that safe working pressure is not exceeded.
B. The State govt has powers to make rules regarding examination, testing and prescribing
safety measures.
C. The State Govt also has powers to grant exemption from the above provisions.
11. Floors, stairs and means of access –
A. They should be of sound construction and properly maintained.
B. They should be kept free of obstructions.
C. Safety of persons working at heights should be ensured.
12. Pits, sumps, Opening in floors –
A. They should be securely covered or fenced of they are likely to be a source of danger.
B. The State Govt. can exempt any factory or class of factories from these provisions.
13. Excessive weights –
A. No worker shall be asked to lift or carry or move any load which is likely to cause him
injury.
B. The State Govt has powers to make rules regarding weights which may be lifted, carried,
or moved by adult men or women, adolescents and children.
14. Protection of eyes –
A. If the manufacturing process involves risk or injury to the eyes from particles or fragments
thrown off in the process, effective screens or goggles should be provided for protection
of the person/s.
B. The same applies in case of risk to the eyes due to exposure to excessive light.
15. Precautions against dangerous fumes, gases etc
A. No person shall be asked to enter any confined space such as chamber, pipe etc which
involves risk from fumes, gases, etc. unless –
i. The place is provided with another way out or
ii. The fumes and gases are removed or
iii. Space is certified fit by a competent person or
iv. Suitable breathing apparatus is provided to the person along with a belt with rope
is provided with the other end in the hands of another person outside the
confined space.
B. No worker should be allowed to use inside any chamber, tank or pit etc any portable
electric light exceeding 24 volts. If there is a likelihood of inflammable gas, then light
source of flameproof construction should be used.
16. Explosive or inflammable dust, gas etc
 If the manufacturing process produces dust, gas or fumes or vapour which is likely to explode or
ignite, all practicable preventive measures should be taken to prevent it according to the
provisions of this act.

17. Precautions in case of fire –

A. Every factory shall be provided with –
i. Safe means of escape
ii. Equipment and facilities for extinguishing fire.
B. Every worker should be trained in fire fighting and they should be familiar with means of
escape.
C. The Chief Inspector of factories has powers to suggest additional measures to be taken
depending on the nature of work, construction of factory and special risk to the life or
safety of workers.
18. Specifications of machinery, building etc
A. The Inspector has powers to lay down specifications for safety and maintenance of
buildings and machinery.
B. He also has powers relating to tests of stability or defective parts
C. The Inspector can ask the employer to conduct tests and carry-on repairs.
19. Safety Officers –
A. In every factory where 1000 or more workers are employed, or if the State Govt is of the
opinion that there is risk involved in the manufacturing process, the State Govt may
declare that the prescribed number of safety officers should be appointed.