The Factories Act, 1948 Chapter-IV SAFETY

1. The Factories Act, 1948 Chapter-IV SAFETY

2. Every dangerous part of any machinery (prime mover, flywheel, water turbine, electric generator, motor, transmission machinery) shall be securely fenced by safeguards, maintained and kept in position while the machine is working. Proviso: To determine whether any machinery is in such position , account not to be taken of such occasion where it is necessary to make examination, to carry lubrication when machinery or transmission machinery is in motion State Government may make rules prescribing further precautions or exempt any particular machinery from these provisions. Sec 21: Fencing of machinery Further Remarks: In State of Gujarat v. JethalalGhelabhai Patel case, Supreme court held that when it is the duty of the manager or occupier to keep the guard in position when the machine is working and when it appears that he has not done so, it will be for him to establish that notwithstanding this he is not liable.

3. 1)Where it is necessary to examine, lubricate or adjust any machinery while it is in motion, it shall be made carried out by a specially trained adult male worker and such worker shall not handle belt or moving pulley unless belt is not more than 15 cm in width, laced, in good repair, pulley is not a fly-wheel or balance wheel, reasonable clearance between pulley and fixed plant structure, secure foothold, handhold provided, ladder is fixed. 2)Women and young person not allowed to clean,lubricate, adjust any part of prime mover which is in motion. 3)State Government may by notification prohibit any person from cleaning, lubricating, adjusting machinery when it is in motion. Sec 22: Work on or near machinery in motion

4. It is not allowed unless he is fully instructed as to dangers arising out of it and precautions to be observed and received sufficient training and is under adequate supervision. 23: Employment of young persons on dangerous machines These are to be provided and maintained. 24:Striking gear and devices for cutting off power No traversing part of a self-acting machine be allowed to run on its inward or outward traverse within a distance of forty-five centimetres from any fixed structure. 25: Self –acting machines

5. 1)(a&b)Every screw, bolt or key or spur, worm or other toothed gearing should be encased or guarded to prevent danger. 2)whoever sells, lets on hire any machinery and does not comply with the above provisions – punishable 6 months imprisonment or 500 fine or both 3)State Government to make rules specifying further safeguards. 26:Casing of new machinery It is prohibited. Provided- Feed end is separated from delivery end by a partition extending to roof, they may be employed on the side of feed end. 27:Prohibition of employment of women and children near cotton-openers

6. 1) Hoists and lifts should be of good mechanical construction and properly maintained and examined by competent person every 6 months. Hoist way, lift way is to be protected by enclosure. Max. safe load to be mentioned and not exceeded. Cage of hoist or lift fitted with gate from each side which is to be provided with interlocking device to secure gate. 2)Cage to be supported by 2 ropes capable of carrying whole weight. Efficient devices capable of supporting in the event of breakage of rope, automatic device to prevent cage from over-running to be provided. 3)For lift, hoist installed before commencement of act,and does not comply with the provisions, chief inspector may permit it subject to such conditions as he thinks fit. 4)State Government may by order direct that such requirement shall not apply to such class or description of hoist or lift. 28:Hoists and lifts

7. 1) Lifting machines, chains, ropes and lifting tackles shall be of good construction, properly maintained, examined atleast once in 12 months, not loaded beyond safe working load, effective measures to be taken to ensure crane does not approach 6 mts of place where any person is working. 2) State Government may make rules prescribing further precautions or exempt any particular machinery from these provisions. 29:Lifting machines, chains, ropes and lifting tackles In a factory where there is process of grinding- a notice to be affixed indicating max. safe working peripheral speed , speed of shaft/spidle, diameter of pulley upon such shaft. The speeds shall not be exceeded and effective measures to be taken to ensure this. 30:Revolving machinery 1)Any plant or machinery(P&M) is operated at above atmospheric pressure, measures to be taken not to exceed safe working pressure. 2) State Government make rules for testing P&M and prescribe safety measures. 3)State Government by rules may exempt any P&M from such provisions. 31:Pressure plant

8. These should be properly maintained, kept free from obstructions and where necessary provided handrails to ensure safety. If person has to work at a height, fencing to be provided to ensure safety. 32:Floors, stairs and means of access All these which are a source of danger to be securely covered or fenced. State Government may exempt any factories from compliance of these provisions. 33:Pits, sumps, opening in floors etc No persons employed to carry excessive weights likely to cause injury. State Government may make rules prescribing max. weight which may be carried. 34:Excessive weights

9. Where the manufacturing process involves risk of injury to eyes from particles or from exposure to excessive light, State Government make rules requiring provision of effective screen or suitable goggles. 35:Protection of eyes No person required/allowed to enter any chamber, tank, pit, vat or other confined space where fumes, gas, dust likely to be present unless there is an effective means of egress or until all measures taken to remove them to bring down its level to permissible limit and unless- A certificate from competent person that space is free from dangerous fumes, gases or Such person wearing breathing apparatus and belt securely attached. 36:Precautions against dangerous fumes, gases etc No portable electric light or appliance with voltage exceeding 24 volts be permitted inside chamber, tank or confined place unless adequate safety measures provided. No lamp or light to be used if any inflammable gas, fume is likely to be present in a chamber or space other than flame proof construction. 36A:Precautions regarding the use of portable electric light

10. 1)If manufacturing process produces dust, gas, fume likely to cause explosion- measures to be taken to prevent it by effective enclosure of P&M and all sources of ignition, removal of accumulation of gas, fume. 2)Where P&M cannot withstand the probable pressure with such explosion- measures to be taken to restrict spread of explosion by chokes, vents etc 3)Where P&M contains explosive or inflammable gas under pressure greater than atmospheric pressure, effective measures to be taken before opening it. 4)Plant, tank vessel which contained explosive substance shall not be welded, soldered unless adequate measures taken to remove such substance. 5)State Government may by rules exempt these provisions for certain factories. 37:Explosive or inflammable dust, gas etc.

11. 1)All means to be taken to prevent fire and maintain safe means of escape in event of fire and necessary equipment for extinguishing fire. 2)Measures to be taken to ensure all workers are familiar with means of escape and adequately trained in the routine to be followed in such cases. 3)State Government may make rules requiring the measures to be adopted. 4)If Chief Inspector is of opinion that the measures provided are inadequate, he may require provision of additional measures. 38:Precautions in case of fire If it appears to Inspector that building, machinery, plant is condition dangerous to human life/safety- serves order requiring to furnish drawings, specifications to determine whether building can be used with safety or to carry out test as specified and inform the Inspector. 39:Power to require specifications of defective parts or tests of stability 1) If it appears to Inspector that building, machinery, plant is condition dangerous to human life/safety- serves order specifying measures to be adopted. 2) If it appears to Inspector that building, machinery, plant involves imminent danger- serve order prohibiting its use until repaired/altered 40:Safety of buildings and machinery

12. Inspector may order the occupier or manager to take such measures as specified by him if it appears to him that the factory is in state of disrepair 40A:Maintenance of buildings If one thousand or more workers are ordinarily employed or manufacturing process involves health hazard to persons employed- Occupier to provide for Safety officers as prescribed by the State Government. 40B:Safety Officers The State Government may make rules for securing the safety of persons employed. 41:Power to make rule to supplement this chapter