THE FACTORIES ACT, 1948
A comprehensive legislation regulating labor conditions in factories, ensuring worker safety, health, and welfare across India
Act Overview
📅 Enactment Date
September 23, 1948 (Effective from April 1, 1949)
🏭 Applicability
Factories with 10+ workers (with power) or 20+ workers (without power)
🎯 Primary Objective
Regulate labor conditions and ensure worker safety, health, and welfare
⚖️ Enforcement
State governments through factory inspectors
💰 Penalties
Up to ₹2 lakh fine and/or 2 years imprisonment
🔄 Amendments
Multiple amendments in 1987, 2016, and ongoing modernization
Key Objectives
🛡️
Worker Protection
Protect workers from hazardous working conditions
⏰
Work Regulations
Regulate working hours, leave, and overtime
🏥
Health & Safety
Ensure health, safety, and welfare measures
⚖️
Prevent Exploitation
Prevent exploitation and promote decent work environments
Key Provisions
🏥Health
- ✓Cleanliness and adequate ventilation
- ✓Proper lighting and temperature control
- ✓Waste disposal and dust prevention
- ✓Drinking water and sanitation facilities
🛡️Safety
- ✓Mandatory fencing of machinery
- ✓Protection from dangerous parts
- ✓Fire and explosion precautions
- ✓Regular inspection and maintenance
❤️Welfare
- ✓Restrooms and canteens (250+ workers)
- ✓Creches (30+ women workers)
- ✓First-aid facilities
- ✓Welfare officers (500+ workers)
⏰Working Hours
- ✓Max 48 hours/week, 9 hours/day
- ✓Weekly rest day mandatory
- ✓30 min break after 5 hours
- ✓Double wages for overtime
👥Women & Children
- ✓No children below 14 years
- ✓Adolescents need fitness certificate
- ✓Women: No work 7 PM - 6 AM
- ✓Restricted from hazardous work
📋Registration
- ✓Register with Chief Inspector
- ✓Maintain records and returns
- ✓Display notices
- ✓Regular inspections
Chapters and Sections
CHAPTER I: PRELIMINARY
- 1Short title, extent and commencement
- 2Interpretation
- 3References to time of day
- 4Power to declare different departments
- 5Power to exempt during public emergency
- 6Approval, licensing and registration
- 7Notice by occupier
CHAPTER II: THE INSPECTING STAFF
- 7AGeneral duties of the occupier
- 8General duties of manufacturers
- 9Inspectors
- 10Powers of Inspectors
- 10ACertifying surgeons
CHAPTER III: HEALTH
- 11Cleanliness
- 12Disposal of wastes and effluents
- 13Ventilation and temperature
- 14Dust and fume
- 15Artificial humidification
- 16Overcrowding
- 17Lighting
- 18Drinking water
- 19Latrines and urinals
- 20Spittoons
CHAPTER IV: SAFETY
- 21Fencing of machinery
- 22Work on or near machinery in motion
- 23Employment of young persons on dangerous machines
- 24Striking gear and devices
- 25Self-acting machines
- 26Casing of new machinery
- 27Hoists and lifts
- 28Lifting machines, chains, ropes
- 29Revolving machinery
- 30Pressure plant
- 31Floors, stairs and means of access
- 32Pits, sumps, openings in floors
- 33Excessive weights
- 34Protection of eyes
- 35Precautions against dangerous fumes
- 36Explosive or inflammable dust, gas
- 37Precautions in case of fire
- 38Safety of buildings and machinery
- 39Safety officers
- 40Power to make rules
CHAPTER IVA: HAZARDOUS PROCESSES
- 41Constitution of Site Appraisal Committee
- 42Compulsory disclosure of information
- 43Specific responsibility of the occupier
- 44Power of Central Government to appoint Inquiry Committee
- 45Emergency standards
- 46Permissible limits of exposure
- 47Workers' participation in safety management
- 48Right of workers to warn about imminent danger
CHAPTER V: WELFARE
- 49Washing facilities
- 50Facilities for storing and drying clothing
- 51Facilities for sitting
- 52First-aid appliances
- 53Canteens
- 54Shelters, rest rooms and lunch rooms
- 55Creches
- 56Welfare officers
CHAPTER VI: WORKING HOURS OF ADULTS
- 57Weekly hours
- 58Weekly holidays
- 59Compensatory holidays
- 60Daily hours
- 61Intervals for rest
- 62Spread over
- 63Night shifts
- 64Prohibition of overlapping shifts
- 65Extra wages for overtime
- 66Restriction on double employment
- 67Notice of periods of work for adults
- 68Register of adult workers
- 69Further restrictions on employment of women
CHAPTER VII: EMPLOYMENT OF YOUNG PERSONS
- 70Prohibition of employment of young children
- 71Non-adult workers to carry tokens
- 72Certificates of fitness
- 73Effect of certificate of fitness
- 74Working hours for children
- 75Notice of periods of work for children
- 76Register of child workers
- 77Power to require medical examination
CHAPTER VIII: ANNUAL LEAVE WITH WAGES
- 78Application of Chapter
- 79Annual leave with wages
- 80Wages during leave period
- 81Payment in advance in certain cases
- 82Mode of recovery of unpaid wages
- 83Power to make rules
- 84Power to exempt factories
CHAPTER IX: SPECIAL PROVISIONS
- 85Power to apply the Act to certain premises
- 86Power to exempt public institutions
- 87Dangerous operations
- 88Power to prohibit employment
- 89Notice of certain accidents
- 90Notice of certain dangerous occurrences
- 91Notice of certain diseases
- 92Power to direct enquiry
- 93Power to take samples
- 94Penalty for offences
- 95Enhanced penalty after previous conviction
- 96Penalty for obstructing Inspector
- 97Offences by workers
CHAPTER X: PENALTIES AND PROCEDURE
- 98Penalty for offences
- 99Liability of owner of premises
- 100Enhanced penalty after previous conviction
- 101Penalty for obstructing Inspector
- 102Penalty for wrongfully disclosing results
- 103Penalty for contravention
- 104Penalty for using false certificate
- 105Penalty for permitting double employment
- 106Exemption of occupier or manager
- 107Power of Court to make orders
- 108Presumption as to employment
- 109Onus as to age
- 110Cognizance of offences
- 111Limitation of prosecutions
- 112Jurisdiction of a court
CHAPTER XI: SUPPLEMENTAL
- 113Appeals
- 114Display of notices
- 115Service of notices
- 116Returns
- 117Obligations of workers
- 118Right of workers
- 119General power to make rules
- 120Powers of Centre to give directions
Significance & Impact
⚖️
Balanced Approach
Balances industrial productivity with worker rights
🛡️
Safety Standards
Sets minimum standards for safe working conditions
🌍
National Coverage
Applies across India with state-level enforcement
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