Health Provisions in Factories Act,1948

 A clean and healthy workplace is a necessity to perform work hassle-free, effectively, and efficiently. A healthy environment makes the workers’ productivity better and can contribute largely towards the organization’s objective. Provisions regarding it are given in the Factories Act, 1948. 

Cleanliness-

Section 11 of the Act talks about Cleanliness, every factory shall be kept clean and every possible precaution shall be taken to avoid any nuisance. Following are the precautions which shall be taken in a factory-

• All the accumulation of dust, dirt shall be removed from the floors, benches, rooms, staircases, and passages by way of sweeping or by any other adequate method. All such dust and dust shall be disposed of in a suitable manner.

• Once in a week all the floors of work-room shall be cleaned by using an effective method such as by washing, using a disinfectant, or any other which is effective.

• If a floor is bound to get wet in the course of any manufacturing process, then an effective drainage system shall be provided and maintained.

• Inside walls, partitions, ceilings, or tops of rooms shall be painted or with washable water print or repainted or revarnished within the specified time limit according to (d)(i,ia,ii,iii) of Section 11.

• Similarly, all the doors, window frames, metallic framework, shutters shall be painted and varnished as per sub-clause(dd) of this Section.

Disposal of waste and effluents- 

According to Section 12(1), every factory shall make effective arrangements for the treatment of wastes and effluents produced from the manufacturing process. 

Ventilation and temperature- 

According to Section 13 of the Factories Act, every factory shall take effective measures for securing adequate ventilation by circulation of fresh air and maintaining of such temperature to secure comfort and prevent injury to health.

Dust and Fume-

According to Section 14 of the Factories Act, every factory where dust, fumes, or any other hazardous substance is getting produced from the result of the manufacturing process, and if it might affect the health of workers then adequate measures shall be taken to curb it.

Artificial humidification-

Section 15 of the Factories Act gives power to the State Government to make rules in all factories where the humidity of the air is artificially increased.

Overcrowding-

Section 16 of the Factories Act, prohibits overcrowding in any room in the factory to an extent injurious to the health of the workers employed therein.

Lighting-

According to Section 17 of the Factories Act, there shall be sufficient and suitable lighting, natural, artificial, or both maintained in the parts where workers are working or passing.

Drinking-Water-

Section 18 of the Factories Act, provides that there shall be effective arrangements to provide and maintain safe drinking water in factories. All drinking water areas shall be marked in the language which the workers understand.

Latrines and Urinals-

According to Section 19 of the Factories Act, in every factory, there shall be access and accommodation of sufficient urinals and latrines. There shall be separate latrines and urinals for male and female workers. All the latrines and urinals shall be kept clean and sweepers shall be employed for the purpose of cleaning the latrines, urinals, and work-places.