Industrial Safety and Health⁷

The Factories Act, 1948 (Factories Act), provides for the health, safety, welfare, service conditions, and other aspects of workers in factories. It applies to all factories wherein a manufacturing process is carried on by employing more than 10 people and working with the aid of power or employing 20 people and working without the aid of power. The Act aims at protecting workers employed in factories from unfair exploitation by the employer and improving working conditions in factories. The Act also covers the following:

• Provisions relating to hazardous processes
• Permissible levels of certain chemical substances in the work environment
• Facilities and conveniences
• Working hours
• Overtime wages
• Employment of women and adolescents, and night shifts
• Weekly offs and annual leaves
• Notice of accidents, diseases, etc.

Each State Government is empowered to make rules for the purpose of this Act. The Factories Act, 1948, should be read with the respective State Rules. State legislations, such as the Shops Acts, do not apply to workmen in a factory or in an establishment attached to a factory to whom the benefits of the Factories Act are applicable.

• 7.Industrial Safety & Health, Acts and Rules, Ministry of Labor & Employment, https://labour.gov.in/industrial-safety-health, as accessed on 17 July 2023