Legal Provisions regarding Health          

The Factories Act, 1948, lays emphasis on the preventive measures which are following

1. Cleanliness

All of factory shall be kept clean and free from effluvia. Dirt ought to be removed daily. Benches, passages, staircases and the floor of the workroom ought to be cleaned every day so that there is no accumulation of dirt. Workroom floors ought to be washed at least once a week, with some kind of disinfecting fluid. Walls, ceilings, partitions, windows, doors etc., be painted, and varnished periodically.

2. Wastes

There ought to be effective provision for the disposal and/ or treatment of waste and effluents.

3. Ventilation and temperature

In the factory every workroom must have good natural ventilation, permitting circulation of fresh air. The room temperature should be set at a level comfortable to employees. The walls and roofs should be of such material & of such design so as to keep the temperature low. High temperature must be controlled by spraying, whitewashing and insulating the factory premises by screening outside walls, roofs and windows.

4. Dust and fumes

Effective arrangements ought to be made to prevent or drop the inhalation & accumulation of fumes and dust. Exhaust appliances must be employed near the place of origin of fumes and dust.

5. Artificial humidification

In cotton textile & cigarette industrialized units where artificial humidification is utilized, State Government rules should be followed. Water utilized for artificial humidification ought to be appropriately purified.

6. Overcrowding

In the factory, no room should be overcrowded. There must be at least 14.2 cubic meters of space for all workmen.

7. Lighting

The factory must have adequate and suitable lighting arrangements -natural and artificial both skylights and glazed windows utilized to light the workroom should be kept clean. Provisions should be made for the avoidance of glare & the formation of shadows in the work spot.

8. Drinking water

The factory ought to provide wholesome drinking water at appropriate, convenient points. All of such points are marked 'drinking water' visibly in a language understood by majority of employees. All such point should be away (not within 6 meters range) from, latrine, urinals, open drains, spittoons etc. Where the factory employs more than 250 workers, appropriate arrangements ought to be made to provide cool drinking water during the summer months.

9. Latrines and urinals

The latrines and urinals  are following (a) maintained separately for male & female workers, (b) having adequate enclosed space, (c) conveniently located and accessible to every workmen, (d) sufficiently lighted and ventilated, (e) cleanly kept at every times, (f) maintained accurately by employing sweepers for this purpose.

10. Spittoons

An adequate number of spittoons should be provided at convenient places in all of factory and these should be maintained in a neat and hygienic condition.