Executive Summary

The Factories Act regulates the conditions of work (health, safety, etc) in factories. It safeguards
the interests of the workers and it is for the welfare of the factory workers. The act received the
assent of Governor General of India on September 23, 1948 and came into force on April 1,
1949. This act was further amended many times. The act is applicable to any factory in which ten
or more than ten workers are working. The act has a provision in respect of:
a) Employee health and safety,
b) Hours of work,
c) Sanitary conditions and wholesome work environments,
d) Employee welfare,
e) Leave with wages, etc.
The project is done to study the implementation of the provisions of the factories act of 1948.
The effect of various provisions on the working conditions, productivity, work life balance etc.
The project is done by surveying the employees of different organizations. In the process of the
survey I also studied how different organizations have modified the provisions and also how they
have executed the provisions in the actual working conditions. The result of all there effort is
studied by analyzing the response of the employees on various as aspects such as working
condition, safety, remunerations, compensation etc.
In the analysis I found that overall all the organizations have taken necessary minimum steps to
protect the interest of the employes. The primary reason for this, which I understood in the
survey is not only mandatory obligation put by government but also it is resulting in higher
productivity and decrease in absenteeism.
Following are some of the standard measures observed in the organizations
Fencing of machinery
Each and every dangerous hazardous and moving part of machinery shall be securely fenced by
safeguards of substantial Construction, which shall be constantly maintained and kept in position
while the parts of machinery they are fencing are in motion or in use.

Work on near machinery in motion

There in any factory it becomes necessary to examine any part of machinery, such examination
or operation shall be made or carried out only by a specially trained adult male worker wearing
tight fitting clothing. Such worker shall not handle a belt at a moving pulley unless the belt is not
more than fifteen centimetres in width.
No woman or young person shall be allowed to clean, lubricate or adjust any part of a prime
mover or of any transmission machinery while the prime mover or transmission machinery is in
motion.
Employment of young persons on dangerous machines
No young person shall be required or allowed to work at any unless he has been fully instructed
as to the dangers arising in connection with the machine and the precautions to be observed and
has received sufficient training in work at the machine.
Striking gear and devices for cutting off power
In every factory- (a) suitable striking gear or other efficient mechanical appliance shall be
provided and maintained and used to move driving belts to and from fast and loose pulleys which
form part of the transmission machinery, such gear or appliances shall be so constructed, placed
and maintained as to prevent the belt from creeping back on to the fast pulley.
Self-acting machines
No traversing part of a self-acting machine in any factory and no material carried thereon shall, if
the apace over which it runs it a space over which any person is liable to pass, whether in the
course of his employment or otherwise, be allowed to run on its outward or inward traverse
within a distance of forty-five centimetres from any fixed structure which is not part of the
machine.
Pits, sumps, openings in floors etc
In every factory fixed vessel, sump, tank, and pit or opening in the ground or in a floor which, by
reasons of its depth, situation, construction or contents, is or may be a source of danger, shall be
either securely covered or securely fenced.

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