The Factories Act
Objectives of Factories Act (1948): * The Act has been enacted primarily with the object of protecting workers employed in factories against industrial and occupational hazards. * For that purpose, it seeks to impose upon the owner or the occupier certain obligations to protect the workers and to secure for them employment in conditions conductive to their health and safety.
Provisions regarding Health:
The efficient working process needs sound health of these persons engaged therein. Unless a worker is physically and mentally healthy he cannot perform his duties effectively, properly and smoothly. 1. Cleanliness (Section 11) : * Accumulation of dirt and refuse shall be removed daily by sweeping * Floor of work room must be cleaned regularly * Wet floor must be effectively drained * All inside walls, partitions, ceiling tops of rooms, walls sides, top passages and staircase should be maintained properly. 2. Disposal of wastes and effluents (Section 12): * There should be effective arrangements for the treatment of wastes and effluents due to the manufacturing process carried on therein so as to render those innocuous and for their disposal. 3. Ventilation and Temperature: * Effective and suitable provision in work rooms * Such temperature as will secure to workers therein reasonable conditions of comfort and prevent injury to health * Walls and roofs shall be of materials and so designed that such temperature shall not exceed as low as possible 4. Dust and Fumes : * Effective measures to be adopted to prevent inhalation and accumulation 5. Artificial Humidification: * A humid condition is necessary for operation: water used in that process should be of drinkable nature. 6. Over Crowding: (Section 16): * No rooms in the factory should have more workers which may cause health problem. Every building should have at least 500 cubic feet space. 7. Lighting: * There must be efficient and sufficient supply of light on both nature and artificial * Windows must be kept clean * The glairiness should not cause any defects to the workers 8. Drinking Water * Every factory must have good arrangements for drinking water with suitable points and must be maintained properly 9. Latrines and urinals: * Sufficient latrines and urinals of prescribed types shall be provided conveniently situated and accessible to workers * Separate enclosed accommodation for men and women * Must be maintained in clean sanitary condition and sweepers shall be employed for maintaining 10. Spittoons: * Sufficient number of spittoons in convention place in clean, hygienic condition to be provided. Any worker who contravenes by spitting shall be punishable with the fine of Rs.5/-

Provisions regarding Safety: Fencing of machinery | Work on machinery in motion | Cashing of new machines | Protection of eyes | Hoists and lifts | Self acting machinery | Excessive weights | Pressure plant | Precautions against dangerous fumes | Floors, stairs and means of access | Precautions in case of fire | Explosives of inflammable gas | Safety of buildings & machinery | Maintenance of buildings |

Provisions regarding Welfare: Washing facilities | Facilities for sitting | First aid appliances | Canteens | Rest rooms and shelters | Crèches | Facilities for storing and drying clothing | |

Working Hours for Adults: * 51 - Weekly hours * 52 - Weekly holidays * 53 - Compensatory holidays * 54 - Daily hours * 55 - Intervals for rest * 56 - Spread over * 57 - Night shifts * 58 - Prohibition of overlapping shifts * 59 - Extra wages for overtime * 60 - Restriction on double employment * 61 - Notice of periods of work for adults * 62 - Register of adult workers * 63 - Hours of work to correspond with notice under section 61 and register under section 62. * 64 - Power to make exempting rules * 65 - Power to make exempting orders * 66Further restrictions on employment of women

Employment of Women:
The following are the special provisions of the Factories Act of 1948 given to the women employees: * No exemption from the provisions of section 54 relating to daily hours may be granted in respect of women * No women shall be required to work or allowed to work in any factory except between the hours of 6.00 am to 7.00 pm * Exemption may be obtained to work between 5.00 am to 10.00 pm * There shall be no change of shift except after a weekly holidays or any other holidays * No women shall be allowed to clean, lubricate or adjust any part of machinery while machine is moving or adjusting when is in motion * Women should be deployed near cotton opener unless if the feed end of a cotton opener is in a room separated from the delivery end by a partition extending to the roof * The state government may make rules prescribing the maximum weights which may be lifted carried or moved by women and adolescent

Payment of Wages Act:
Objectives:
* The payment of Wages Act, 1936 was passed to regulate the payment of wages to certain classes of persons employed in industry. * It also provides against irregularities in payment of wages and unauthorized deductions there from by the employers. * Further it ensures payment of wages in a particular form and at regular intervals without unauthorized deductions Time of Payment:
The wages of every person is paid. When less than 1000 persons are employed shall be paid before the expiry of the 7th day of the following month. When more than 1000 workers, before the expiry of the 10th day of the following month (Section 5)

Authorized Deductions:
Deduction such as fine, deduction for amenities and services supplied by the employee, advance paid, over payment of wages, loan, granted for house-building or other purposes, income tax payable, in pursuance of the order of the court, provident fund contributions, co-operatives societies premium for life insurance , employee state insurance contribution etc,.