Some of
the provisions relating to the Labour Welfare as mentioned in the Factories
Act, 1948 are: (1) Washing Facilities (2) Facilities for storing and drying
clothing (3) Facilities for sitting (4) First aid appliances (5) Canteens (6)
Shelters, rest rooms and lunch rooms (7) Creches and (8) Welfare officers
The Factories Act, 1948 contains the following provisions relating
to Labour Welfare:
(1) Washing Facilities:
In every
factory (a) adequate and suitable facilities shall be provided and maintained
for the use of workers; (b) separate and adequately screened facilities shall
be provided for the use of male and female workers; (c) such facilities shall
be easily accessible and shall be kept clean.
(2) Facilities for storing and drying clothing:
In every
factory provision for suitable place should exist for keeping clothing not worn
during working hours and for the drying of wet clothing.
(3) Facilities for sitting:
In every
factory, suitable arrangements for sitting shall be provided and maintained for
all workers who are obliged to work in a standing position so that the workers
may take advantage of any opportunity for rest which may occur in the course of
work. If in any factory workers can efficiently do their work in a sitting
position, the Chief inspector may require the occupier of the factory to
provide such seating arrangements as may be practicable.
(4) First aid appliances:
Under the
Act, the provisions for first-aid appliances are obligatory. At least one
first-aid box or cupboard with the prescribed contents should be maintained for
every 150 workers. It should be readily accessible during all working hours.
Each
first-aid box or cupboard shall be kept in the charge of a separate responsible
person who holds a certificate in the first-aid treatment recognised by the
State Government and who shall always be readily available during the working
hours of the factory.
In every
factory wherein more than 500 workers are ordinarily employed there shall be
provided and maintained an ambulance room of the prescribed size containing the
prescribed equipment. The ambulance room shall be in the charge of properly
qualified medical and nursing staff. These facilities shall always be made
readily available during the working hours of the factory.
(5) Canteens:
In every
factory employing more than 250 workers, the State government may make rules
requiring that a canteen or canteens shall be provided for the use of workers.
Such rules may provide for (a) the date by which the canteen shall be provided,
(b) the standards in respect of constitution, accommodation, furniture and
other equipment of the canteen; (c) the foodstuffs to be served therein and
charges which may be paid thereof; (d) the constitution of a managing committee
for the canteens and representation of the workers in the management of the
canteen; (e) the items of expenditure in the running of the canteen which are
not to be taken into account in fixing the cost of foodstuffs and which shall
be borne by the employer; (f) the delegation to the Chief inspector, of the
power to make rules under clause (c).
(6) Shelters, rest rooms and lunch rooms:
In every
factory wherein more than 150 workers are ordinarily employed, there shall be a
provision for shelters, rest room and a suitable lunch room where workers can
eat meals brought by them with provision for drinking water.
Where a lunch
room exists, no worker shall eat any food in the work room. Such shelters or
rest rooms or lunch rooms shall be sufficiently lighted and ventilated and
shall be maintained in a cool and clean condition.
(7) Creches:
In every
factory wherein more than 30 women workers are ordinarily employed there shall
be provided and maintained a suitable room or rooms for the use of children
under the age of six years of such women.
Such rooms
shall provide adequate accommodation, shall be adequately lighted and ventilated,
shall be maintained in clean and proper sanitary conditions and shall be under
the charge of women trained in the care of children and infants.
The State government may make rules for the provision of
additional facilities for the care of children belonging to women workers
including suitable provision of facilities:—
(a) For
washing and changing their clothing
(b) of
free milk or refreshment or both for the children, and
(c) for
the mothers of children to feed them at the necessary intervals.
(8) Welfare officers:
In every
factory wherein 500 or more workers are ordinarily employed, the occupier shall
employ in the factory such number of welfare officers as may be prescribed
under Sec. 49(1). The State government may prescribe the duties, qualifications
and conditions of service of such officers.
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