Factories Act 1948 Overview

Questions and Answers

Which section of the Factories Act 1948 requires every dangerous machinery in a factory to be securely fenced?

Section 23

Section 22

Section 21 (correct)

Section 24

Who is not allowed to clean, lubricate, or adjust any part of a prime mover?

Young persons

Trained male workers

Female workers (correct)

All of the above

According to Section 23, when can a young person be required to work at a dangerous machine?

After being assigned any task without prior training

Once they are over the age of 18

Only if they have received sufficient training and supervision (correct)

When no adult workers are available

What is a requirement of Section 21 concerning the machinery in a factory?

Every dangerous machinery must be securely fenced Signup and view all the answers

Which section specifies the provision of suitable devices for cutting off power from running machinery?

Section 24 Signup and view all the answers

What clothing requirement is mentioned for specially trained workers examining machinery in motion?

Tight fitting clothes Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a group that may be employed on dangerous machines?

Experienced workers Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following parts of machinery is exempt from the requirement of fencing under Section 21?

None; all dangerous machinery must be fenced Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of the Factory Act 1948?

Health, safety, and welfare of workers Signup and view all the answers

What is the minimum age prescribed by the Factory Act 1948 for a worker?

16 years Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following amendments was most extensive to the Factory Act before 1948?

1976 Signup and view all the answers

Which event in 1984 raised awareness about the hazards of factories?

The Bhopal Gas Tragedy Signup and view all the answers

Under the Factory Act 1948, how many weekly hours are permitted for adult workers?

48 hours Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following provisions is NOT mandated by the Factory Act 1948?

Daily payment of wages Signup and view all the answers

How many persons must be employed for the Factory Act to apply if power is used?

10 persons Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about industry and factory is correct?

Industry is a systematic activity while a factory is its location. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of employment does the collection of labour and employment statistics help analyze regarding the Factory Act?

Employment position of women workers compared to men Signup and view all the answers

What significant issue arose from the establishment of factories in India during the 19th century?

Employment of women and children at young ages Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the initial criticisms regarding the conditions of factory workers as early as the 1850s?

Excessive hours of work and hazardous conditions Signup and view all the answers

What role did the ILO conventions play in relation to the Factory Act?

They necessitated amendments in the Factory Act Signup and view all the answers

Which city in India saw the first cotton textile factory established in 1854?

Bombay Signup and view all the answers

What led to the existence of factory legislation in India around the late 19th century?

Rapid industrial growth without regulation Signup and view all the answers

Who laid the foundation of the Bara Bazar organization for the welfare of jute mill workers?

Sasipad Bannerjee Signup and view all the answers

What was a common consequence of the establishment of numerous factories in India during the 1800s?

Factory evils such as hazardous working conditions Signup and view all the answers

What minimum number of workers is required for premises to be classified as a factory with power aid?

Ten Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following does NOT constitute a manufacturing process?

Transportation of finished goods Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of a ‘worker’ under the Factories Act?

A person employed directly or through an agency in a manufacturing process Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following premises qualifies as a factory without the aid of power?

A workshop with bakery products being made by twenty workers Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following types of work is included in manufacturing processes?

Breaking up ships Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of an activity that does NOT fall under the definition of a factory?

A hotel serving guests Signup and view all the answers

How many workers must be present in a manufacturing process for it to qualify as a factory without aid of power?

Twenty Signup and view all the answers

Which activity is related to the generation of power as part of a manufacturing process?

Generating electricity Signup and view all the answers

What must be provided for a confined space where dangerous gases may be present?

A manhole of adequate size or other effective means of egress Signup and view all the answers

Before entering a confined space, what must a competent person provide?

A written certificate that the space is reasonably free from dangerous substances Signup and view all the answers

What is NOT a precaution necessary to prevent explosions in a factory?

Monitoring worker fatigue Signup and view all the answers

What must workers be familiar with in case of a fire?

The means of escape Signup and view all the answers

What does Section 39 grant power for regarding defective parts?

To provide specifications and tests for stability Signup and view all the answers

To prevent gas or fumes from entering a confined space, what must be ensured?

All practicable measures to remove or prevent ingress Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a requirement regarding fire safety in a factory?

Necessary equipment and facilities for extinguishing fire Signup and view all the answers

What should be done before allowing a person to enter a space with dangerous fumes present?

Conduct tests and obtain written assurance of safety Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Historical Background of The Factories Act 1948

The Factory Act originated in 1881 as a central legislation focused on regulating worker conditions.
It includes provisions on health, safety, and working conditions, particularly in hazardous environments.
The Act has been amended multiple times with significant changes in 1948, making it more comprehensive.
Provisions include regulations on health, safety, welfare, working hours, minimum working age, and paid leave.
Draws inspiration from the Factory Act of Great Britain enacted in 1937.
The definition of "factory" encompasses any premises with specified numbers of workers and includes various safety regulations.

Scope and Applicability

Applicable to all factories with ten or more workers where power is used; twenty or more without power.
Relevant for all regions of India, including Jammu & Kashmir.
Enforces safety measures like guarding machinery, health facilities, and maximum working hours.
Requires the establishment of creches if more than fifty women are employed and welfare officers where there are over five hundred workers.

Key Statistics and Employment Factors

Labour statistics are collected to evaluate the implementation of the Act and analyze employment trends.
Key indicators include the status of women workers, hazardous processes, fatal accidents, and compliance with safety standards.
Historical context reveals the evolution of factory conditions from employment of women and children in hazardous settings to modern regulations aimed at protection.

Definitions and Manufacturing Process

Factory (Sec. 2(m)): Premises with designated numbers of workers engaged in manufacturing processes either with or without power.
Manufacturing Process (Sec. 2(k)): Includes activities such as making, repairing, packing, and generating power.
Worker (Sec. 2(l)): Any individual engaged in operations related to manufacturing, excluding armed forces members.

Safety Provisions (Sections 21-41)

Fencing of Machinery (Sec. 21): Mandatory fencing of dangerous machinery to prevent accidents.
Work Near Machinery (Sec. 22): Requires trained personnel to handle machinery and prohibits young or female workers from hazardous tasks.
Power Cut-off Devices (Sec. 24): Factories must have emergency mechanisms to halt machinery during crises.
Precautions Against Hazardous Conditions (Sec. 36): Enforces safety measures for workers entering potentially dangerous confined spaces.
Explosion Prevention (Sec. 37): Mandates steps to avoid explosions from flammable dust, gas, or vapors, including effective enclosure and ignition source control.
Fire Safety (Sec. 38): Requires safe escape routes and necessary fire extinguishing equipment for worker protection.

Legislative Impact and Amendments

The need for protective labor legislation arose in the 1850s in response to poor factory conditions but saw delayed action from the British government.
Each amendment aimed to enhance worker welfare and respond to tragic industrial events, such as the Bhopal Gas Tragedy in 1984, which highlighted safety deficiencies in factories.
The Act continues to evolve, calling for constant evaluations and amendments aligned with changing industrial safety needs and International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions.

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Description

This quiz explores the historical background and key provisions of the Factories Act, originally established in 1881 and significantly amended in 1948. It highlights regulations on worker health, safety, and working conditions, as well as its applicability across India. Test your knowledge on the evolution of this crucial legislation.