Factories Act for Safety

7/30/2019 Factories Act for Safety

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CHAPTER IV

SAFETY

21. Fencing of machinery.-(1) In every factory the following namely :

i. every moving part of a prime mover and every fly-wheel connected to a primemover, whether the prime mover or fly-wheel is in the engine house or not;

ii. the headrace and tailrace of every water-wheel and water turbine;

iii. any part of a stock-bar which projects beyond the head stock of a lathe, and

iv. unless they are in such position or of such construction as to be safe to everyperson employed in the factory as they would be if they were securely fenced, thefollowing, namely;

(a) every part of an electric generator, a motor or rotary converter;

(b) every part of transmission machinery; and;

(c) every dangerous part of any other machinery;

shall be securely fenced by safeguards of substantial construction which [shall beconstantly maintained and kept in position] while the parts of machinery they arefencing are in motion or in use;

[Provided that for the purpose of determining whether any part of machinery is insuch position or is of such construction as to be safe as aforesaid, account shall not betaken of any occasion when

i. it is necessary to make an examination of any part of the machinery aforesaidwhile it is in motion or, as a result of such examination, to carry out lubrication orother adjusting operation while the machinery is in motion, being an examinationor operation which it is necessary to be carried out while that part of themachinery is in motion; or

ii. In the case of any part of a transmission machinery used in cush process as maybe prescribed (being a process of a continuous nature the carrying on of whichshall be, or is likely to be, substantially interfered with by the stoppage of that

part of the machinery, it is necessary to make an examination of such part of themachinery while it is in motion or, as a result of such examination, to carry outany mounting or shipping of belts or lubrication or other adjusting operation whilethe machinery is in motion;

and such examination or operation is made or carried out in accordance with theprovisions of sub-s (1) of s.22]

(2) The State Government may be rules prescribe such further precautions as it mayconsider necessary in respect of any particular machinery or part thereof, or exempt,subject to such condition as may be prescribed , for securing the safety of theworkers, any particular machinery or part thereof from the provisions of this section.

Further precautions prescribed under sub-section (2) of section 21

54. Further safety precautions.--


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(1) This prejudice to the provisions of sub-section 21 in regard to thefencing of machines, the further precautions specified in the Schedulesannexed hereto shall apply to the machines noted in each Schedule.

1(2) This Rule shall come into force in respect of any class or description offactories, where machines noted in the said Schedules are in use, on

such date as the State Government may by notification in the OfficialGazette, appoint in this behalf.

1[" SCHEDULE V

Centrifugal Machines

1. Definition.

"Centrifugal machines" include centrifugal extractors, separators and driers.

2. Every part of centrifugal machine shall be

(a) of good design and construction and of adequate strength;

(b) properly maintained; and(c) examined thoroughly by a competent person at regular intervals.

3. Interlocking guard for drum or basket.

(1) The cage housing the rotating drum or basket of every centrifugalmachine shall be provided with a strong lid. The design andconstruction of the cage as well as the lid should be such that no accessis possible to the drum or basket when the lid is closed.

(2) Every centrifugal machine shall be provided with an efficientinterlocking device that shall effectively prevent the lid referred to insub-paragraph (1) from being opened while the drum or basket is in

motion and prevent the drum or basket being set in motion while the lidis in the open position.

4. Breaking arrangement.

Every centrifugal machine shall be provided with an effective brakingarrangement capable of bringing the drum of basket to rest within as short aperiod of time as reasonably practicable after the power is cut off.

5. Operating speed.

No centrifugal machine shall be operated at speed in excess of themanufacturer's rating which shall be legibly stamped at easily visible placesboth on the inside of the basket and on the outside of the machine casing.

6. Exemptions.

Sub-paragraph (2) of paragraph 3, paragraphs 4 and 5 shall not apply in caseof top-lung machines or similar machines used in the sugar-manufacturingindustry.

22. Work on or near machinery in motion.- (1) [Where in any factory it becomesnecessary to examine any part of machinery referred to in s.21, while the machinery

is in motion, or, as a result of such examination, to carry out


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(a) in case referred to in clause (i) of the proviso to sub-s.21, lubrication or otheradjusting operation; or

(b) in a case referred to in clause (ii) of the proviso aforesaid, any mounting orshipping of belts or lubrication or other adjusting operation, while themachinery is in motion, such examination or operation shall be made or carried

out only by a specially trained adult male worker wearing tight fitting clothing(which shall be supplied by the occupier) whose name has been recorded inthe register prescribed in this behalf and who has been furnished with acertificate of his appointment, and while he is so engaged,

a. such worker shall not handle belt at a moving pulley unless

i. the belt is not more than fifteen centimeters in width;

ii. the pulley is normally for the purpose of drive and not merely aflywheel or balance wheel (in which case a belt is notpermissible);

iii. the belt joints is either laced or flush with the belt;

iv. the belt, including the joint and the pulley rim, are in god repair;

v. there is reasonable clearance between the pulley and any fixedplant or structure;

vi. secure foothood and, where necessary, secure handhold, areprovide for the operator; and

vii. any ladder in use for carrying our any examination or operationaforesaid is securely fixed or lashed or is firmly held by a second

person;

b. without prejudice to any other provision of this Act relating to thefencing of machinery, every set screw, bolt and key on any revolvingshaft, spindle wheel or pinion, and all spur, worm and other toothed orfriction gearing in motion with which such worker would otherwise beliable to come into contact, shall be securely fenced to prevent suchcontact.

[ (2) No women or young person shall be allowed to clean, lubricate or adjust anypart or a prime mover or of any transmission machinery while the prime mover ortransmission machinery is in motion, or to clean, lubricate or adjust any part of anymachine if the cleaning, lubrication or adjustment thereof would expose the

woman or young person to risk of injury from any moving part either of thatmachine or of any adjacent machinery.]

(3) The State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, prohibit, inany specified factory or class or description of factories, the cleaning , lubricatingor adjusting by any person of specified parts of machinery when those parts are inmotion.

23. Employment of young persons on dangerous machine. (1) No young person[shall be required or allowed to work] at any machine to which this section applied,unless he has been fully instructed as to the dangers arising in connection with themachine and the precautions to be observed and

(a) has received sufficient training in work at the machine; or


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(b) is under adequate supervision by a person who has thorough knowledge andexperience of the machine.

(2) Sub-s.(1) shall apply to such machines as may be prescribed by the StateGovernment, being machines which in its opinion are of such a dangerous characterthat young persons ought not to work at them unless the foregoing requirements are

complied.

24. Strike gear and devices for cutting off power.- (1) In every factory

(a) suitable striking gear or other efficient mechanical appliance shall be providedand maintained and used to move driving belts to and from fast and loosepulleys which form part of the transmission machinery, and such gear orappliances shall be so constructed, placed and maintained as to prevent thebest from creeping back on to the fast pulley;

(b) driving belts when not in use shall not be allowed to rest or ride upon shiftingin motion.

(2) In every factory suitable devices for cutting off power in emergency from runningmachinery shall be provided and maintained in very workroom;

Provided that in respect of factories in operation before the commencement of thisAct, the provision of this sub-section shall apply only to workroom in which electricityis used as power,

[ (3) When a device, which can inadvertently shift from off to on position, isprovided in a factory to cut off power, arrangements shall be provided for locking thedevice in safe position to prevent accidental starting of the transmission machinery orother machines to which the device is fitted.]

25. Self-acting machines. No traversing part of a self-acting machine in anyfactory and no material carried thereon shall, if the space over which it runs is a spaceover which any person is liable to pass, whether in the course of his employment orotherwise, be allowed to run on its outward or inward traverse within a distance of[forty-five centimeters] from any fixed structure which is not part of the machine;

Provided that the Chief Inspector. (1) In all machinery driven by power andinstalled in any factory after the commencement of this Act,

(a) every set screw, bolt or key on any revolving shaft, spindle, wheel or pinionshall be so sunk, encased or otherwise effectively guarded as to preventdanger;

(b) all spur, worm and other toothed or friction gearing which does not requirefrequent adjustment while in motion shall be completely encased, unless it isso situated as to be as safe as it would be if it were completely encased.

(2) Whoever sell or lets on hire or, as agent of a seller or hirer, causes or procures tobe sold or let on hire, for use in a factory any machinery driven by power which doesnot comply with the provisions of [sub-s.(1) or any rules made under sub-s.(3)], shallbe punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months orwith fine which may extent to five hundred rupees or with both.

[ (3) The State Government may make rules specifying further safeguards to beprovided in respect of any other dangerous part of particular machine or class ordescription of machines. ]


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27. Prohibitions of employment of women and children near cotton openers .- Nowomen or child shall be employed in any part of a factory for pressing cotton in whichcotton-opener is at work.

Provided that if the feed-end of a cotton-opener is in a room separated from thedelivery end by a partition extending to the roof or to such height as the Inspector

may in any particular case specify in writing, women and children may be employedon the side of the partition where the feed-end is situated.

28. Hoists and lifts.- In every factory

(a) every hoist and lift shall be

a. of good mechanical construction, sound material and adequatestrength;

b. Properly maintained, and shall be thoroughly examined by a competentperson at least once in every period of six months, and a register shall

be kept containing the prescribed particulars of every suchexamination;

(b) every hoistway and liftway shall be sufficiently protected by an enclosure fittedwith gates, and the hoists or lift and every such enclosure shall be soconstructed as to prevent any person or thing from being trapped between anypart of the hoist or lift and any fixed structure or moving part;

(c) the maximum safe working load shall be plainly marked on every hoist or lift,and no load greater than such load shall be carried thereon;

(d) the cage of every hoists or lift used for carrying persons shall be fitted with agate on each side from which access is afforded to a landing;

(e) every gate referred to in clause (b) or (d) shall be fitted with interlocking orother efficient device to secure that the gate cannot be opened except whenthe cage is at the landing and that the cage cannot be moved unless the gateis closed.

(2) The following additional requirements shall apply to hoists and lifts used forcarrying persons and installed or reconstructed in factory after the commencement ofthis Act, namely;

(a) where the cage is supported by rope or chain, there shall be at least two ropesor chains separately connected with the cage and balance weight, and eachrope or chain with its attachments shall be capable of carrying the wholeweight of the cage together with its maximum load;

(b) efficient devices shall be provided and maintained capable of supporting thecage together with its maximum load in the event of breakage of the ropes,chains or attachments;

(c) an efficient automatic device shall be provided and maintained to prevent thecage from over-running;

(3) The Chief Inspector may permit the continued use of a hoist or lift installed in afactory before the commencement of this Act which does not fully comply with theprovisions of sub-s(1) upon such conditions for ensuring safety as he may think fit to

impose.


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(1) The state Government may, if in respect of any class or description of hoistor lift, it is of opinion that it would be unreasonable to enforce anyrequirement of sub.-ss.(1) and (2), by order direct that such requirementshall no apply to such class or description of hoist or lift.

[ Explanation. For the purposes of this section, no lifting machine or applianceshall be deemed to be a hoist or lift unless it has platform or cage, the direction ormovement or which is restricted by a guide or guides.]

30. GF Rules prescribed under sub-section (1) ofsection 28

58. Hoist examination - particulars of.

A Register shall be maintained to record particulars of examination of hoists orlifts and shall give particulars as shown in Form No. 9.

Exemption under sub-section (4) of section 28

59. Exemption of certain hoists and lifts.

In pursuance of the provisions of sub-section (4) of section 28, in respect of anyclass or description of hoist or lift specified in the first column of the followingschedule, the requirements of the section 28 specified in the second column ofthe said schedule and set opposite to that class of description of hoist or liftshall not apply.

SCHEDULEI IIClass or descriptionor hoist or lift

Requirements which shallnot apply

Hoists or lifts mainly used for raisingmaterials for charging blast furnaces orlime kilns.

Sub-section (1)(b) in so far as it requiresa gate at the bottom landing; sub-section (1)(e).

Hoists not connected with mechanicalpower and which are not used forcarrying persons.

Sub-section (1)(b) is so far as it requiresthe hoistway or liftways enclosure-to beso constructed to prevent any person orthing from being trapped between anypart of the hoist or lift and any fixedstructure; or moving part sub-section

(1)(c)

[29. Lifting machines, chains, ropes and lifting tackles.- In any factory thefollowing provisions shall be complied with in respect of every lifting machine(other than a hoist and lift and every chain, rope and lifting tackle for the purposeof raising or lowering persons, goods or materials:-

(a) all parts, including the working gear, whether fixed or movable, of every liftingmachine and every chain, ripe or lifting tackle shall be

i. of good construction, sound material and adequate strength andfree from defects;

ii. properly maintained; and


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iii. thoroughly examined by a competent person at least once in everyperiod of twelve, months, or at such intervals as the Chief Inspectormay specify in writing; and a register shall be kept containing theprescribed particulars of every such examination;

(b) no lifting machine and no chain, rope or lifting tackle shall, except for the

purpose of test, be loaded beyond safe working load which shall be plainlymarked thereon together with an identification mark and duly entered in theprescribed register; and where this is not practicable, a table showing the safeworking loads of every kind an size of lifting machine or chain, rope or liftingtackle In se shall bye displayed in prominent positions on the premises;

(c) while any person is employed or working on or near the wheel of a travelingcrane in any place where he would be liable to be struck by the crane, effectivemeasures shall be taken to ensure that the crane does no approach within [sixmetres] of that place.

(2) The Stage Government may make rules in respect of any lifting machine or anychain, rope or lifting tackle used in factories

(a) prescribing further requirements to be complied with in addition to those setout in this section;

(b) providing for exemption from compliance with all or any of the requirements ofthis section, where in its opinion, such compliance is unnecessary orimpracticable.

(3) For the purpose of this section a lifting machine or a chain, ripe or lifting tackleshall be deemed to have been thoroughly examined if a visual examinationsupplemented, if necessary, by other means and by the dismantling of parts of thegear, has been carried out as carefully as the conditions permit in order to arrive at a

reliable conclusion as to safety of the parts examined.

Explanation. In this section,

(a) lifting machine means a crane, crab, winch teagle pulley block, gin wheel,transporter or runway;

[(b) lifting tackle means any chain sling, rope sling, hook, shackle, swivel,coupling, socket, clamp, tray or similar appliance, whether fixed or movable, usedin connection with the raising or lowering of persons, or loads by use of liftingmachines.]

Gujarat Factories Rules prescribed under sub-section (1) of section 29160. Lifting machines, chains, ropes and lifting tackles.

(1) No lifting machine and no chain, rope or lifting tackle except a fiberrope or fiber rope sling shall be taken in use in any factory, for the firsttime therein unless it has been tested and all parts have beenthoroughly examined by a competent person and a certificate of suchtest and examination specifying the safe working load or loads andsigned by the person making the test and examination has beenobtained and is kept available for inspection.

(2) A register in Form 10 containing the particulars, therein specified shallbe kept for every examination made under sub-rule (1). The registershall be readily available for inspection.


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(3) (a) Every jib-crane so constructed that the safe working load may bevaried by the raising or lowering of the jib, shall have attachedthereto either an automatic indicator of safe working loads anautomatic jib angle indicator and a table indicating the safeworking loads at corresponding indication of the jib or

corresponding radii of the load.(b) A table showing the safe working load of every kind and size of

chain, rope or lifting tackle in use, and, in the case of a multiplesling, the safe working loads at different angles of the legs, shallbe posted in the store room or place, where or in which thechains, ropes or lifting tackles are kept in prominent positions onthe premises and no rope, chain or lifting tackle not shown in thetable shall be used in a factory unless in the case of liftingtackle, the safe working load thereof, or in the case of a multiplesling, the safe working load at different angles of the legs, isplainly marked upon it.

(4) Ail rails on which a traveling crane moves and every, track on which thecarriage of a transporter or runway moves, shall be of proper size and

adequate strength and have an even running surface. Every such rail ortrack shall be properly laid and maintained and shall be adequatelysupported.

(5) All chains and lifting tackle, except a rope sling, shall unless they havebeen subjected to such other heat treatment as may be approved bythe State Government, be effectively annealed under the supervision ofa competent person at the following intervals, namely :

(i) All chains, slings, rings, hooks, shackles and swivels used inconnection with molten metal or molten slag or when they aremade of 12.7 millimeters bar or smaller, at least once in everysix months.

(ii) All other chains, rings, hooks, shackles, and swivels in generaluse at least once in every twelve months :

Provided that chains and lifting tackle not frequent use shallsubject to the approval necessary and particulars of suchannealing shall be entered in a register in Form 10.

(6) Nothing in sub-rule (5) shall apply to the following classes of chains andlifting tackle namely :

(i) Chains made of malleable cast iron. (ii) Plate link chains.(iii) Chains, rings, hooks, shackles and swivels made of steel or of

any non-ferrous metal.(iv) Pitched chains, working on sproket or pocketed wheels.(v) Rings, hooks, shackles and swivels permanently attached to

pitched chains, pulleys blocks or weighing machines.(vi) Hooks and swivels having screw threader parts or ball bearing or

other case hardened parts.(vii) Socket shackles secured to wire ropes by white metal capping.(viii) Bordeau connections.(ix) Any chain or lifting tackle which has been subjected to the heat

treatment known as "normalising" instead of annealing. Suchchains and lifting tackle shall be thoroughly examined by acompetent person at least once in every twelve months, andparticulars of such examination shall be entered in the register in

Form 10.


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(7) All lifting machines, chains, ropes and lifting tackle except a fibre ropeor fibre sling, which have been lengthened, altered or repaired bywelding or otherwise, shall, not be used again, unless it is adequatelytested and examined by a competent person and certified in writing byhim to be in order.

1"(8) No person who has not completed eighteen years of age and no adult

who is not sufficiently trained in the working of lifting machines andacquainted with the hazzards of the machines shall be employed as adriver of a lifting machine whether driven by mechanical power orotherwise, or to give signals to a driver".

260A. Passage ways for cranes.

(1) To provide access to rail tracks of over head traveling cranes suitablepassage ways of at least 50 cm. width with toe boards and double handrails 90 cm. high shall be provided along side, and clear of the railtracks of over head traveling cranes, so that no moving part of thecrane can strike persons on the way, and the passage way shall be at alower level than the crane track itself, safe access ladders shall beprovided at suitable intervals to afford access to these passage ways.

and from passage ways to the rails tracks.

(2) The State Government may in writing exempt any existing factory fromthe provisions of sub-rule (1) if the construction of the factory is such asto make it impossible to provide such a passage way.

"61. Pressure vessels or plant.

(1) Interpretation : In this rule

(a) "design pressure" means the maximum pressure that a pressurevessels or plant is designed to withstand safety when operatingnormally.

(b) "maximum permissible working pressure" means the maximumpressure at which a pressure vessel or plant is permitted to beoperated or used under this rule and is determined by thetechnical requirement of the process.

(c) "plant" means a system of piping that is connected to a pressurevessel and so used to contain a gas vapour or liquid underpressure greater than the atmospheric pressure and includes thepressure vessels.

(d) "pressure vessel" means a vessel that may be used forcontaining, storing, distributing, transferring, distilling,processing or otherwise handling any gas, vapour or liquid underpressure greater than the atmospheric pressure and includes

any pipeline fitting or other equipment attached thereto or usedin connection therewith.

(2) Exception. - Nothing in this rule shall apply to

(a) vessels made of ferrous materials having an internal operatingpressure not exceeding 1 kilogram per square centimeter;

(b) steam boilers, steam and feed-pipes and their fittings comingunder the purview of the Indian Boilers Act, 1923;

(c) metal bottles or cylinders used for storage or transport ofcompressed gases or liquified or dissolved gases under pressurecovered by the Gas Cylinder Rules, 1981 framed under theIndian Explosives Act, 1884;

(d) vessels in which internal pressure is due solely to the static heatof liquid;


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(e) vessels with a nominal water capacity not exceeding 500 litersconnected in a water-pumping system containing air that iscompressed to serve as a cushion.

(f) vessels for unclear energy application;(g) refrigeration plant having a capacity of 3 tons or less of

refrigerations in 24 hours; and

(h) working cylinders of steam engines or prime movers and steamtrapes; turbine casings; compressor cylinders; steam separatorsor dryers; steam strainers; steam de-super-heaters; oilseparators; air receivers for fire sprinkler installations; airreceivers of monotype machines provided maximum workingpressure of the air receiver does not exceed 1.33 kilograms persquare centimeter and the capacity of 85 liters; air receivers ofelectrical circuit breakers; air receivers of electrical relays; airvessels on pumps, pipe coils accessories of instruments andappliances such as cylinders and piston assemblies used foroperating relays and interlocking type of guards; vessels withliquids subjected to static heat only; and hydraulically operatingother than any cylinders communicating with an air loaded

accumulator.(3) Design and construction. - Every pressure vessels or plant used in a

factory -(a) shall be properly designed on sound engineering practice;(b) shall be of good construction, sound material, adequate strength

and free from any patent defects; and(c) shall be properly maintained in a safe condition:

Provided that the pressure vessels or plant in respect of thedesign and construction of which there is an Indian standard or astandard of the country of manufacture or any other law orregulation in force, shall be designed and constructed inaccordance with the said standard, law or regulation, as the casemay be, and a certificate thereof shall be obtained from themanufacturer or from the competent person which shall be keptand produced on demand by an Inspector.

(4) Safety Devices : Every pressure vessel shall be fitted with -

(a) a suitable safety valve or other effective pressure relievingdevice of adequate capacity to ensure that the maximumpermissible working pressure of the pressure vessels shall not beexceeded. It shall be set to operate at a pressure not exceedingthe maximum permissible working pressure and when more thanone protective device is provided, only one of the devices needbe set to operate at the maximum permissible working pressureand the additional device shall be set to discharge at a pressure

not more than 5 per cent in excess of the maximum permissibleworking pressure.

(b) a suitable pressure gauge with a dial range not less than 1.5times the maximum permissible working pressure, easily visibleand designed to show at all times the correct internal pressureand marked with a prominent red mark at the maximumpermissible working pressure of the pressure vessel ;

(c) a suitable nipple end globe valve connected for the exclusivepurpose of attaching a test pressure gauge for checking :heaccuracy of the pressure gauge referred to in clause (b) of thissub-rule ;

(d) a suitable stop or valves by which the pressure vessel may be


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isolated from other pressure vessel or plant or source of supplyof pressure. Such a stop valve or valves shall be located as closeto the pressure vessel as possible and shall be easily accessible ;

(e) a suitable drain cock or valve at the lowest part of the pressurevessel for the discharge of the liquid or other substances that

may collect in the pressure vessel :

Provided that it shall be sufficient for the purpose of this sub-rule if thesafety valve or pressure relieving device, the pressure gauge and thestop valve are mounted on a pipe line immediately adjacent to thepressure vessel and where there is a range of two or more similarpressure vessel served by the same pressure lead, only set of suchmountings need be fitted on the pressure lead immediately adjacent tothe range of pressure vessels provided they can not be isolated.

(5) Pressure reducing devices.

(a) Every pressure vessel which is designed for a working pressure

less than the pressure at the source of supply; or less than thepressure which can be obtained in the pipe connecting thepressure vessel with any other source of supply, shall be fittedwith a suitable pressure reducing valve or other suitableautomatic device to prevent the maximum permissible workingpressure of the pressure vessel exceeded.

(b) To further protect the pressure vessel in the event of failure ofthe reducing valve or device, at least one safety valve having acapacity sufficient to release all the steam, vapour or gaswithout undue pressure rise as determined by the pressure atthe source of supply and the size of the pipe connecting thesource of supply shall be fitted on the low pressure side of thereducing valve.

(6) Pressure vessel or plant being taken into use.

(a) No new pressure vessel or plant shall be taken into use in afactory after coming into force of this rule unless it has beenhydrostatically tested by a competent person at a pressure atleast 1. 3 times the designed pressure, and no pressure vessel orplant which has been previously used or has remained isolatedor idle for a period exceeding 2 months or which has undergonealterations or repairs shall be taken into use in a factory unless ithas been thoroughly examined by a competent person

externally and internally if practicable and has beenhydrostatically tested by the competent person at a pressurewhich shall be 1.5 times the maximum permissible workingpressure:

Provided, however, that the pressure vessel or plant which is sodesigned and constructed that it can not be safely fitted withwater or liquid or is used in service when even some traces ofwater can not be tolerated, shall be pneumatically tested at apressure not less than the design pressure or the maximumpermissible working pressure as the case may be :

Provided further that the pressure vessel or plant is lined with

glass shall be tested hydrostatically or pneumatically as requiredat a pressure not less than the design pressure or maximum


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permissible working pressure as the case may be.

Design pressure shall be not less than the maximum permissibleworking pressure and shall take into account the possiblefluctuations of pressure during actual operation.

(b) No pressure vessel or plant shall be used in a factory unlessthere has been obtained from the maker of the pressure vesselor plant or from the competent person a certificate specifyingthe design pressure or maximum permissible working pressurethereof and stating the nature of tests to which the pressurevessel or plant and its fittings (if any) have been subjected, andevery pressure vessel or plant so used in a factory shall bemarked so as to enable it to be identified as to he the pressurevessel or plant to which the certificate relates and the certificateshall be kept available for perusal by the Inspector.

(c) No pressure vessel or plant shall be permitted to be operated orused at a pressure higher than its design pressure, or themaximum permissible working pressure as shown in the

certificates.

(7) In-service test and examinations.

(a) Every pressure vessel or plant in service shall be thoroughlyexamined by a competent person.(i) externally, once in every period of six months;(ii) internally, once in every period of twelve months :Provided that if by reason of the construction of a pressurevessel or plant, a thorough internal examinations not possible,this examination may be replaced by a hydrostatic test whichshall be carried out once in every period of two years :Provided further that for a pressure vessel or plant in continuousprocess which cannot be frequently opened, the period ofinternal examination may be extended to four years and(iii) hydrostatically tested once in every period of four years:Provided that in respect of a pressure vessel or plant with thinwalls such as sizing cylinder made of copper or any other non-ferrous metal, periodic test may be dispensed with subject to thecondition that the requirements laid down in sub-rule (8) arefulfilled :Provided further that when it is impracticable to carry outthorough external examination of any pressure vessel or plantevery six months as required in sub-clause (i) of this clause or ifowing to its construction and use a pressure vessel or plant

cannot be hydrostatically tested as required in sub-clause (ii)and (iii) of this clause, thorough external examination of thepressure vessel or plant shall be carried out at least once inevery period of two years and at least once in every period offour years a thorough systematic non-destructive test likeultrasonic test for metal thickness or other defects of all partsthe failure of which might lead to eventual rupture of thepressure vessel or plant shall be carried out.

(b) The pressure for the hydrostatic test to be carried out for thepurpose of this sub-rule shall be 1-25 times the design pressureor 1.5 times the maximum permissible working pressurewhichever is less.

(8) Thin walled pressure vessel or plant,


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(a) In respect of any pressure vessel or plant of thin walls such assizing cylinder made of copper or any other non-ferrous metal,the maximum permissible working pressure for every year of useafter the first five years and no such cylinder shall be allowed tocontinue to be used for more than twenty years after it was first

taken into use.(b) If any information as to the date of construction, thickness of

walls or maximum permissible working pressure is not availablethe age of such pressure vessel or plant shall be determined bythe competent person in consultation with the Chief Inspectorfrom the other particulars available with the manager.

(c) Every new and second hand pressure vessel or plant of thin wallsto which repair is likely to effect its strength or safety have beencarried out, shall be tested before use to at least 1.5 times itsmaximum permissible working pressure.

(9) Report by competent person.

(a) If during any examination any doubt arises as to the ability ofthe pressure vessel or plant to work safely until the nextprescribed examination, the competent person shall enter in theprescribed register his observationsand conclusions with other relevant remarks with reasons andmay authorise the pressure vessel or plant to be used and keptin operation subject to a lowering of maximum permissibleworking pressure, or to more frequent or special examination ortest or subject to both of these conditions.

(b) A report of every examination or test carried out shall becompleted in Form No. 11 and shall be signed by the personmaking the examination or test and shall be kept available forperusal by the Inspector at all hours when the factory or any partthereof is working.

(c) Where the report of any examination under this rule specifiesany condition for securing the safe working of any pressurevessel or plant the pressure vessel or plant shall not be usedunless the specified condition is fulfilled.

(d) The competent person making report of any examination underthis rule shall within seven days of the completion of theexamination send to the Inspector a copy of the report in everycase where the maximum permissible working pressure isreduced or the examination shows that the pressure vessel orplant or any part thereof cannot continue to be used with safetyunless certain repairs are carried out or unless any other safety

measure is taken.

(10) Application of other laws.

(a) The requirements of this rule shall be in addition to and withoutany prejudice to and not in derogation of the requirements ofany other law in force.

(b) Certificate or reports of any examination or test of any pressurevessel or plant to which sub-rule(7) to (9) do not apply,conducted or required to be conducted under any other law inforce and other relevant record relating to such pressure vesselor plant, shall be properly maintained as required under the saidlaw and shall be produced on demand by the Inspector.

61-A. Safety of water sealed gas-holder.


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(1) The expression "gas-holder" in this rule means a water-sealed gas-holder which has a storage capacity of not less than 141.5 cubic metres(5,000 cft.).

(2) Every gas-holder shall be of good construction, sound material andadequate strength and shall be properly maintained.

(3) Where there are more than one gas-holder in a factory, every gas-holder shall be marked in a conspicuous position with a distinguishingnumber of letter.

(4) Every gas-holder shall be thoroughly examined externally by acompetent person at least once in a period of 12 months.

(5) In the case of a gas-holder of which any lift has been in use for morethan 10 years, the internal state of the sheeting shall, within one year ofthe coming into operation of this rule and thereafter at least at everyperiod of four years, be examined by a competent person by means ofelectronic or other accurate devices :

Provided, that if the Chief Inspector is satisfied that such electronic or other

accurate devices are not available, he may permit the cutting of samples fromthe crown and the sides of the holder;

Provided further that if such examination raises a doubt as to the soundness ofthe internal state of the sheeting an internal visual examination shall be made.

(6) All possible steps shall be taken to prevent or minimize ingress ofimpurities in the gas-holders.

(7) No gas-holder shall be repaired or demolished except under the directsupervision of a person who by his training and experience and hisknowledge of the necessary precautions against risks of explosion andof persons being overcome by gas, is competent to supervise such

work.

(8) (i) All cample discs out under sub-rule (5), shall be kept readilyavailable for inspecting.

(ii) A permanent register duly signed by the occupier or managershall be maintained giving the following particulars :

(a) The distinguished number or letter of gas-holder markedthereon under sub-rule (3) and the particulars ofmanufacture i.e. marker's name, date of manufacture,capacity, number of lifts, and pressure thrown by holderwhen full of gas;

(b) The dates of examination carried out as required under

sub- rules (4) and (5) above and by whom carried out;(c) The methods of examination used;(d) Date of painting;(e) Nature of repairs and names of persons carrying out

repairs; and(f) Remarks.

(iij) The results of examinations by a competent person under sub-rules (4) and (5) shall be in the Form No. 11-A.

(iv) A copy of the report in Form No. 11-A shall be kept in theregister and both register and the report shall be readilyavailable for inspection."

1[61.B Reaction vessels and kettles.

(1) This rule applies to reaction vessels and kettles (herein after referred to


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as "reaction vessels") which normally work at the pressure notabove the atmospheric pressure but in which there is likelihood ofpressure being created above the atmospheric pressure due to reactiongetting out of control or any other circumstances.

(2) In the event of the vessel being heated by electrical means, a suitablecontrol device shall be provided to prevent the temperature exceeding

the safe limit.(3) Where steam is used for heating purposes in reaction vessel, it shall be

supplied through a suitable automatic device to prevent the maximumpermissible steam pressure being exceeded unless the pressure of thesteam in the supply line itself can not exceed the said maximumpermissible pressure.

(4) A suitable safety valve or require disc, of adequate size and capacityshall be provided to effectively prevent the pressure being built up inthe reaction vessel beyond the safe limit. Effective arrangements shallbe made to ensure that the released gases, fumes, vapours, liquids ordusts, as the case may be, are lead away and disposed of throughsuitable pipes without causing any hazard flammable gases orvapours are likely to be vented out from the vessel the discharge end

shall be provided with a flame arrestor.(5) Every reaction vessel shall be provided with a pressure gauge having an

appropriate range.(6) In addition to the device as mentioned in the above clauses, means

shall be provided for automatically stopping the feed into the vessel assoon as process condition deviates from the normal limit to an extentwhich can be considered as dangerous.

(7) Where necessary, an effective system for cooling, flooring or blanketingshall be provided for the purpose of controlling the reaction and processconditions within the safe limits of temperature and pressures.

(8) An automatic auditory and visual warning devices shall be provided forclear warning whenever process conditions exceed the present limits.This device wherever possible shall be integrated with automaticprocess correction system.

(9) A notice pointing out the possible circumstances in which pressureabove atmospheric pressure may be built up in the reaction vessel, thedangers involved and the precautions to be taken by the operators shallbe displayed at the conspicuous place near the vessel.]

Rvolving machinery.(1) [In every factory] in which the process of grinding is carriedon there shall be permanently affixed to or placed near each machine in use a noticeindicating the maximum safe working peripheral speed of every grindstone orabrasive wheel, the speed of the shaft or spindle necessary to secure such safeworking peripheral speed.

(2) The speed indicated in notices under sub-s.(1) shall not exceeded .

(3) Effective measures shall be taken in every factory to ensure that the safe workingperipheral speed of every revolving vessel, cage, basket, flywheel, pulley disc orsimilar appliance driven by power is not exceeded.

31. Pressure plant. (1) If in any factory, any plant or machinery or any part thereofis operated at a pressure above atmospheric pressure, effective measures shall betaken to ensure that the safe working pressure of such plant or machinery or part isnot exceeded.]

(2) The State Government may make rules providing for the examination and testingof any plant or machinery such as if referred to in sub-s.(1) and prescribing such other

safety measures in relation thereto as may in its opinion be necessary in any factoryor class or description of factories.


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[ (3) The State Government may, by rules, exempt, subject to such conditions as maybe specified therein, any part of any plant or machinery referred to in sub-s.(1) fromthe provisions of this section.]

32. Floor, stairs and means of access.- In every factory

(a) all floors, steps, stairs, passages and gangways shall be of sound constructionproperly maintained [and shall be kept free from obstructions and substanceslikely to cause persons to slip], and where it is necessary to ensure safety, steps,stairs, passage and gangways shall be provided with substantial handrails;

(b) there shall, so far as is reasonably practicable, be provided and maintained safemeans of access to every place at which any person is at any time required towork;

[(c) when any person has to work at a height from where he is likely to fall, provisionshall be made, so far as is reasonably practicable, by fencing or otherwise, to ensurethe safety of the person so working.]

33. Pits, sumps, openings in floors, etc.-(1) In every factory every fixed vessel, sump,tank, pit or opening in ground or in floor which, by reason of its depth, situation,construction or contents, is or may be a source of danger, shall be either securelycovered or securely fenced.

(2) The State Government may, by order in writing, exempt, subject to suchconditions as may be prescribed, any factory or class or description of factories inrespect of any vessel, sump. Tank, pit or opening from compliance with the provisionsof this section.

34. Excessive weights. (1) No person shall be employed in any factory to lift,carry or move any load so heavy as to be likely to causes him injury.

(2) The State Government may make rules prescribing the maximum weights whichmay lifted, carried or moved by adult men, adult women, adolescents and childrenemployed in factories or in any class or description of factories or in carrying on anyspecified process.

GF Rule prescribed under sub-section (2) of section 34

62. Excessive weights.(1) No woman or young person shall unaided by another person, lift, carry

or move by hand or on head, any material, article, tool or applianceexceeding the maximum limit in weight set out in the following

schedule :-SCHEDULE I

_____________________________________________________________________Persons Maximum weight of

material article total byappliance

_____________________________________________________________________(a) Adult female 29.5 Kilograms(b) Adolescent male 29.5 Kilograms(c) Adolescent female 20.4 Kilograms \(d) Male child 15.9 Kilograms(e) Female child 13.6 Kilograms

(2) No woman or young person shall engage, in conjunction with others inlifting, carrying or moving by hand or on head, any material article, tool


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or appliance if the weight thereof exceed the lowest weight fixed by theschedule to sub-rule (1) for any of the persons engaged, multiplied bythe number of the persons engaged.

35. Protection of eyes.- In respect of any such manufacturing processs carried on inany factory as may be prescribed, being a process which involves

(a) risk of injury to the eyes from particles or fragments thrown off in the course ofthe process; or

(b) risk to the eyes by reason of exposure to excessive light, the State Governmentmay be rules require that effective screens or suitable goggles shall be providedfor the protection of persons employed on, or in the immediate vicinity of, theprocess.

Rule prescribed under section 35

63. Protection of eyes.

Effective screens or suitable goggles shall be provided for the protection ofpersons employed in or in the immediate vicinity of the processes :-

(a) The processes specified in Schedule I annexed hereto, being processeswhich involve risk of injury to the eyes from particles or fragmentsthrown off in the course of the process.

(b) The processes specified in Schedule II annexed hereto being processeswhich involve risk of injury to the eyes by reason of exposure toexcessive light.

1[ SCHEDULE - 1

(1) Breaking, cutting, dressing or carving of bricks, stone, concretes, stagor similar materials by means of a hammer, chisel, pick or similar handtool, or by means of a portable tool driven by mechanical newer, andthe dry grinding of surfaces of any such material by means of a wheelor disc driven by mechanical power, in any of the foregoing cases,particles or fragments are liable to be thrown off towards the face ofthe operator in the course of the process.

(2) Dry grinding of surface of metal by applying them by hand to a wheel,disc or driven by mechanical power, and of surface of metal means ofportable tool driven by mechanical power.

(3) Dividing into separate parts of metal, bricks, stone, concretes or similar

materials by means of a high speed saw driven by mechanical power orby means of an abrasive cutting off wheel or disc driven by mechanicalpower.

(4) Turning of metals or articles of metal, where particles orfragments are liable to be thrown off towards the face of the operator inthe course of process.

(5) Drilling by means of portable tools, where particles or fragments areliable to be thrown of towards the face of the operator in the course ofthe process.

(6) Welding and cutting of metals by means of an electric, oxy -acceatylene or similar process.


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(7) Hot felling of steel castings by means of a flux injected burner or airtorch, and de-seaming of metal.

(8) Felling of metal castings involving the removal of metal - includingrunners, gates and risers, and removal of any other material during thecourse of such fitting.

(9) Chipping of metal, and chipping, knocking out, cutting out or cutting offof cold rivets, bolts, nuts, lugs, pins, collars or similar articles from anystructure or plant or from part of any structure or plant, by means of ahammer, chisel, punch or similar hand tool, or by means of portable tooldriven by mechanical power.

(10) Chipping or scurfing of paint, scales, rust or other corrosion from thesurface of metal and other hard materials by means of a hand tool or bya portable tool driven by mechanical power.

(11) Breaking of scrap metal by means of a hammer or by means of a tooldriven by mechanical power.

(12) Rounding of metal, where particles or fragments are liable to be thrownoff towards the face of the operator in the course of the process.

(13) Work with drop hammers and power hammers used in either case forthe manufacture of forgings, and work by any person not working withsuch hammers, whose work is carried on in such circumstances and insuch a position that particles or fragments are liable to be thrown offtowards his face during work with drop hammers or power hammers.

(14) Work at a furnace where there is risk to the eyes from molten metal.

(15) Pouring or skimming of molten-metal.

(16) Work involving risk to the eyes from hot sand being thrown off.

(17) Truing or dressing of an abrasive wheel.

(18) Handling in open vessels or manipulation of strong acids or dangerouscorrosive liquids or materials, and operation, maintenance or

dismantling ofplant or any part of plant, being plant or part of plantwhich contains or has contained such acids, liquids or materials, unlessthe plant or part of plant has been so prepared (by isolation, reductionof pressure, or otherwise), treated or designed and constructed as toprevent risk of injury.

(19) Any other process wherein there is a risk of injury to eyes fromparticles or fragments thrown of during the course of the process.

SCHEDULE - II

(1) Welding or cutting of metals by means of an electrical, oxy- acetyleneor similar process.

(2) All work on furnaces where there is risk of exposure to excessive light orintra-red radiations.

(3) Process such as rolling casting or forging of metals, where there is riskof exposure to excessive light or intra-red radiations.


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(4) Any other process wherein there is a risk of injury to eyes fromexposure to excessive light or intra-red or ultraviolet radiations.

36. Precautions against dangerous fumes, gases, etc. (1) No person shall be requiredor allowed to enter any chamber, tank, vat, pit, pipe flue or other confined space inany factory in which any gas, fume, vapour or dust is likely to be present to such anextent as to involve risk to persons being overcome thereby, unless it is provided witha manhole of adequate size or other effective means of egress.

(2) No person shall be required or allowed to enter any confined space as is referredto in sub. s (1), until all practicable measures have been taken to remove any gas,fume, vapour or dust, which may be present so as to bring its level within thepermissible limits and to prevent any ingress of such gas, fume, vapour or dust andunless

(a) a certificate in writing has been given by a competent person, based on a test

carried out by himself that the space is reasonably free from dangerous gas,fume, vapour or dust; or

(b) such person is wearing suitable breathing apparatus and a belt securelyattached to a rope the free and of which is held by a person outside theconfined space.]

36.A Precautions regarding the use of portable electric light. In any factory

(a) no portable electric light or any other electric appliance of voltage exceedingtwenty-four volts shall be permitted for use inside any chamber, tank, vat, pit,pipe flue or other confined space, no lamp or light other than that of flame-proof construction shall be permitted to be used therein.]

(b) if any inflammable gas, fume or dust is likely to be present in such chamber,tank, vat, pit, pipe, flue or other confined space, no lamp or light other thanthat of flam-proof construction shall be permitted to be used therein.]

GF Rule prescribed under sub-section (6) of section 36

64. Minimum dimensions of manholes.

Every chamber, tank, vat, pipe, flue or other confined space, which persons

may have to enter and which may contain dangerous fumes to such an extentas to involve risks of the persons being overcome thereby shall, unless there isother effective means of egress, be provided with manhole which may berectangular, oval or circular in shape, and which shall

(a) in the case of rectangular or oval shape, be not less than 40.6centimetres long and 30.5 centimetres wide;

(b) in the case of a circular shape, be not less than 40.6 centimetres indiametre.

37. Explosive or inflammable dust, gas, etc. (1) Where in any factory anymanufacturing process produces, dust, gas fume or vapour of such character and to


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such extent as to be likely to explode on ignition, all practicable measure shallbetaken to prevent any such explosion by

(a) effective enclosure of the plant or machinery used in the process;

(b) removal or prevention of the accumulation of such dust, gas, fume or vapour;

(c) exclusion or effective enclosure of all possible source of ignition.

(2) Where in any factory the plant or machinery used in a process such as is referredto in sub.- s. (1) is not so constructed as to withstand the probable pressure whichsuch an explosion as aforesaid would produce, all practicable measure shall be takento restrict the spread and effects of the explosion by the provision in the plant ormachinery of chokes, baffles, vents or other effective appliances.

(3) Where any part of the plant or machinery in factory contains any explosive orinflammable gas or vapour under pressure greater than atmospheric pressure, thatpart shall not be opened except in accordance with the following provisions, namely :-

(a) before the fastening of any joint of any pipe connected with the part or thefastening of the cover of any opening into the part is loosened, any flow of thegas or vapour into the part of any such pipe shall be effectively stopped by astop-valve or other means;

(b) before any such fastening as aforesaid is removed, all practicable measuresshall be taken to reduce the pressure of the gas or vapour in the part or pipe toatmospheric pressure;

(c) where any such fastening as aforesaid has been loosened or removed effectivemeasures shall be taken to prevent any explosive inflammable gas or vapourfrom entering the part or pipe until the fastening has been secured, or, as the

case may be, securely replaced :

Provided that the provisions of this sub-section not apply in the case of plant ormachinery installed in the open air.

(4) No plant, tank or vessel which contains or has contained any explosive orinflammable substance shall be subjected in any factory to any welding, brazing,soldering or cutting operation which involves the application of heat unless adequatemeasures have first been taken to remove such substance and any fumes arisingthere from or to render such substance and fumes non-explosive or non-inflammable,and no such substance shall be allowed to enter such plant, tank or vessel after anysuch operation until the metal has cooled sufficiently to prevent any risk to ignitingthe substance.

(5) The State Government may be rules exempt, subject to such conditions as may beprescribed, any factory or class or description of factories from compliance with all orany of the provisions of this section.

Exemptions under sub-section (5) of section 3765. Exemptions.

The requirements of sub-section (4) of section 37 shall not apply to thefollowing processes carried on in any factory :

(a) The operation of repairing a water-sealed gas-holder by the electric

welding process, subject to the following conditions :


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(i) The gas-holder shall contain only the following gases, separatelyor mixed at a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure,namely town gas, coke-oven gas, producer gas, blast furnacegas, or gases other than air, used in their manufacture :

Provided that this exemption shall not apply to any gas-holder

containing acetylene or mixture of gases to which acetylene hasbeen added intentionally;

(ii) Welding shall only be done by the electric welding process andshall be carried out by experienced operatives under theconstant supervision of a competent person;

(b) The operations of cutting or welding steel or wrought iron gas mainsand services by the application of heat, subject to the followingconditions :

(i) The main or service shall be situated in the open air, and it shallcontain only the following gases, separately or mixed at a

pressure greater than atmospheric pressure, namely town gas,coke-oven gas, producer gas, blast furnace gas or gases otherthan air, used in their manufacture;

(ii) The main or service shall not contain acetylene or anything ormixture of gases to which acetylene has been addedintentionally;

(iii) The operation shall be carried out by an experienced person orpersons and at least two persons (including those carrying outthe operations) experienced in work on gas mains and over 18years of age shall be present during the operation;

(iv) The site of the operation shall be free from any inflammable orexplosive gas or vapour;

(v) Where acetylene gas is used as a source of heat in connectionwith an operation it shall be compressed and contained in aporous substance in a cylinder; and

(vi) Prior to the application of any flame to the gas main or service,this shall be pierced or drilled and the escaping gas ignited.

(c) The operation of repairing an oil tank on any ship by the electricwelding process, subject to the following conditions:

(i) The only oil contained in the tank shall have a flash point of notless than 150F (close test) and a certificate to this effect shallbe obtained from a competent analyst.

(ii) The analyst's certificate shall be kept available for inspection byan Inspector, or by any person employed or working on the ship :

(iii) The welding operation shall be carried out only on the exteriorsurface of the tank at a place (a) which is free from oil or oilleakage in inflammable quantities and (b) which is not less than30.5 centimetres below the nearest part of the surface of the oilwithin the tank; and

(iv) Welding shall be done only by the electric welding and shall be


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carried out by experienced operatives under the constantsupervision of a competent person.

38. Precautions in case of fire. (1) In every factory, all practicable measures shall betaken to prevent outbreak of fire and is spread, both internally and externally, and toprovide and maintain

(a) safe means of escape for all persons in the event of a fire; and

(b) the necessary equipment and facilities for extinguishing fire.

(2) Effective measures shall be taken to ensure that in every factory all the workersare familiar with the means of escape in case of fire and have been adequately trainedin the routine to be followed in such cases.

(3) The State Government may make rules, in respect of any factory or class or

description of factories, requiring the measures to be adopted to give effect to theprovisions of sub-ss.(1) and (2).

(4) Notwithstanding anything contained in clause (a) of sub-s. (1) or (2), if the ChiefInspector, having regard to the nature of the work carried on in any factory, theconstruction of such factory, special risk to life or safety, or any other circumstances,is of the opinion that the measures provided in the factory, whether as prescribed ornot, for the purposes of clause (a) of sub-s.(2) are inadequate, he may, be order inwriting, require that such additional measures as he may consider reasonable andnecessary, be provided in the factory before such date as is specified in the order.]

GF Rules prescribed under sub-section (1) of section 38

66. Means of escape in case of fire.

(1) Every factory shall be provided with adequate means of escape in caseof fire for the persons employed therein and without prejudice togenerality of the foregoing :

(a) Each room of a factory building shall in relation to its size andthe number of persons employed in it be provided with anadequate number of exits for use in case of fire though notnecessarily confined to such use, so positioned that each personwill have a reasonably free and unobstructed passage from hiswork-place to an exit;

(b) No exit intended for use in case of fire shall be less than 91.4centimetres in width nor less than 2 meters in height;

(c) In the case of a factory building or part of a factory building morethan one storey and in which less than twenty persons work atany one time, there shall be provided at least one substantialstairway permanently constructed either inside or outside thebuilding and which affords direct and unimpeded a access toground level;

(d) In the case of a factory building or part of a factory building inwhich twenty or more persons work at any one time above the


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level of the ground floor, or where in explosive or highlyinflammable materials are used or stored or which is situatedbelow ground level, the means of escape shall include at leasttwo separate and substantial stairways permanently constructedeither inside or outside the building and which afford direct andunimpeded access to ground level;

(e) Every stairway in a factory which affords a means of escape incase of fire shall be provided with a substantial handrail which ifthe stairway has an open side shall be on that side, and if thestairway has two open sides such handrail shall be provided onboth sides.

(2) In the case of a building constructed or converted for use as a factoryafter the date of the passing of the Act, the following additionalrequirements shall apply

(a) At least one of the stairways provided shall be of fire- resistingmaterials;

(b) Every hoist-way or lift-way inside a factory building shall becompletely enclosed with fire-resisting materials and all meansof access to the hoist or lift shall be fitted with doors of fire-resisting materials;

Provided that any such hoistway or lift-way shall be enclosedonly at the top by some material easily broken by fire or beprovided with a vent at the top;

(c) No fire escape stair shall be constructed at an angle greater than45 from the horizontal;

(d) The fire escape stair shall be within 45.7 meters along the line oftravel from any part of the floor from which it is meant to provideescape;

(e) No stairway shall be less than 91.4 centimetres in width.

1["66.A Fire protection.

(1) Processes, equipment, plant, involving serious explosion and serious

fire hazards.

(a) All processes, storage, equipments, plants etc. involvingserious explosion and flash fire hazard shall be located insegregated buildings where the equipment shall be so arrangedthat only a minimum number of employees are exposed to such

hazards at any one time.(b) All industrial processes involving serious fire hazard shall belocated in buildings or work places separated from one anotherby walls of fire-resistant construction.

(c) Equipment and plant involving serious fire or flash fire hazardshall, wherever possible, be so constructed and installed that incase of fire they can be easily isolated.

(d) Ventilation ducks, pneumatic and similar equipment involving aserious fire risk should be provided with flame-arresting orautomatic fire extinguishing appliances, or fire resistingdampers electrically inter-locked with heat sensitive/smokedetectors and the air-conditioning plant system.

(e) In all work places having serious fire or flash fire hazards,

passages between machines, installation or piles of materialshould be at least 90 cm wide for storage piles. The clearance


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provide continuous and protected means of egress to theexterior of a building or to an exterior open space. An exit mayalso include a horizontal exit leading to a adjoining building atthe same level.

(c) Lifts, escalators and revolving doors shall not be considered asexits for the purpose of this sub-rule.

(d) In every room of a factory exits sufficient to permit safe escapeof the occupants in case of fire or other emergency shall beprovided which shall be free of any obstruction.

(e) The exits shall be clearly visible and suitably illuminated withsuitable arrangement, whatever artificial lighting is to beadopted for this purpose, to maintain the required illumination incase of failure of the normal source of electric supply.

(f) The exits shall be marked in a language understood by the

majority of the workers.

(g) Iron rung ladders or spiral staircases shall not be used asstaircases.

(h) Fire resisting doors or roller shutters shall be provided atappropriate places along the escape routes to prevent spreadof fire and smoke, particularly at the entrance of lifts or stairswhere funnel or flue effect may be created inducing an upwardof fire;

(i) All exits shall provide continuous means of egress to the exteriorof a building or to an exterior open space leading to a street.

(j) Exits shall be so located that the travel distance to reach at leastone of them on the floor shall not exceed 30 meters.

(k) In case of those factories where high hazard materials are storedor used, the travel distance to the exit shall not exceed 22.5meters and there shall be at least two ways of escape fromevery room, however small, except toilet rooms, so located thatthe points of access thereto are out of or suitably shielded fromareas of high hazard.

(l) Wherever more than one exit is required for any room space orfloors, exit shall be placed as remote from each other as possible

and shall be arranged to provide direct access in separatedirections from any point in the area served.

(m) The unit of exit width used to measure capacity of any exit shallbe 50 cm. A clear width of 25 cm. shall be counted as anadditional half unit. Clear width of less than 25 cm. shall not becounted for exit width.

(n) Occupants per unit width shall be 50 for stairs and 75 for doors.

(o) For determining the exits required the occupant load shall bereckoned on the basis of actual number of occupants within anyfloor area or 10-square meters per person, whichever is more.

(p) There shall not be less than two exits serving every floor area


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above and below the ground floor, and at least one of them shallbe internal enclosed stairway.

(q) For every building or structure used for storage only, and everysection thereof considered separately, shall have access to atleast one exit so arranged and located as to provide a suitable

means of escape for any person employed therein, and in anysuch room wherein more than 10 persons may be normallypresent, at least two separate means of exit shall be available,as remote from each other as practicable.

(r) Every storage area shall have access to at least one means ofexit which can be readily opened.

(s) Every exit doorway shall open into an enclosed stairway, ahorizontal exit on a corridor or passageway providing continuousand protected means of egress.

(t) No exit doorway shall be less than 100 cm. in width, doorways

shall be not less than 200 cm. in height.

(u) Exit doorways shall open outwards, that is, away from the roombut shall not obstruct the travel along any exit. No door whenopened, shall reduce the required width of stairway or landing toless than 90 cm. Over head or sliding doors shall not be installedfor this purpose.

(v) An exit door shall not open immediately upon a flight of stairs. Alanding at least 1.5 m X 1.5 m in size shall be provided in thestairway at each door way. The level of landing shall be thesame as that of the floor which it serves.

(w) The exit doorways shall be openable from the side which theyserve without the use of a key.

(x) Exit corridors and passageways shall be of a width not less thanthe aggregate required width of exit doorways leading fromthere in the direction of travel to the exterior.

(y) Where stairways discharge through corridor and passageways,the height of the corridors and passageways shall not be lessthan 2.4 meters.

(aa) A staircase shall not be arranged round a lift shaft unless, the

latter is totally enclosed by a material having a fire-resistancerating not lower than that of the type of construction of theformer.

(bb) Hollow combustible construction shall not be permitted. (cc)The minimum width of an internal staircase shall be 100 cm.

(dd) The minimum width of treads without nossing shall be 25 cm. foran internal staircase. The treads shall be constructed andmaintained in a manner to prevent slipping.

(ee) The maximum height of a riser shall be 19 cm and the number ofrisers shall be limited to 12 per flight.

(ff) Hand rails shall be provided with a minimum height of 100 cm


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and shall be firmly supported.

(gg) The use of spiral staircase shall be limited to low occupant loadand to a building of height of 9 meters, unless they areconnected to platforms such as balconies and terraces to allowescapes to pause. A spiral staircase shall be not less than 300

cm. in diametre and have adequate head room.

(hh) The width of a horizontal exit shall be same as for the exitdoorways.

(ii) The horizontal exit shall be equipped with at least one fire doorof self-closing type.

(jj) The floor area on the opposite or refuge side of a horizontal exitshall be sufficient to accommodate occupants of the floor areaserved, allowing not less than 0.3 square meter per person. Therefuge area shall be provided with exits adequate to meet therequirements of this sub-rule. At least one of the exits shall lead

directly to the exterior or street.

(kk) Where there is difference in level between connected areas forhorizontal exit, ramps not more than 1 in 8 slope shall beprovided. For this purpose steps shall not be used.

(11) Doors in horizontal exits shall be openable at all times.

(mm) Ramps with a slope of not more than 1 in 10 be substituted forthe requirements of staircase. For all slopes exceeding 1 in 10and wherever the use is such as to involve danger of slipping,the ramp shall be surfaced with non-slipping material.

(nn) In any building not provided with automatic fire alarm a manualfire alarm system shall be provided if the total capacity of thebuilding is over 500 persons, or if more than 25 persons areemployed above or below the ground floor, except that nomanual fire alarm shall be required in one-storey buildings wherethe entire area is undivided and all parts thereof are clearlyvisible to all occupants.

(10) First-aid, fire fighting arrangements.

(a) In every factory there shall be provided and maintainedadequate and suitable fire fighting equipment for fighting fires in

the early stages, those being referred to as first-aid fire fightingequipment in this rule.

(b) The types of first-aid fire fighting equipment to be provided shallbe determined by considering the different types of fire riskswhich are classified as follows :

(i) "Class A fire" - Fire due to combustible materials such as wood,textiles, paper rubbish and the like.1. "Light hazard" - Occupancies like offices,

assembly halls, canteens, rest-rooms, ambulance roomsand the like;

2. "Ordinary hazard" - Occupancies like saw mills,carpentary shop, small timber yards, book binding shop,engineeringworkshop and the like;


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3. "Extra hazard" - Occupancies like large timber yards,godowns storing fibrous materials, flour mills, cottonmills, jute mills, large wood working factories and the like;

(ii) "Class B fire" - Fire in flammable liquids like oil, petroleumproducts, solvents, grease, paint, etc.

(iii) "Class C fire" - Fire arising out of gaseous substances.

(iv) "Class D fire" - Fire from reactive chemicals, active metals andthe like.

(v) "Class F fire" - Fire involving electrical equipment and delicate1machinery and the like.

(c) The number and type of first-aid fire fighting equipment to beprovided for "light hazard" occupancy shall be as given inschedule I. For "ordinary hazard or extra hazard" occupanciesequipment as given in para 12 shall be provided in addition tothat given in Schedule I.

(d) The first-aid fire fighting equipment shall conform to the relevantIndian Standards.

(e) As far as possible the first-aid fire fighting equipment shall all bein similar in shape and appearance and shall have the samemethod of operation.

(f) All first-aid fire fighting equipment shall be placed in aconspicuous position and shall be readily and easily accessiblefor immediate use. Generally, these equipments shall be placedas near as possible to the exits or stair landing or normal routesof escape.

(g) All water buckets and bucket pump type extinguishers shall befilled with clean water. All sand buckets shall be filled with cleandry and fine sand.

(h) All other extinguishers shall be charged appropriately inaccordance with the instructions of the manufacturer.

(i) Each first-aid fire fighting equipment shall be allotted a serialnumber by which it shall be referred to in the records. Thefollowing details shall be painted in white paint on the body ofeach equipment :

1. Serial Number;2. Date of last refilling; and

3. Date of last inspection.(j) First-aid fire fighting equipment shall be placed on platforms orin cabinets in such a way that their bottom is 750 mm above thefloor level. Fire buckets shall be placed on hooks attached to asuitable stand or wall in such a way that their bottom is 750 mmabove the floor level. Such equipment if placed outside thebuilding, shall be under sheds or covers.

(k) All extinguishers shall be thoroughly cleaned and re-chargedimmediately after discharge. Sufficient refill material shall bekept readily available for this purpose at all times.

(l) All first-aid fire fighting equipment shall be subjected to routine

maintenance, inspection and testing to be carried out byproperly trained persons. Periodicity of the routine maintenance,


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inspection and test shall conform to the relevant IndianStandards.

(11) Other fire-fighting arrangements.

(a) In every factory, adequate provision of water supply for the firefighting shall be made and where the amount of water, requiredin liters per minute, as calculated from the formula A+B+C+Ddivided by 20 is 550 or more, power driven trailer pumps ofadequate capacity to meet the requirement of water ascalculated above shall be provided and maintained. In theabove formula -A = the total area in square meters of all floors including

galleries in all buildings of the factory;B = the total area in square meters of all floors and galleries

including open spaces in which combustible materials arehandled or stored;

C = the total area in square meters of all floors over 15meters above ground level; and

D = the total area in square meters of all floors of all buildingother than those of fire resisting construction :

Provided that in areas where the fire risk involved does notrequire use of water, such areas under B, C or D may, for thepurpose of calculation be halved :

Provided further that where the area under B, C or D arepermanent automatic fire fighting installations approved by anyfire association or fire insurance company, such areas may, forthe purpose of calculation, be halved :

Provided also that where the factory is situated at not more than

3 kilometers from an established city or town fire service, thepumping capacity based on the amount of water arrived at bythe formula above may be reduced by 25% but no account shallbe taken of this reduction in calculating water supply requiredunder clause (a).

(b) Each trailer pump shall be provided with equipment as perschedule II appended to this rule. Such equipment shall conformto the relevant Indian Standards.

(c) Trailer pumps shall be housed in a separate shed which shall besited close to a principal source of water supplies in the vicinityof the main risk of the factory.

(d) In factories where the area is such as cannot be reached byman-hauling of trailer pumps within reasonable time, vehicleswith towing attachment shall be provided at the scale of oneevery four trailer pumps with a minimum of one such vehiclekept available at all times.

(e) Water supply shall be provided to give flow of water as requiredunder clause (a) for at least 100 minutes. At least 50% of thiswater supply or 450,000 liters whichever is less, shall be in theform of static tanks of adequate capacities (not less than450,000 liters each) distributed round the factory with dueregard to the potential fire risks in the factory. Where pipedsupply is provided, the size of the main shall not be less than 15centimetres diametre and it shall be capable of supplying aminimum of 4500 liters per minute at a pressure of not less than


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extinguisher and two buckets per compartment of the building. Bucketsmay be dispensed with, provided supply of extinguishers is double thanthat indicated above.

(3) Acceptable replacement for water buckets and water type extinguishersin occupancies where class B fires are anticipated, are as under :

Acceptable Buckets of Water Water type

Replacement For one for three extinguishers.

bucket buckets For each 9 ltrs.extinguishers.

1 2 3 4 5

Dry sand 1 bucket 3 buckets -

Carbon dioxide kg. 9kg. 9kg.

Extinguishers (In not less

than 2 extinguishers).

Dry powder 2kg. 5kg. 5kg.

extinguishers

Foamextinguishers.

9 liters 9 liters 9 litters 9 litters

(4) The following provisions shall be complied with if class E fires areanticipated(a) For rooms containing electrical transformers, switchgears,

motors and/or other electrical apparatus only, not less than (two)2kg. Dry powder or Carbon Dioxide type extinguishers shall beprovided within 15 m. of the apparatus.

(b) Where motors and/or other electrical equipments are installed inrooms other than those containing such equipment only, one 5

kg Dry powder or Carbon dioxide extinguisher shall be installedwithin 15m. of such equipment in addition to the requirementsmentioned at (3) and (4) above. For this purpose the sameextinguisher may be deemed to afford protection to allapparatus within 15m. thereof.

(c) where electrical motors are installed on platform, one 2 Kg Drypowder or Carbon Dioxide type extinguisher shall be provided onor below each platforms. In case of a long platform with anumber of motors, one extinguisher shall be acceptable asadequate for every 3 months on the common platform. Theabove requirements shall be in addition to the requirementsmentioned at item (3) & (4) above.

(5) The first-aid fire-fighting equipments shall be so distributed over theentire floor area that a person has to travel not more than 15m. toreach the nearest equipment.

(6) Selection of sites for the installation of first-aid fire- fighting equipment.(a) While selecting sites for first aid fire fighting equipment shall be

given to the nature of the risk to be covered. The equipmentsshall be placed in conspicuous positions and shall be readilyaccessible for immediate' use in all parts of the occupancy. Itshall always be borne in mind while selecting sites that first aidfire fighting equipments are intended only for use on incipient

fires and their valves may be negligible if the fire is notextinguished or brought under control in the early stages.


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(b) Buckets and extinguishers shall be placed at convenient andeasily accessible locations either on hangers or on stands in sucha way that their bottom is 750 mm above the floor level.

(7) The operating instructions of the extinguishers shall not be defacedor obliterated. In case the operating instructions are obliterated or have

become illegible due to passage of time fresh transfers of the sameshall be obtained from the manufacturers of the equipment and affixedto the extinguishers.

SCHEDULE - II

Equipments to be provided with Trailer pump.For light trailer pump of a capacity of 680 liters/minute1 Armored suction house of 9 meters length, with wrenches1 Metal suction strainers1 Basket strainer1 Two-way suction collection head

1 Suction adapter10 Unlined or rubber lined 70 mm delivery hose of 25 meters lengthcomplete with quick-release couplings.

1 Dividing breaching-piece2 Branch-piece with 15 mm nozzles 1 Diffuser nozzle1 Standpipe with blank cap1 Hydrant key4 Collapsible canvas buckets1 Fire hook (preventor) with cutting edge1 25 mm manila rope of 30 meters length1 Extension ladder of 9 meters length (where necessary)1 Heavy axe1 Spade

1 Pick axe1 Crowbar1 Saw1 Hurricane lamp1 Electric torch1 Pair of rubber glovesFor large trailer pump of capacity of 1800 liters/minute1 Armored suction hose of 9 meters length with wrenches1 Metal strainer1 Baskes strainer1 Three-way suction collecting-head1 Section adapter14 Unlined or rubber lined 70 mm delivery hose of 25 metres length

complete with quick-release couplings1 Dividing breaching-piece1 Collecting breaching-piece4 Branch pipes with one 25 mm, two 20 mm and one diffuser nozzles2 Standpipe with blank caps 2 Hydrant keys6 Collapsible canvas buckets1 Coiling hook (preventor) with cutting edge1 50 mm manila rope of 30 meters length1 Extension ladder of 9 meters length (where necessary)1 Heavy axe1 Spade1 Plack axe1 Crawbar1 Hurricane lamp1 Electric torch


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1 Pair rubber gloves.Note : If it appears to the Chief Inspector of Factories that in any factory theprovision of breathing apparatus is necessary, he may, by order in writing,require the occupier to provide suitable breathing apparatus in addition to theequipments for light trailer pump or large trailer pump, as the case may be"]

39. Power to require specifications of defective parts or tests of stability. If itappears to the Inspector that any building or part of a building or any part of the ways,machinery or plant in a factory is in such a condition that it may be dangerous tohuman life or safety, he may serve on [the occupier or manager or both] of the factoryan order in writing requiring him before a specified date

(a) to furnish such drawings, specifications and other particulars as may benecessary to determine whether such building, ways, machinery or plant canbe used with safety, or

(b) to carry out such tests in such manner as may be specified in the order, and toinform the Inspector of the results thereof.

40. Safety of buildings and machinery. (1) If it appears to the Inspector that anybuilding or part of a building or any part of the ways, machinery or plant in a factory isin such a condition that it is dangerous to human life or safety, he may serve on [theoccupier or manager or both] of the factory of the factory an order in writingspecifying the measures which in his opinion should be adopted, and requiring themto be carried out before a specified date.

(2) If it appears to the Inspector that the use of any building or part of a building orany part of the ways, machinery or plant in a factory involves, imminent danger tohuman life or safety, he may serve on [the occupier or manager or both] the factory

an order in writing prohibiting its use until it has been properly repaired or altered.

40-A. Maintenance of buildings.- If it appears to the Inspector that any building orpart of a building in a factory is in such a state of disrepair as it likely to lead toconditions detrimental to the health and welfare of the workers, he may serve on theoccupier or manager or both of the factory an order in writing specifying the measureswhich in his opinion should be taken and requiring the same to be carried out beforesuch date as is specified in the order.

40-B. Safety Officers. (1) In every factory

(i) wherein one thousand or more workers are ordinarily employed; or

(ii) wherein, in the opinion of the State Government, any manufacturing process oroperation is carried on, which process or operation involves any risk of bodilyinjury, poisoning or disease, or any other hazard to health, to the personsemployed in the factory;

the occupier shall, if so required by the State Government by notification in the OfficialGazette, employ such number of Safety Officers as may be specified in thatnotification.

(2) The duties, qualifications and conditions of service or Safety Officers shall be suchas may be prescribed by the State Government.

41. Power to make rules to supplement this chapter. The State Governmentmay make rules requiring the provision in any factory or in any class or description of


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factories of such further [devices and measures] for securing the safety of personsemployed therein as it may deem necessary.

Rules prescribed under section 41

68. Ladders.All ladders used in replacing belts shall be specially made and reserved for thatwork and provided with hooks or an effective non-skid device. Laddersprovided with hooks must have hooks fitted in s

Documents

Factories Act for Safety