42. Washing facilities.—(1) In every factory—
(a) adequate and suitable facilities for washing shall be provided and maintained for the use of the
workers therein;
(b) separate and adequately screened facilities shall be provided for the use of male and female
workers;
(c) such facilities shall be conveniently accessible and shall be kept clean.
(2) The State Government may, in respect of any factory or class or description of factories or of any
manufacturing process, prescribe standards of adequate and suitable facilities for washing.
43. Facilities for storing and drying clothing.—The State Government may, in respect of any
factory or class or description of factories, make rules requiring the provision therein of suitable places
for keeping clothing not worn daring working hours and for the drying of wet clothing.
44. Facilities for sitting.—(1) In every factory suitable arrangements for sitting shall be provided and
maintained for all workers obliged to work in a standing position, in order that they may take advantage
of any opportunities for rest which may occur in the course of their work.
(2) If, in the opinion of the Chief Inspector, the workers in any factory engaged in a particular
manufacturing process or working in a particular room are able to do their work efficiently in a sitting
position, he may, by order in writing, require the occupier of the factory to provide before a specified date
such seating arrangements as may be practicable for all workers so engaged or working.
(3) The State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazelle, declare that the provisions of
sub-section (1) shall not apply to any specified factory or class or description of factories or to any
specified manufacturing process.
45. First-aid appliances.—(1) There shall in every factory be provided and maintained so as to be
readily accessible during all working hours first-aid boxes or cupboards equipped with the prescribed
30
contents, and the number of such boxes or cupboards to be provided and maintained shall not be less than
one for every one hundred and fifty workers ordinarily employed 1
[at any one time] in the factory.
2
[(2) Nothing except the prescribed contents shall be kept in a first-aid box or cupboard.
(3) Each first-aid box or cupboard shall be kept in the charge of a separate responsible person 3
[who
holds a certificate in first-aid treatment recognised by the State Government] and who shall always be
readily available during the working hours of the factory.]
4
[(4) In every factory wherein more than five hundred workers are 5
[ordinarily employed] there shall
be provided and maintained an ambulance room of the prescribed size, containing the prescribed
equipment and in the charge of such medical and nursing staff as may be prescribed 6
[and those facilities
shall always be made readily available during the working hours of the factory].
STATE AMENDMENTS
Karnataka
Amendment of section 45.—In section 45 of the Factories Act, 1948 (Central Act LXIII of 1948)
(hereinafter referred to as the principal Act), in sub-section (4), for the words “five hundred” the words
“two hundred” shall be substituted.
[Vide Karnataka Act 1 of 2003, s. 2].
46. Canteens.—(1) The State Government may make rules requiring that in any specified factory
wherein more than two hundred and fifty workers are ordinarily employed, a canteen or canteens shall be
provided and maintained by the occupier for the use of the workers.]
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such r u les may provide for—
(a) the date by which such canteen shall be provided;
(b) the standards in respect of construction, accommodation, furniture and other equipment of the
canteen;
(c) the foodstuffs to be served therein and the charges which may be made therefore;
(d) the constitution of a managing committee for the canteen and representation of the workers in
the management of the canteen;
7
[(dd) the items of expenditure in the running of the canteen which are not to be taken into
account in fixing the cost of foodstuffs and which shall be borne by the employer;]
(e) the delegation to the Chief Inspector, subject to such conditions as may be prescribed, of the
power to make rules under clause (c).
47. Shelters, rest rooms and lunch rooms.—(1) In every factory wherein more than one hundred
and fifty workers are ordinarily employed, adequate and suitable shelters or rest rooms and a suitable
lunch room, with provision for drinking water, where workers can eat meals brought by them, shall be
provided and maintained for the use of the workers;
Provided that any canteen maintained in accordance with the provisions of section 46 shall be
regarded as part of the requirements of this sub-section:
Provided further that where a lunch room exists no worker shall eat any food in the work room.
(2) The shelters or rest rooms or lunch rooms to be provided under sub-section (1) shall be
sufficiently lighted aid ventilated and shall be maintained in a cool and clean condition.
1. Ins. by Act 25 of 1954, s. 9 (w.e.f. 7-5-1954).
2. Subs. by s. 9, ibid., for sub-section (2) (w.e.f. 7-5-1954).
3. Subs. by Act 94 of 1976, s. 21, for “who is trained in first-aid treatment” (w.e.f. 26-10-1976).
4. Sub-section (3) re-numbered as sub-section (4) by Act 25 of 1954, s. 9 (w.e.f. 7-5-1954).
5. Subs. by Act 94 of 1976, s. 21, for “employed” (w.e.f. 26-10-1976).
6. Ins. by s. 21, ibid. (w.e.f. 26-10-1976).
7. Ins. by Act 94 of 1976, s. 22 (w.e.f. 26-10-1976).
31
(3) The State Government may—
(a) prescribe the standards in respect of construction, accommodation, furniture and other
equipment of shelters, rest rooms and lunch rooms to be provided under this section;
(b) by notification in the Official Gazette, exempt any factory or class or description of factories
from the requirements of this section.
48. Creches.—(1) In every factory wherein more than1
[thirty women workers] are ordinarily
employed there shall be provided and maintained a suitable room or rooms for the use of children under
the age of six years of such women.
(2) Such rooms shall provide adequate accommodation, shall be adequately lighted and ventilated,
shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition and shall be under the charge of women trained in
the care of children and infants.
(3) The State Government may make rules—
(a) prescribing the location and the standards in respect of construction, accommodation,
furniture and other equipment of rooms to be provided under this section;
(b) requiring the provision in factories to which this section applies of additional facilities for the
care of children belonging to women workers, including suitable provision of facilities for washing
and changing their clothing;
(c) requiring the provision i n any factory of free milk or refreshment or both for such children;
(d) requiringthat facilities shall be given in any factory for the mothers of such children to feed
them at the necessary intervals.
49. Welfare officers.—(1) In every factory wherein five hundred or more workers are ordinarily
employed the occupier shall employ in the factory such number of welfare officers as may be prescribed.
(2) The State Government may prescribe the duties, qualifications and conditions of service of
officers employed under sub-section (1).
STATE AMENDMENTS
Karnataka
Amendment of section 49.—In section 49 of the principal Act,—
(1) in sub-section (1), for the words “five hundred” the words “two hundred” shall be substituted;
(2) after sub-section (1), the following shall be inserted, namely:—
“(1A) In every factory where two hundred or more women workers are ordinarily employed the
occupier shall employ in the factory, such number of female supervisors, as may be prescribed.”
[Vide Karnataka Act 1 of 2003, s. 3].
50. Power to make rules to supplement this Chapter.—The State Government may make rules—
(a) exempting, subject to compliance with such alternative arrangements for the welfare of
workers as may be prescribed, any factory or class or description of factories from compliance with
any of the provisions of this Chapter;
(b) requiring in any factory or class or description of factories that representatives of the workers
employed in the factory shall be associated with the management of the welfare arrangements of the
workers.