Karnataka Factories Act of 1969

“Factory” means any premises including the precincts thereof –

i) Whereon ten or more workers are working, or were working on, any day of the preceding 12
months, and in any part of which a manufacturing process is being carried on with the aid of
power, or is ordinarily so carried on, or
ii) Whereon twenty or more workers are working, or were working on any day of the preceding 12
months, and in any part of which a manufacturing process is being carried on without the aid of
power, or is ordinarily so carried on, ---

Health

1. Cleanliness, Section 11: Except for the specially exempted all inside walls and partitions, all ceilings
on tops of passages and staircases in a factory shall be kept white-washed or colour washed. The white-
wash or colour-wash shall be carried out atleast once in 14 months. The floors of every workroom shall
be cleaned atleast once in every week by washing, using disinfectant where necessary, or some other
method.

2. Disposal of Wastes and Effluents, Section 12: Effective arrangements shall be made in every factory
to dispose wastes and effluents due to manufacturing process carried on therein.

3. Ventilation and Temperature, Section 13: Effective and suitable provisions shall be made in every
factory for securing and maintaining in every factory for securing and maintaining in every workroom
adequate ventilation by circulation of fresh air and such a temperature as will secure to workers therein
reasonable conditions of comfort and prevent injury to health. Inspector is to fix standards in certain
cases.

4. Overcrowding, Section 16: Unless exemption has been granted there shall be in every workroom of a
factory in existence on April 1st, 1949 atleast 9.9cubic metres and of a factory built after this date
atleast 14.2cubic metres of space for every worker employed therein and for this purpose no account
shall be taken of any space which is more than 4.27m above the level of the floor of the room.

5. Lighting, Section 17: In every part of the factory where workers are working or passing, there shall be
provided and maintained sufficient and suitable lighting, natural or artificial or both. Inspector is to fix
standards in certain cases.

6. Drinking Water, Section 18: Every part of the factory shall provide and maintain, at suitable points,
conveniently situated sufficient supply of wholesome drinking water. In every factory which has more
than 250 workers, cooled drinking water is to be provided in evry canteen, lunch room and rest room
situated in convenient places.

7. Latrines and Urinals, Section 19: Provides that there must be latrines and urinals in every factory.
The number of latrines and urinals should be sufficient and appropriate. There must be separate latrines
and urinals for female workers and male workers. Sufficient sweepers should be employed to keep
urinals, latrines who should wash and clean them regularly. Where the number of workers exceeds 250,
greater effective sanitary measures should be provided.

8. Spittoons, Section 20: This imposes that every occupier should provide a sufficient number of
spittoons in his factory at convenient places. Such spittoons shall be maintained in a clean and hygienic
 condition. The occupier may exhibit notices containing the prohibition of spitting within the premises
of the factory except in the spittoons, and the penalty for violation may also be imposed in that notice,
which may shall be punishable with fine not exceeding Rs.5/-

Safety

9. Fencing of Machinery, Section 21: In every factory, dangerous parts of machines shall be securely
fenced by safeguards of a substantial construction which shall be kept in position, while the part of the
machinery they are fencing are in motion or in use.

10. Working on or near machinery in motion, Section 22: No women or children shall be allowed to
clean, lubricate or adjust any part of the machinery while that part of the machinery is in motion, or to
work between moving parts, or between fixed and moving parts of any machinery.

11. Employment of young persons on dangerous machines, Section 23: provides that no young person
shall be required or allowed to work at any machine unless he has been fully instructed as to the
dangers arising in connection with the machine and precautions to be observed and, --

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

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

12. Casing of New Machinery, Section 26: provides that in all machinery driven by power and installed
in any factory,--

(a) every set screw, bolt or key on any revolving shaft, spindle, wheel or pinion shall be so sunk,
encased or otherwise effectively guarded as to prevent danger;
(b) all spur, worm and other toothed or friction gearing which does not require frequent adjustment
while in motion shall be completely encased, unless it is so situated as to be safe as safe as it would be
if it were completely encased.

Whoever sells or lets on hire or, as agent of a seller or hirer, causes or procures to be sold or let on hire,
for use in a factory any machinery driven by power which does not comply with the above provisions
or any rules made by State Government, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may
extend to 3 months or with fine which may extend to Rs.500/- or with both.

13. Prohibition of Employment of Women and Children near Cotton-Openers, Section 27: No
woman or child shall be employed in any part of the factory for pressing cotton in which Cotton-
Opener is at Work.

14. Excessive Weights, Section 34: Imposes that no person shall be employed in any factory to lift, carry
or move any load so heavy as to be likely to cause him injury. Load limit for each individual are,--

Adult Male – 50kg

Adult Female – 30kg
Adolescent Male – 30kg
Adolescent Female – 25kg
Male Child – 20kg
 Female Child – 15kg

15. Protection of Eyes, Section 35: provides that in respect of any such manufacturing process carried on
in any 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 of the process; or
(b) risk to the eyes by reason of exposure to excessive light, the State Government may by rules require
that effective screens or suitable goggles shall be provided for the protection of persons employed on,
or in the immediate vicinity of, the process.

16. Precaution in Case of Fire, Section 38: provides that in every factory, all practicable measures shall
be taken to prevent out-break of fire and its spread, both internally and externally, and to provide 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

Effective measures shall be taken to ensure that in every factory all the workers are familiar with the
means of escape in case of fire and have been adequately trained in the routine to be followed in such
cases.

Welfare

17. Washing Facilities, Section 42: provides that in every factory, there shall be adequate and suitable
facilities for washing. Such facilities should be,--

(a) adequate and suitable;

(b) maintained;
(c) kept clean;
(d) there shall be separate washing facilities for malles and females with adequate screens, so that the
opposite sex shall enjoy privacy.
(e) conveniently accessible

The State Government is delegated power to prescribe standards of adequate and suitable facilities for
washing.

18. Facilities for Storing and Drying, Section 43: empowers the State Government to make rules for
suitable provisions for, --

(a) keeping clothes not worn during working hours;

(b) for drying of wet clothing

There must be adequate and suitable accommodation providing facilities for strong and drying
clothing.

19. Facilities for Sitting, Section 44: provides that 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.

20. First Aid and Ambulance Room, Section 45: Imposes that every factory shall maintain First-Aid
appliances. Such First-Aid boxes should be readily accessible during all working hours in First-Aid
boxes or cupboards. First-Aid should be equipped with the prescribed contents. They must be
 maintained depending upon the strength of the workers. Atleast 1 First-Aid box with prescribed
contents shall be maintained for every 150 workers ordinarily employed at any one time of the Factory.

Where, the number of workers exceeds 500, the occupier maintain an ambulance room of the
prescribed size, containing the prescribed equipment and in the charge of such medical and nursing
staff.

21. Canteens, Section 46: imposes that every occupier, in whose factory 250 or more workers are
employed, shall maintain a canteen or canteens. The State Government is empowered to make rules for
maintaining and providing canteen or canteens. The Section also lays down certain directions for
making provisions in the rules =, viz, --

(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 thereof;
(d) the constitution of a managing committee for the canteen and representation of the workers in the
management of the canteen;
- 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).

22. Shelters, Rest Rooms and Lunch Rooms, Section 47: provides that the occupier should provide
adequate and suitable shelters or rest rooms and a suitable lunch room, with drinking water, in every
factory, wherein more than 150 workers are ordinarily employed. Where canteen is maintained in
accordance with the provisions of Section 46 shall be sufficiently lighted and ventilated and shall be
maintained in a cool and clean condition.

23. Creche, Section 48 and Rule: imposes that in every factory wherein more than 50 workers are
ordinarily employed there shall be provided and maintained a suitable or rooms for the use of children
under the age of six years of such women.

(a) adequate accommodation;

(b) adequate light;
(c) adequate ventilation;
(d) shall be maintained in clear and sanitary conditions, and
(e) such crèche shall be under the charge of a trained woman in the care of children and infants.

24. Welfare Officers, Section 49: provides that in every factory wherein 500 or more workers are
ordinarily employed the occupier shall employ in the factory such number of welfare officers as may
be prescribed. The State Government is delegated the power to make the rules prescribing the duties,
qualifications and conditions of service of officers employed.

25. Dangerous Operations, Section 87 and Rules: Employment of women, adolescents and children is
prohibited or restricted in certain operations declared dangerous eg. Manufacturing of aerated water,
electroplating, glass manufacture, grinding or glazing of metals, manufacturing and treatment of lead
and certain compound of lead, generation of gas from dangerous petrol, sand blasting, liming and
tanning of raw hides and skins, and handling lubricants etc.