11.

Environmental monitoring
An important aspect of occupational health programme is environmental
monitoring. It is concerned with periodical environmental surveys,
especially sampling the factory atmosphere to determine whether the
dusts and gases escaping into the atmosphere are within the limits of
permissible concentration.
12. Statistical monitoring
The main objective of these reviews is to evaluate the adequacy of
preventive measures and occupational health criteria, including
permissible exposure levels.
13. Research
Study of the permissible limits of exposure to dusts and toxic fumes,
occupational cancer, accident prevention, industrial fatigue and
vocational psychology are some aspects of research in occupational
health.
3. LEGISLATION
Factory laws, have been framed in every country to govern the
conditions in industry and to safeguard the health and welfare of the
worker. The most important factory laws in India today are:
( 1) The Factories Act, 1948
(2) The Employees' State Insurance Act, 1948
There are other specialized Acts adapted to the particular
circumstances of the industry, e.g .. , the Mines Act, the
Plantation Act, the Minimum Wages Act, the Maternity Benefit Act, etc.
All these Acts lay down certain standards to which the employer must
comply to ensure health and safety to workers.
The Factories Act, 1948
The first Indian Factories Act dates as far back as 1881. The Act was
revised and amended several times, the latest being the Factories
(Amendment} Act, 1987. A brief description of the Act is given below:
(1) SCOPE: The Act defines factory as an establishment employing
10 or more workers where power is used, and 20 or more
workers where power is not used. The State Governments are
authorized to appoint besides the Chief Inspector of Factories as
many Additional Chief Inspectors, Joint Chief Inspectors,
 Deputy Chief Inspectors and Inspectors as they think fit to
enforce the provisions of the law.

(2) HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE: (Chapter III, IV,

IVA, & V). Elaborate provisions have been made in the Act
with regard to health, safety and welfare of the workers. In
addition to such matters as cleanliness, lighting and
ventilation, the Act provides for the treatment of wastes and
effluents so as to render them innocuous, and for their
disposal, the elimination of dusts and fumes, the provision
of spittoons, control of temperature, supply of cool drinking
water during summer and for the employment of cleaners to
keep the water closets clean.
. The Act provides that no worker shall be required to lift or carry loads
which are likely to cause him injury. The State Governments are
empowered to prescribe maximum weights which may be lifted or
carried by men, women and children. The 1976 amendment (Section 40
B) provides for the appointment of 'Safety Officers' in every factory
wherein 1,000 or more workers are ordinarily employed. The Act
contains a separate Chapter (Chapter V) relating to specific welfare
measures, e.g., washing facilities, facilities for storing and drying
clothes, facilities for sitting, first-aid appliances, shelters, rest-rooms and
lunch rooms, canteens and creches. The Act specifies that wherein more
than 250 workers are ordinarily employed, a canteen shall be provided.
The 1976 amendment provides for creches in every factory wherein
more than 30 women workers are ordinarily employed. In every factory,
wherein 500 or more workers are ordinarily employed, there should be a
Welfare Officer.
(2) EMPLOYMENT OF YOUNG PERSONS:
The Act prohibits employment of children below the age of 14
years and declares persons between the ages 15 and 18 to be
adolescents. Adolescents should be duly certified by the "Certifying
Surgeons" regarding their fitness for work. Restrictions have been laid
down on employment of women and children in certain dangerous
occupations. Child who has not completed his fourteenth year of age has
been restricted from employment in any factory.
Adolescent employee is allowed to work only between 6AM. & 7P.M.
(4) HOURS OF WORK: The Act has prescribed a maximum of 48
working hours per week, not exceeding 9 hours per day with rest for at
least ½ hour after 5 hours of continuous work. For adolescents, the
hours of work have been reduced from 5 to 4 ½ per day. The 1976
amendment makes a provision to increase the spread-over period of
work (including rest intervals) of an employee in a factory up to 12
hours from the existing 10 ½ hours. The total number of hours of work
in a week including overtime shall not exceed 60.
(5) LEAVE WITH WAGES: The Act lays down that besides weekly
holidays, every worker will be entitled to leave with wages after 12
month's continuous service at thefollowing rate; adult - one day for
every 20 days of work, children - one day for every 15 days of work.
The leave can be accumulated up to 30 days in case of adults and 40
days in case of children. ·
(6) OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES: It is obligatory on the part of the
factory management to give information regarding specified accidents
which cause death, serious bodily injury or regarding occupational
diseases contracted by employees. The Act gives a schedule of notifiable
diseases. The 1976 amendment includes Byssinosis, Asbestosis,
occupational dermatitis and noise-induced hearing loss among the list of
notifiable diseases and provides for enquiry in every case of a fatal
accident. Provision has also been made in the 1976 amendment for
safety and occupational health surveys in factories and industries.
(7) EMPLOYMENT IN HAZARDOUS PROCESSES :
The Central Govt. has incorporated a new Chapter IV-A by the
Factories (Amendment) Act, 1987, relating to hazardous processes. Site
Appraisal Committee consisting of Chief Inspector and other members,
not more than 14 in number, for examination of service conditions of
employees in a factory, involving hazardous processes, is to be
constituted for recommendations. Specific responsibility of the occupier
in relation to hazardous processes were also made with workers'
participation in safety management. List of industries involving
hazardous processes is prescribed in 1st schedule of the Act.