Understanding Factories Act 1948 Provisions for Worker Welfare

The Factories Act, 1948 lays down various provisions concerning the health, safety, welfare, and working hours of workers in factories. The question asks us to match specific welfare provisions listed in List I with the corresponding minimum number of workers required for that provision to be mandatory, as given in List II, according to the Act.

Let's analyze each item and its required worker strength as per the standard provisions of the Factories Act, 1948, and then look at the matching provided in the correct option.

• (a) Cool drinking water during hot season: As per Section 18 of the Act, every factory employing more than 250 workers is required to provide cool drinking water during hot weather.
• (b) Employment of safety officer: As per Section 40B of the Act, a Safety Officer must be appointed in a factory employing 1000 or more workers, or where the manufacturing process is hazardous and employs 250 or more workers.
• (c) First aid box: As per Section 45(1) of the Act, every factory employing more than 150 workers must maintain a first-aid box at a scale of at least one first-aid box or cupboard for every 150 workers ordinarily employed.
• (d) Ambulance room: As per Section 45(3) of the Act, an ambulance room of prescribed size and equipment must be provided and maintained if the factory employs 500 or more workers.

Matching Provisions with Worker Numbers as per the Correct Option

Based on the provided correct answer option, the items from List I are matched with items from List II as follows:

Let's examine the matching based on the provided answer:

• (a) Cool drinking water during hot season is matched with (i) 150 workers. While the Act typically mandates cool water for >250 workers, this is the pairing given.
• (b) Employment of safety officer is matched with (ii) More than 250 workers. This aligns with the condition in Section 40B requiring a safety officer in factories with a hazardous process employing 250 or more workers.
• (c) First aid box is matched with (iii) More than 500 workers. The Act requires first-aid boxes for factories with >150 workers, but this pairing is as per the option. Note that the Act requires an Ambulance Room for 500 or more workers.
• (d) Ambulance room is matched with (iv) 1000 or more workers. The Act requires an Ambulance Room for factories employing 500 or more workers, but this pairing is as per the option.

Combining these matches, the correct combination provided is (a) - (i), (b) - (ii), (c) - (iii), (d) - (iv).

Revision Table: Factories Act 1948 Key Provisions

Additional Information on Factories Act 1948

The Factories Act, 1948 is a comprehensive legislation in India governing the working conditions in factories. Its primary objectives are to ensure adequate safety measures and to promote the health and welfare of the workers employed in factories. Key areas covered include:

• Health: Cleanliness, ventilation, lighting, drinking water, latrines, spittoons, etc.
• Safety: Fencing of machinery, work on or near machinery in motion, striking gear and devices for cutting off power, hoists and lifts, lifting machines, etc.
• Welfare: Washing facilities, facilities for storing and drying clothing, facilities for sitting, first aid appliances, canteens, shelters, rest rooms and lunch rooms, creches, welfare officers, etc.
• Working Hours of Adults: Weekly hours, daily hours, intervals for rest, spreadover, night shifts, etc.
• Employment of Young Persons: Prohibition of employment of children, certificates of fitness, working hours for children and adolescents.
• Annual Leave With Wages: Rules regarding earned leave.
• Special Provisions: Power to declare dangerous operations, power to make rules regarding safety of building and machinery, etc.

Compliance with these provisions is mandatory for all factories covered under the Act, which generally applies to premises where manufacturing process is carried out with the aid of power employing 10 or more workers, or without the aid of power employing 20 or more workers.