An important piece of legislation in India that aims to protect the welfare, health, and safety of people engaged in factories is the Factory Act, 1948. These are some important elements of compliance.

1-Registration of Factory: Any location with 10 or more employees using power, or twenty or more employees working without power, is covered by the Production Act. Such factories must be registered with the local government agency.

2-Licensing and Renewal: Depending on the state regulations, factories may require obtaining licenses from the respective State Government. These licenses need to be renewed periodically.

3-Working Hours: The act regulates the number of hours that a worker can be employed in a factory and the conditions of their work. Generally, it restricts the working hours to 48 hours per week and prescribes overtime rates for work done beyond this limit.

4-Health and Safety Measures: A number of health and safety requirements are imposed by the Act, including those related to lighting, drinking water, temperature, humidity, ventilation, cleanliness, and other amenities.

5-Welfare Measures: The Act also requires provisions for amenities such as canteens, shelters, restrooms, and first-aid facilities to be provided by the employer.

6-Prohibition of Employment of Young Workers: The Act prohibits the employment of young children—typically less than 14—in sectors and regulates the working conditions of adolescents, or those between the ages of 15 and 18.

7-Annual Leave with Wages: According to the Act, employees are entitled to annual leave with pay following a predetermined amount of continuous service.

8-Working Conditions: The Act also outlines specific provisions regarding working conditions, including rules for dangerous operations, machinery safety, handling of hazardous substances, and more.

9-Compliance Records: Factory compliance documents, including worker registrations, accident reports, inspection reports, and other Act-mandated statutory records, must be kept up to date.

10-Inspections and Penalties: Regulatory authorities conduct periodic inspections to ensure compliance. Non-compliance can lead to penalties, fines, or even closure of the factory.

11-Amendments and Updates: It is imperative that managers and owners of factories remain informed about any modifications made to the Factory Act and make sure that compliance is maintained.

In addition to being required by law, adherence to the Factory Act is also morally right in the interest of workers’ welfare. In addition to facing legal repercussions, noncompliance puts employees’ health and safety at jeopardy. As a result, it is crucial that managers and owners of factories carefully follow the Act’s stipulations.