CHAPTER V.- Welfare

Section 42. Washing facilities.-

(1) In every factory-

• (a) adequate and suitable facilities for washing shall be provided and maintained for 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.

Section 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 place for keeping clothing not worn during working hours and for the drying of wet clothing.

Section 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 Gazette, 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.

Section 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 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 at any one time in the factory.

(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, who holds a certificate in first-aid treatment recognized by the State Government and who shall always be readily available during the working hours of the factory.

(4) In every factory wherein more than five hundred workers are 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 and those facilities shall always be made readily available during the working hours of the factory.

Section 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 in the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may provide for-

• (a) the date by which such canteen shall be provided;
• (b) the standard 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 therefor;
• (d) the constitution of a managing committee for the canteen and representation of the workers in the management of the canteen;
• (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 Chief Inspector subject to such conditions as may be prescribed, of the power to make rules under clause (c).

Section 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-room or lunch-room to be provided under sub-section (1) shall be sufficiently lighted and ventilated and shall be maintained in a cool and clean condition.

(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.

Section 48. Creches -

(1) In every factory wherein more than 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 the 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 in any factory of free milk or refreshment or both for such children;
• (d) requiring that facilities shall be given in any factory for the mothers of such children to feed them at the necessary intervals.

Section 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). 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 factories shall be associated with the management of the welfare arrangements of the workers.