FACTORIES, OFFICES AND SHOPS ACT, 1970 (ACT 328) ★

DATE OF PRESIDENTIAL ASSENT:  12^th May, 1970.

DATE OF GAZETTE NOTIFICATION:

AN  ACT  to  provide  for  the  registration  of  factories,  the  health,  welfare  and  safety  of  persons employed in factories, offices, shops and other places, and for related matters.

The chief inspector shall keep a register of factories in which shall be entered the particulars in relation to  a  factory  required  to  be  registered  under  this  Act  that  the  chief  inspector  considers  necessary  or desirable.

(1)  A  person  who  occupies  a  factory  shall,  within  one  month  after  the  commencement  of  this  Act, apply for its registration by sending to the chief inspector a notice containing the particulars set out in the First Schedule.

(2)  On receipt of the notice the chief inspector shall register the factory and shall issue to the occupier a certificate of registration on the payment by the occupier of the prescribed fee. [Amended by section 1(a) of the Factories, Offices and Shops (Amendment) Law, 1983 (P.N.D.C.L. 66)]

(3)  A certificate of registration issued under subsection (2) expires on the 31st day of December of the year in which it is issued and is subject to renewal. [Amended by section 1(b) of the Factories, Offices and Shops (Amendment) Law, 1983 (P.N.D.C.L. 66)]

(1)  A person who intends to occupy or use any premises as a factory after the commencement of this Act shall, not less than one month before the occupation or the use of the premises as a factory, apply for the registration of the premises by sending to the chief inspector a notice containing the particulars set out in the First Schedule.

(2)  On  receipt  of  the  notice  the  chief  inspector  shall,  within  three  months,  register  the  factory  and shall issue to the occupier a certificate of registration on the payment by the occupier of the prescribed fee. [Amended by section 1(c) of the Factories, Offices and Shops (Amendment) Law, 1983 (P.N.D.C.L. 66)]

(3)  A certificate of registration issued under subsection (2) expires on the 31st day of December of the year in which it is issued and is subject to renewal. [Inserted by section 1(d) of the Factories, Offices and Shops (Amendment) Law, 1983 (P.N.D.C.L. 66)]

The  provisions  of  this  Act  relating  to  the  issue  of  a  certificate  of  registration  shall  apply  to  an application for the renewal of a certificate of registration and to the renewal. [Inserted by section 1(e) of the Factories, Offices and Shops (Amendment) Law, 1983 (P.N.D.C.L. 66)]

(1)  A person shall not commence or permit or cause to be commenced

(a) the building of premises intended to be used as a factory, or

(b) a work to alter or add to a factory or the premises intended to be used as a factory, unless that person has first submitted to the chief inspector or to the inspector for the district not less than one  month  before  that  commencement,  proper  plans  of  the  building,  work,  alteration  or  addition accompanied by the particulars set out in the Second Schedule.

(2)  The  chief  inspector  may  require  changes  to  be  made  in  the  building  plans  that  are  reasonably necessary to ensure compliance with this Act in relation to health, welfare and safety, and may, in the case of the building of a new factory, refuse to register the factory under section 3 until the requirements have been complied with.

A person who contravenes a provision of section 2 (1), 3 (1) or 4 (1) commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding one hundred and fifty penalty units. [Amended by the Factories, Offices and Shops (Amendment) Law, 1983 and 1991 (P.N.D.C.L. 66 and 275)]

(1)  There shall be kept in a factory a general register in the prescribed form, and there shall be entered in or attached to that register

(a) the certificate of registration of the factory,

(b) every other certificate issued in respect of the factory by the chief inspector,

(c) the prescribed particulars relating to the cleanliness of the factory,

(d) the prescribed particulars of every accident and case of occupational disease occurring in the factory,

(e) the reports  and  particulars  required  by this Act  to be entered in or attached to the general register, and

(f) any other prescribed matters.

(2)  The  occupier  of  a  factory  shall  send  to  an  inspector  extracts  from  the  general  register  that  the inspector requires for the performance of functions under this Act.

The general register and any other register or record kept in pursuance of this Act shall be preserved and  kept  available  for  inspection  by  an  inspector  for  two  years  after  the  date  of  the  last  entry  in  the register.

(1)  There shall be kept posted in a prominent position in a factory,

(a) the prescribed abstract of this Act,

(b) the notice of the address of the chief inspector and of the nearest inspector and labour officer,

(c) printed copies of the Regulations which are in force in the factory, or the prescribed abstracts of the Regulations, and

(d) any other notice or document required by this Act to be posted in the factory.

(2)  The Minister may, by legislative instrument, make Regulations

(a) prescribing the abstracts of this Act which shall be kept posted in pursuance of  subsection (1), and any other matters which are to be prescribed for the purposes of this Act,

(b) prescribing the Regulations or abstracts of the Regulations which are in force in the factory, and which shall be kept posted in pursuance of susection (1),

(c) prescribing fees in respect of certificates of registration and their renewal, and

(d) for otherwise giving effect to the principles and purposes of this Act. [Amended by section 1(g) of the Factories, Offices and Shops (Amendment) Law, 1983 (P.N.D.C.L. 66)]

A person who occupies an office or a shop to which this Act applies shall, if requested by an inspector, within  one  month  serve  on  the  chief  inspector  a  notice  containing  the  particulars  set  out  in  the  Third Schedule.

(1)  Where an accident in a factory, an office or a shop

(a) causes the death of a person employed in that place, or

(b) disables  a  person  employed  for  more  than  three  days  from  earning  full  wages  at  work  at which that person was employed, the  occupier  shall  send  a  written  notice  of  the  accident,  in  the  prescribed  form  and  containing  the prescribed particulars, to the chief inspector or the inspector for the district.

Republic v. Jackson [1982-83] GLR 86, Holding 1 @ 89, H.C.

(2)  Where  an  accident  causing  disablement  is  notified  under  subsection  (1),  and  after  notification results in the death of the person disabled, the occupier shall, on knowing of the death, send a written notice of the death to the chief inspector or the inspector for the district.

(3)  Where an accident to which this section applies occurs to a person employed to work in a factory, an office or a shop and the occupier of the premises is not the actual employer of the person killed or injured, the actual employer shall immediately report the accident to the occupier.

(4)  An employer who fails to report an accident under subsection (3) commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding one hundred penalty units. [Amended by the Factories, Offices and Shops (Amendment) Law, 1983 (P.N.D.C.L. 66 and 275)]

(1)  The occupier shall forthwith send, in the prescribed form and containing the prescribed particulars, to the chief inspector or the inspector for the district a written notice of a dangerous occurrence specified in  subsection (2) occurring in a factory, an office or a shop, whether death or disablement is caused or not.

(2)  The dangerous occurrences referred to in subsection (1) are,

(a) cases of explosion, fire and collapse of buildings,

(b) accidents  to  machinery  or  plant  likely  to  cause  risk  of  serious  bodily  injury  to  persons employed,

(c) collapse, overturning or failure of a crane, derrick, winch, hoist or any other appliance used in raising or lowering persons or goods, and

(d) bursting  of  a  revolving  vessel,  wheel,  grindstone  or  grinding  wheel  moved  by  mechanical power.

(1)  The  occupier  shall  send  in  the  prescribed  form  and  containing  the  prescribed  particulars  to  the chief inspector or the inspector for the district, written notice of a case of an industrial disease specified in subsection (2) occurring in a factory or a shop.

(2)  The  industrial  diseases  referred  to  in  subsection  (1)  are  lead,  phosphorus,  manganese,  arsenical and mercurial poisoning, toxic anaemia, toxic jaundice, anthrax, ulceration and any  other  prescribed illness or disease.

(1)  A factory, an office and a shop and the furniture, furnishings and fittings in that place shall be kept in a clean state.

(2)  Accumulations of dirt and refuse shall  be removed daily from  the floors  and benches of workrooms, and from staircases and passages.

(3)  The floor of an office, a shop and a workroom shall be cleaned at least once a week by washing, sweeping or any other suitable and effective method.

(4)  In a factory, the inside walls and partitions, and the ceilings or tops of rooms, and walls, sides and tops of passages and staircases shall,

(a) where  they  have  a  smooth  impervious  surface,  be  washed  with  hot  water  and  soap  or otherwise suitably cleaned at least once in every twelve months;

(b) where they are varnished or painted with oil paint, be revarnished or repainted at least once in every five years, and at least once in every twelve months be washed with hot water and soap or otherwise suitably cleaned; and

(c) in any other cases, be whitewashed or colour-washed at least once in every twelve months.

(5)  Where the chief inspector is satisfied that a provision of this section is inappropriate in relation to any premises, the chief inspector may by certificate in writing exempt those premises from that provision.

(1)  A room comprised in or constituting a factory, an office or a shop shall not, while work is carried on in that place, be so overcrowded as to cause risk or injury to the health of persons working in that place.

(2)  For the purposes of subsection (1), in determining whether a room is overcrowded or not, account shall be taken not only of the number of persons who may be expected to be working in the room at any time,  but  also  of  the  space  in  the  room  occupied  by  furniture,  furnishings,  fittings,  machinery,  plant, equipment and appliances.

(3)  The floor area or capacity for each person habitually employed to work in a room to which this section applies shall not, respectively, be less than forty square feet or four hundred cubic feet.

(4)  A workroom shall not be less than nine feet in height, measured from the floor to the lowest point of the ceiling or, in the absence of a ceiling, to the lowest point of the roofing material.

(5)  Where the chief inspector is satisfied that the special conditions under which work is carried on in a  workroom  render  the  application  of  subsection  (3)  or (4)  inappropriate  or  unnecessary,  the  chief inspector  may  by  certificate  in  writing  exempt  the  workroom  from  those  provisions  subject  to  the conditions specified in the certificate.

(6)  In  calculating  for  the  purposes  of  this  section  the  cubic  space  in  a  room,  a  space  more  than fourteen feet from the floor shall not be taken into account.

Effective and suitable provision shall be made in factories, offices and shops to secure and maintain by the circulation of fresh air in each workroom the adequate ventilation of the room.

(1)  Adequate and suitable washing facilities, conveniently accessible for the use of the persons employed, shall be provided and maintained in a clean and orderly condition in a factory, an office or a shop.

(2)  Where the chief inspector is satisfied that, by reason of the difficulty of obtaining an adequate supply of water or any other special circumstances, the application of subsection (1) to any  premises would be unreasonable, the chief inspector may by certificate in writing exempt those premises from the requirements of subsection (1).

(1)  Effective provision shall be made to secure and maintain sufficient and suitable lighting, natural or artificial, in every part of a factory, an office or a shop in which persons are working or passing.

(2)  The apparatus installed for producing artificial lighting where lighting is required by this section shall be properly maintained.

(3)  The glazed windows and skylights used for the lighting of a part of a factory, an office or a shop shall, so far as practicable, be kept clean on both the inner and outer surfaces and free from obstruction.

(4)  Subsection (3) shall not affect the whitewashing or shading of windows or skylights to mitigate heat or glare.

Where a process is carried on in a factory or a shop which renders a floor liable to be wet to an extent that the water is capable of being removed by drainage, effective means shall be provided and maintained to drain off the water.

(1)  Adequate and suitable sanitary conveniences conveniently accessible to persons employed shall be provided,  maintained  and  kept  clean  in  a  factory,  an  office  or  a  shop,  and  effective  provision  shall  be made for their lighting and ventilation.

(2)  Where persons of both sexes are employed, separate conveniences shall be provided for males and females.

(3)  Subsection (2) does not apply where the only persons employed are members of the same family, or where less than five persons are employed.

(4)  The Minister may, by executive instrument, direct that this section shall, in an area, be enforced by the local authority.

(5)  Where an inspector finds an act or a default in relation to a drain, sanitary convenience or water supply, or a nuisance or any other matter in any premises to which this Act applies, which appears to the inspector  to  be  the  concern  of  the  local  authority  under  this  section  or  under  any  other  enactment,  the inspector shall give notice in writing to the local authority.

(1)  An  adequate  supply  of  wholesome  drinking  water  shall  be  provided  and  maintained  at  suitable points conveniently accessible to the persons employed in a factory, an office or a shop.

(2)  Where the supply of drinking water is not piped, it shall be contained in suitable vessels and shall be  renewed  at  least  daily,  and  practicable  steps  shall  be  taken  to  preserve  the  water  and  vessels  from contamination.

(3)  A drinking water supply whether piped or not, shall as directed by an inspector, be clearly marked, “Drinking Water”.

Adequate and suitable accommodation for clothing not worn during working hours shall be provided and maintained at suitable places for the use of the persons employed in a factory, an office or a shop.

(1)  Where  persons  employed  in  a  factory,  an  office  or  a  shop  have,  in  the  course  of  their  work, reasonable  opportunities  for  sitting  without  detriment  to  their  work,  there  shall  be  provided  and maintained  for  their  use,  at  suitable  places  conveniently  accessible  to  them,  suitable  seating  facilities sufficient to enable them to take advantage of those opportunities.

(2)  Where a substantial proportion of the work can properly be done sitting down,

(a) there shall be provided and maintained for an employed person doing that work a seat of a suitable design, construction and size, and the work, together with a footrest on which the feet can readily and comfortably be supported if the employed person cannot do so without one; and

(b) the seat shall be adequately and properly supported while in use for the purpose for which it is provided.

(1)  Where a factory process gives off dust, fumes or any other impurities of a character or to an extent as is likely to be injurious or offensive to the persons employed, or a substantial quantity of dust of any kind, practicable measures shall be taken,

(a) to protect the persons employed against inhalation of the dust, fumes or the other impurities, and

(b) to prevent the dust, fumes or the other impurities accumulating in a workroom, and in particular, where the nature of the process makes it practicable, exhaust appliances shall be provided and maintained, as near as possible to the point of origin of the dust, fumes or the other impurities, so as to prevent them from entering the air of a workroom.

(2)  A stationary internal combustion engine shall not be used in a factory unless provision is made to conduct the exhaust gases from the engine into the open air.

(1)  Where in a room of a factory or a shop poisonous substances or otherwise injurious substances are used which give rise to dust or fumes, a person shall not be allowed to take food or drink in that room.

(2)  Suitable  provision  shall  be  made  to  enable  persons  employed  in  the  room  to  take  their  meals elsewhere in the premises.

(1)  Where in a factory or a shop workers are employed in a process involving excessive exposure to wet or to an injurious or offensive substance, suitable protective clothing and appliances, including, where necessary, suitable gloves, footwear, goggles and head coverings, shall be  provided and maintained for their use.

(2)  In the case of any of the processes specified in the Fourth Schedule, suitable goggles or effective screens shall be provided to protect the eyes of persons employed in the process.

(3)  Where  in  a  factory  electric  arc  welding  is  carried  on,  effective  provision  shall  be  made,  by screening  or  otherwise,  to  prevent  the  persons  employed,  other  than  persons  employed  in  the  welding process, being exposed to the electric arc flash.

Noise and vibrations likely to affect the health of persons employed in a factory, an office or a shop shall be reduced as far as possible by appropriate and practicable measures.

A person shall not in the course of work be required to lift, carry or move a load so heavy as to be likely to cause injury to that person.

Narh v. V.A.C.L. [1978] GLR 185, Holding 2 @ 191, H.C.

(1)  A  first  aid  box  or  cupboard  of  the  prescribed  standard  shall  be  provided  and  maintained  in  a factory, an office or a shop so as to be readily  accessible, and where more than one hundred and fifty persons are employed, an additional box or cupboard shall be provided for each additional one hundred and fifty persons.

(2)  Only appliances or requisites for first aid shall be kept in a first aid box or cupboard.

(3)  A first aid box or cupboard shall be placed under the charge of a responsible person, who is, if possible, a person with knowledge of first aid and who shall always be readily available during working hours.

(4)  There shall be displayed in the premises so as to be easily seen and read by the persons employed to work in the premises a notice stating the name of the person in charge of the first aid box or cupboard.

Where it appears to the Minister that in a factory, a shop, or a class of factory or shop,

(a) cases of illness have occurred which the Minister has reason to believe may be due to the nature of a process or any other conditions of work, or

(b) by reason of alteration of a process, or the  introduction of a new process, or new substance for use in a process, there may be risk of injury to the health of persons employed in that process, or

(c) young persons are or are about to be employed in work which may cause risk of injury to their health, or

(d) there may be risk of injury to the health of persons employed from a substance or material brought to the factory or shop to be used or handled in the factory or shop or from a change in the conditions of work or any other conditions in the factory or shop, the  Minister  may,  by  written  notice,  specify  the  reasonable  arrangements  that  shall  be  made  for  the medical supervision of persons employed in the factory, shop or class of factory or shop.

(1)  The Minister may, by legislative instrument, make Regulations

(a) modifying  or  extending  for  a  class  of  factory,  an  office  or  a  shop  a  provision  of  this  Act imposing  requirements  as  to  health  or  welfare,  where  the  Minister  is  satisfied  that  the modification  or  extension  is  necessary  to  secure  the  health  or  welfare  of  the  persons employed;

(b) regulating  the  preparing  and  taking  of  meals,  ambulance  and  first  aid  arrangements,  rest rooms, supply of protective clothing, and the supply and use of seats in workrooms;

(c) increasing the number of cubic feet which is required for each person under section 14;

(d) prescribing  standards  of  adequate  and  suitable  ventilation,  washing  facilities,  lighting  and sanitary conveniences;

(e) providing  for  the  control  of  noise  and  vibrations  and  safeguarding  the  health  of  persons subjected to noise and vibrations;

(f) prescribing  the  maximum  weights  which  may  be  lifted,  carried  or  moved  by  a  person, generally or in relation to particular circumstances;

(g) providing for the protection of persons or a class of persons working in a factory an office or a shop against risk of bodily injury or injury to health arising out of the use of a machinery, plant, an equipment, an appliance or a substance, the carrying on of an operation or the use of a process;

(h) otherwise for carrying out the principles and purposes of sections 13 to 30.

(2)  The Regulations made under subsection (1) may impose duties on owners, employed persons and any other persons, as well as on occupiers.

(1)  In a factory, an office or a shop there shall be provided and maintained appropriate means for fighting fire, which shall be so placed as to be readily available for use.

(2)  The chief inspector may, by certificate in writing, specify the means that are appropriate in a particular case, and those means shall immediately be provided.

(3)  The stocks of highly inflammable substances shall be kept in a fire-resistant store or in a safe place outside any other building.

(4)  The fire-resistant store or the safe place shall not be situated so as to endanger the means of escape from the premises, or a part of the premises, in the event of a fire occurring in the store.

(1)  Where in a factory, an office or a shop

(a) more than twenty persons are employed in the same building, or

(b) explosive or highly inflammable materials are stored or used in a building in which persons are employed, fire alarms or any other effective warning devices approved by the chief inspector shall be installed and maintained for use in case of fire.

(2)  A  fire  alarm  or  any  other  warning  device  referred  to  in  subsection  (1)  shall  be  clearly  audible throughout the building in which it is installed, and shall be tested and examined at least once in every three months by a competent person, and also whenever an inspector so requires.

(3)  There shall be entered in or attached to the general register of a factory the date of a test or an examination  carried  out  under  this  section  and  particulars  of  every  defect  found  and  the  date  and particulars of action taken to remedy the defect.

(4)  The occupier of a factory shall cause to be sounded, in the factory, mock fire alarms, at least once every year.

(1)  A factory, an office or a shop shall be provided with adequate means of escape in case of fire for the persons employed in that place that are reasonably required in the circumstances of each case.

(2)  The means of escape shall be properly maintained and kept free from obstruction.

(3)  In determining what means of escape are adequate and reasonably required in the circumstances of a  particular  case,  consideration  shall  be  given  to  the  number  of  persons  who  may  be  expected  to  be working in the premises at any time and also to the number of any other persons who may reasonably be expected to be within the premises at that time.

(4)  The contents of a room in which persons are employed shall be so arranged or disposed that there is a free passageway for the persons employed in the room to a means of escape in case of fire.

(5)  While a person is within a factory, an office or a shop for the purpose of employment or meals,

(a) the doors of the premises and of the room in which that person is, and

(b) the doors through which that person might have to pass to get out of the premises, shall not be so locked or fastened that the doors cannot be easily and immediately opened by that person going in or out of that place.

(6)  Where a factory is constructed or a building or any other structure is converted for use as a factory after  the  coming  into  force  of  this  Act,  the  doors  affording  a  means  of  exit  from  the  factory  for  the persons employed in that place shall, except in the case of sliding doors, be constructed to open outwards.

(7)  The exits affording or giving access to means of escape in case of fire, other than exits in ordinary use, shall be distinctively and conspicuously marked by notices printed in red letters of adequate size.

(8)  Effective steps shall be taken to ensure that the persons employed in a factory, an office or a shop are familiar with the means of escape in case of fire, and with the routine to be followed in case of fire.

(1)  There shall so far as is reasonably practicable, be provided and maintained safe means of access to every  place  at  which  a  person  has  at  any  time  to  work,  and  that  place  shall,  so  far  as  is  reasonably practicable, be made and kept safe for a person working there.

(2)  Where a person has to work at a place from which that person will be liable to fall a distance of more than eight feet, means shall be provided, so far as is reasonably practicable, by fencing or otherwise, to ensure the safety of that person, unless  the place is one which affords a secure foot-hold and, where necessary, a secure hand-hold.

(3)  Sufficient clear and unobstructed space shall be maintained at every machine while in motion to enable the work to be carried on without unnecessary risk.

(4)  A teagle opening or similar doorway used for hoisting or lowering goods or materials, whether by mechanical power or otherwise, shall be securely  fenced, and shall be provided with a secure hand-hold on each side of the opening or doorway.

(5)  The fencing referred to in subsection (4) shall be properly maintained and shall, except where the hoisting  or  lowering  of  goods  or  materials  is  being  carried  on  at  the  opening  or  doorway,  be  kept  in position.

(1)  The  floors,  steps,  stairs,  passages  and  gangways  shall  be  of  sound  construction  and  properly maintained  and  shall,  so  far  as  is  reasonably  practicable,  be  kept  free  from  an  obstruction  and  from  a substance likely to cause a person to slip.

(2)  For a staircase in a building or affording a means of exit from a building, a substantial hand-rail shall be provided and maintained,

(a) which, if the staircase has an open side, shall be on that side, and

(b) in the case of a staircase having two open sides or of a staircase which, owing to the nature of  its  construction  or  the  conditions  of  the  surface  of  the  steps  or  any  other  special circumstances,  is  specially  liable  to  cause  accidents,  the  hand-rail  shall  be  provided  and maintained on both sides.

(3)  An open side of a staircase shall also be guarded by the provision and maintenance of a lower rail or any other effective means to prevent a person from accidentally falling through the space between the hand-rail or hand-hold and the steps of the staircase.

(4)  The openings in floors shall be securely fenced, except in so far as the nature of the work renders the fencing impracticable.

(5)  The ladders shall be soundly constructed and properly maintained.

A person shall not be employed at a machine or in a process liable to cause bodily injury, unless

(a) that person has been fully instructed as to the dangers likely to arise in connection with the machine or process and the precautions to be observed, and

(b) that person has received sufficient training in work at the machine or in the process, or is under adequate supervision by a person who has a thorough knowledge and experience  of the machine or process.

Ekem v. W.C.L. [1981] GLR 801, Holding 2 and 3 @ 806, 808, H.C.

Ekem v. W.C.L.[1984-86] 1GLR 61, Holding 2 @ 68, C.A.

(1)  A woman or young person shall not clean a part of a machine if the cleaning would expose the woman or young person to a risk of injury from a moving part of that or an adjacent machinery.

(2)  A woman or young person shall not clean a part of a prime mover or of a transmission machinery while the prime mover or transmission machinery is in motion.

(1)  The  dangerous  part  of  a  machinery  shall  be  securely  fenced  unless  it  is  in  a  position  or  of  a construction  that  is  safe  to  a  person  employed  or  working  in  the  premises  as  it  would  be  if  securely fenced.

(2)  Where  the  safety  of  a  dangerous  part  of  a  machinery  cannot  by  reason  of  the  nature  of  the operation be secured by means of a fixed guard, a device shall be provided which in the opinion of an inspector satisfactorily prevents the operator from coming into contact with that part.

(3)  For the purposes of this section,  “dangerous part” includes a moving part of a prime mover, a flywheel directly connected to a prime mover, a part of a stock-bar which projects beyond the headstock of  a  lathe,  a  part  of  an  electric  generator,  a  motor  or  a  rotary  converter,  and  a  part  of  transmission machinery.

Ekem v. W.C.L. [1981] GLR 801, Holding 2 and 3 @ 806, 808, H.C.

Ekem v. W.C.L.[1984-86] 1GLR 61, Holding 2 @ 68, C.A.

(1)  Efficient devices or appliances shall be provided and maintained in a room or place where work is carried on by which the power can promptly be cut off from the transmission machinery in that room or place.

(2)  A machine intended to be driven by mechanical power shall be provided with an efficient starting and  stopping  appliance,  the  control  of  which  shall  be  in  a  position  which  is  readily  and  conveniently operated by the person operating the machine.

(3)  A driving belt when not in use shall not be allowed to rest or ride on a revolving shaft which forms part of the transmission machinery.

(4)  Suitable  striking  gear  or  any  other  efficient  mechanical  appliances  shall  be  provided  and maintained  and  used  to  move  driving  belts  to  and  from  fast  and  loose  pulleys  which  form  part  of  the transmission machinery, and the gear or appliances shall be so constructed, placed and maintained as to prevent the driving belt from creeping back on to the fast pulley.

(5)  The chief inspector may by a certificate in writing grant, subject to the conditions specified in the certificate,  exemption  from  compliance  with  a  requirement  of  this  section  where  the  chief  inspector  is satisfied that compliance with the requirement is unnecessary or impracticable.

The  fencing  and  any  other  safeguards  provided  in  pursuance  of  sections  38  and  39  shall  be  of substantial  construction,  and  constantly  maintained  and  kept  in  position  while  the  parts  required  to  be fenced  or  safeguarded  are  in  motion  or  in  use,  except  when  those  parts  are  necessarily  exposed  for examination  and  for  a  lubrication  or  an  adjustment  shown  by  the  examination  to  be  immediately necessary,  and  the  conditions  specified  in  the  relevant  safety  Regulations  made  under  section  51  are complied with.

(1)  Where a machine in a factory is intended to be driven by mechanical power,

(a) the  set-screw,  bolt  or  key  on  a  revolving  shaft,  spindle,  wheel  or  pinion  shall  be  so  sunk, encased, or otherwise effectively guarded, as to prevent danger, and

(b) the  spur  and  any  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 as safe as it would be if completely encased.

(2)  A person who sells or lets on hire, or as agent of the seller or hirer causes or procures to be sold or let  on  hire,  knowing  it  to  be  for  use  in  a  factory  in  the  Republic,  a  machine  intended  to  be  driven  by mechanical power which does not comply with the requirements of this section commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding two hundred and fifty penalty units. [Amended by the Factories, Offices and Shops (Amendment) Law, 1983 and 1991 (P.N.D.C.L. 66 and 275)]

(1)  A fixed vessel, structure, sump or pit of which the edge is level with or less than three feet above the adjoining ground or platform shall, if it contains a scalding, corrosive or poisonous liquid, be securely covered or be securely fenced to at least three feet above that ground or platform.

(2)  Where  by  reason  of  the  nature  of  the  work  neither  secure  covering  nor  secure  fencing  to  that height is practicable, practicable steps shall be taken by covering, fencing or any other means to prevent a person from falling into the vessel, structure, sump or pit.

(3)  A  warning  notice,  indicating  the  nature  of  the  danger  and  in  a  form  readily  understood  by  the persons employed, shall be marked on or attached to a plant to which this section applies or, if this is not reasonably practicable, be posted nearby.

A traversing part of a self-acting machine and a material carried on that part shall not, if the space over which it runs is a space over which a person is liable to pass, in the course of employment or otherwise, be  allowed  on  its  outward  or  inward  traverse  to  run  within  a  distance  of  eighteen  inches  from  a  fixed structure which is not part of the machine.

(1)  A hoist or lift shall be of good mechanical construction, sound material and adequate strength, and shall be properly maintained.

(2)  A hoistway or liftway shall be completely enclosed with fire-resistant materials, and the means of access to the hoist or lift shall be fitted with doors of fire-resistant materials.

(3)  The hoistway or liftway shall be enclosed at the top only by a material easily broken by fire, or be provided with a vent at the top.

(4)  For the purposes of this section, a lifting machine or appliance is not a hoist or lift unless it has a platform or cage whose direction of movement is restricted by a guide or guides.

A chain, rope or lifting tackle intended to be used to raise or lower persons, goods or materials shall not  be  used  unless  it  is  of  good  construction,  sound  material,  adequate  strength  and  free  from  patent defect.

(1)  The  parts  and  working  gear  whether  fixed  or  movable,  including  the  anchoring  and  fixing appliances, of a lifting machine shall be of good construction, sound material, adequate strength and free from patent defect and shall be properly maintained.

(2)  The rails on which a travelling crane moves and a tract on which the carriage of a transporter or runway moves shall be of proper size and adequate  strength, and have an even running surface; and the rails or track shall be properly laid, adequately supported or suspended, and properly maintained.

(3)  There shall be plainly marked on a lifting machine the safe working load or loads of the machine.

(4)  In the case of a jib crane so constructed that the safe working load may be varied by the raising or lowering of the jib, there shall be attached to the jib

(a) an automatic indicator of safe working loads, or

(b) a  table  indicating  the  safe  working  loads  at  corresponding  inclinations  of  the  jib  or corresponding radii of the load.

(5)  A lifting machine shall not, except for the purpose of a test, be loaded beyond the safe working load as marked or indicated under subsection (3) or (4).

(6)  Where a person is employed or working on or near the wheel track of an overhead travelling crane in a place where that person would be liable to be struck by the crane, effective measures shall be taken to ensure that the crane does not approach within twenty feet of that place.

(7)  Where a person is employed or working otherwise than as mentioned in subsection (6), but in a place above floor level where that person would be liable to be struck by an overhead travelling crane, or by a load carried by the crane, effective measures shall be taken to warn that person of the approach of the crane, unless the work is so connected with or dependent on the movements of the crane as to make a warning unnecessary.

(8)  A lifting machine shall not be operated except by a person trained and competent to operate that machine,  but  it  is  permissible  for  the  machine  to  be  operated  by  a  person  who  is  under  the  direct supervision of a qualified person for the purpose of training.

(9)  A person under the age of eighteen shall not be employed to operate a lifting machine driven by mechanical power or to give signals to its operator.

A register containing the prescribed particulars shall be kept in a factory in respect of the chains, ropes or lifting tackle, except fibre rope slings, to which section 45 applies, and the lifting machines to which section 46 applies.

A person shall not enter or remain in a chamber, tank, vat, pit, pipe, flue or any other confined space, or in a confined space in which dangerous fumes are likely to be present or the proportion of oxygen in the air is liable to have been substantially reduced, for a purpose unless

(a) that person has been authorised to enter by a responsible person, and

(b) that  person  is  wearing  a  suitable  breathing  apparatus,  or  is  ensured  of  a  supply  of  air adequate for respiration and to render harmless any fumes.

(1)  Where,  in  connection  with  a  process  which  gives  rise  to  dust,  gas  or  vapour,  the  dust,  gas  or vapour of a character and to an extent that is liable to explode on ignition may escape into a workroom, practicable steps shall be taken to prevent the explosion

(a) by the enclosure of the plant used in the process,

(b) by the removal or the prevention of accumulation of the dust, gas or vapour, and

(c) by the exclusion or the effective enclosure of possible sources of ignition.

(2)  Where in a plant used in a process dust, gas or vapour of a character and to an extent that is liable to explode on ignition is present, practicable steps shall be taken to restrict the spread and effects of the explosion by the provision, in connection with the plant, of chokes, baffles and vents or any other equally effective appliances, unless the plant is so constructed as to withstand the pressure likely to be produced by the explosion.

(3)  A  plant,  tank  or  vessel  which  contains  or  has  contained  an  explosive or inflammable substance shall not be subjected to a welding, brazing or soldering operation or to a cutting or any other operation which involves the application of heat, until practicable steps have been taken to remove the substance and the fumes arising from it, or to render them non-explosive or non-inflammable.

(4)  Where  a  plant,  tank  or  vessel  has  been  subjected  to  an  operation,  an  explosive  or  inflammable substance shall not be allowed to enter the plant, tank or vessel until the metal has cooled sufficiently to prevent a risk of igniting the substance.

(5)  The chief inspector may by a certificate in writing, and subject to the conditions specified in the certificate,  grant  exemption  from  compliance  with  any  of  the  requirements  of  subsections  (3)  and  (4) where   the   chief   inspector   is   satisfied   that   compliance   with   the   requirement   is   unnecessary   or impracticable.

(1)  A steam boiler or steam receiver and its fittings and attachments shall be of good construction, sound material, adequate strength and free from patent defect, and shall be properly maintained.

(2)  A steam boiler attendant shall be properly instructed as to the duties of the attendant.

(3)  A work shall not be permitted in a boiler-furnace or boiler-flue until it has been sufficiently cooled by ventilation or otherwise to make work safe for the persons employed.

(4)  A steam container shall be so maintained as to ensure that the outlet is at all times kept open and free from obstruction.

(5)  An air receiver and its fittings shall be of sound construction and shall be properly maintained.

(1)  The Minister may, by legislative instrument, make Regulations

(a) providing for the supervision of persons employed;

(b) prescribing particular means for fighting fire in respect of a class or description of premises to which this Act applies;

(c) providing for the testing and examination of the means provided for fighting fire, and for the recording  of  particulars  of  the  tests  and  examinations  and  of  the  defects  found  and  action taken to remedy the defects;

(d) prescribing the means of escape, in case of fire, to be provided in premises to which this Act  applies;

(e) providing for the fencing of and safety requirements to be observed in relation to a particular machinery;

(f) prescribing the conditions to be observed in the examination, lubrication or operation of a dangerous part of a machinery;

(g) prescribing the matters which are not to be taken into account in determining whether a part of a machinery is as safe as it would be if securely fenced;

(h) prohibiting the sale or hire of a machinery or a plant which does not comply with a safety requirement specified in the Regulations;

(i) providing for the regular examination, testing  and repair of hoists and lifts, and prescribing safety measures to be observed in relation to hoists and lifts;

(j) providing for the tables of safe working loads, testing, examination and annealing in respect of chains, ropes and lifting tackle;

(k) providing for the regular examination, testing and repair of lifting machines, and prescribing safety measures to be observed in relation to lifting machines;

(l) prescribing the safety measures to be observed when work has to be done inside a confined space in which dangerous fumes are likely to be present;

(m) providing  for  the  examination  and  testing  of  steam  boilers  and  steam  receivers  and  their fittings and attachments;

(n) providing for the cleaning, examination and testing of air receivers;

(o) prescribing  the  standards  of  construction,  specifications,  safety  requirements  and  safety measures  to  be  observed  in  relation  to  steam  boilers,  receivers  and  containers  and  air containers;

(p) prescribing the conditions under which steam boilers and steam receivers, new or previously used, may be taken into use;

(q) prohibiting  the  employment  of,  or  modifying  or  limiting  the  hours  of  employment  of, persons  or  a  class  of  persons  in  connection  with  a  manufacture,  machinery,  plant,  an equipment, an appliance, a process or a description of manual labour which, in the opinion of the Minister, is likely to cause risk of bodily injury or to be offensive to a person employed in a factory, an office or a shop;

(r) prohibiting, limiting or controlling the use of a material or process in a factory, an office, or a  shop,  in  the  interest  of  the  welfare  of  persons  employed  in  that  place,  or  where,  in  the opinion of the Minister, the use of the material or process may cause risk of bodily injury or be offensive to a person employed in that place;

(s) modifying or extending with respect to a class of factory, office or shop a provision of this Act  imposing  safety  requirements,  where  the  Minister  is  satisfied  that  the  modification  or extension is necessary to prevent risk of bodily injury to a person employed in that place;  and

(t) otherwise for carrying out the principles and purposes of sections 31 to 51.

(2)  The Regulations made under subsection (1) may impose duties on owners, employed persons and any other persons, as well as on occupiers.

(1)  An inspector may complain to a District Court in relation to a factory, an officer or a shop

(a) that a part of the ways, works, machinery or plant used in that place is in a condition or is constructed or placed that it cannot be used without risk of bodily injury or injury to health; or

(b) that a process or work is carried on or a thing is or has been done in that place in a manner that is likely to cause risk of bodily injury or injury to health; or

(c) that the conditions in regard to escape in case of fire are so dangerous that the premises or a part of the premises ought not to be used, or ought not to be used for a particular process or work, until steps have been taken to remedy the danger.

(2)  A District Court satisfied that a complaint under subsection (1) is justified, may

(a) prohibit  the  use  of  that  part  of  the  ways,  works,  machinery  or  plant  or,  if  it  is  capable  of repair or alteration, prohibit its use until duly repaired or altered;

(b) require the occupier of the premises to take the steps that are specified in the order to remedy the danger complained of; or

(c) prohibit the use of the premises or part of the premises or its use for the particular process or work, until the works specified in the order have been executed to remedy the danger.

(3)  Where a complaint is or has been made under this section, the Court may, on an application ex parte by the inspector, and on receiving evidence that

(a) the use of a part of the ways, works machinery or plant, or

(b) the using of the premises or carrying on of a process or work or the doing of a thing in the manner referred to in this section, involves  imminent  risk  of  serious  bodily  injury  or  injury  to  health,  make  an  interim  order  prohibiting absolutely or subject to conditions the use, carrying on or doing of that thing until the earliest opportunity to hear and determine the complaint.

(4)  Where an order made under subsection (3) is contravened, the occupier of the premises commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding two hundred penalty units or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding six months, or to both the fine and the imprisonment. [Amended by the Factories, Offices and Shops (Amendment) Law, 1983 and 1991 (P.N.D.C.L. 66 and 275)]

(1)  Where on a complaint by an inspector, a District Court is satisfied that a factory, an office or a shop or a part of that place is in a condition, or is so constructed or placed, that a process or work carried on or intended to be carried on in that place cannot be so carried on with due regard to the safety and health of the persons employed, the Court may by  order prohibit the use of that place for the purpose of that process or work.

(2)  An order made under subsection (1) may

(a) prohibit the carrying on of a process or work indefinitely or until the steps specified in the order have been taken to enable the process or work to be carried on with due regard to the safety and health of the persons employed, and

(b) be revoked or varied on the application by way of complaint of the occupier or owner of the premises.

(3)  On an application under paragraph (b) of subsection (2) an inspector is entitled to be heard.

(4)  Where a process or work is carried on in a factory, an office or a shop or a part of that place in contravention  of  an  order  of  the  District  Court  made  under  this  section,  the  occupier  of  the  premises commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding two hundred and fifty penalty units or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding nine months, or to both the fine and the imprisonment. [Amended by the Factories, Offices and Shops (Amendment) Law, 1983 and 1991 (P.N.D.C.L. 66 and 275)]

An inspector or any other person, aggrieved by an order made under section 52 or 53 may appeal to a Justice of the High Court.

(1)  Where part of a building is let as a separate factory or shop, the provisions of this Act relating to factories  or  shops  shall  apply  to  any  other  part  of  the  building  used  for  the  purposes of the factory or shop, but the owner of the building, instead of the occupier, is responsible for a contravention of sections 19, 31 to 34, 44 to 47 and 52 to 54 in so far as those sections relate to matters which are within the control or which are the responsibility of the owner.

(2)  For  the  purposes  of  subsection  (1),  references  in  sections  52  to  54  to  the  occupier  shall  be construed as references to the occupier or to the owner of the building, according to which of them is responsible in respect of the matters complained of.

(3)  For  the  purposes  of  the  provisions  applied  by  subsection  (1),  lifting  machines  attached  to  the outside of the building, and chains, ropes and lifting tackle used in connection with those machines, shall be treated as being in the building.

(4)  Where, in a provision applied by subsection (1), or in the Regulations, there is contained in respect of a factory a reference to the general register, that reference shall be read  and construed in relation to matters in respect of which the owner of the building is responsible, as a reference to a register to be kept by the owner, and section 69 (2) shall apply in relation to the register as if the owner were the occupier of the factory.

(1)  Sections 6, 7,  10 to 54 and 60 to  87 shall apply, so far as applicable, to a dock, wharf or quay and a warehouse not forming part of a factory, in or for the purposes of which mechanical power is used, as if it  were  a  factory  and  as  if  the  person  having  the actual use or occupation of it were the occupier of a factory.

(2)  The  provisions  applied  by  subsection  (1)  shall  apply  to  the  processes  of  loading,  unloading  or coaling of a ship in a dock or harbour, and to the machinery or plant used in those processes, as if the processes were carried on in a factory and the machinery or plant were in a factory and the person who carries on those processes were the occupier of a factory.

(3)  For the purposes of this section,

(a) sections 50 and  52 shall not apply in relation to a machinery or plant which is on board a ship and is the property of the ship owner;

(b) “plant” includes a gangway or ladder used by a person employed to load, unload or coal a ship.

(1)  Sections 6 to  8,  10 to  12,  19, 20, 25 to  31, 33 to  40, 43 to  54 and  60 to  87 shall apply, so far as applicable to building operations and works of engineering construction undertaken by way of trade or business, or for the purpose of an industrial or a commercial undertaking, and to a line or siding which is used  in  connection  with  and  for  the  purposes  of,  those  operations  and  works,  or  those  commercial  or industrial undertakings, and is not part of a railway.

(2)  An order made under section 52 shall not operate so as to interfere with the design of any works of engineering  construction  or  with  the  adoption  in  the  execution  of  those  works  of  a  method  not inconsistent  with  the  safety  of  the  works  or  of  the  persons  employed  which  is  prescribed  in  the specification  or  in  a  signed  plan  issued,  or  written  directions,  given  by  the  consulting  engineer  or  the engineer in charge.

(3)  This  Act  in  its  application  to  building  operations  or  to  works  of  engineering  construction  shall have  effect  as  if  a  place  where  the  operations  or  works  are  carried  on  were  a  factory  and  a  person undertaking those operations or works to which this Act applies were the occupier of a factory.

(4)  Sections 6 and  7 are to be complied with as respects building operations or works of engineering construction  if  the  register  is  kept  at  an  office  of  the  person  undertaking  the  operations  or  works,  and copies of the abstract and the Regulations are kept posted up at each office, yard or shop of the person undertaking the operations or works at which persons employed by that person on the operations or works attend, and in a position where they can be easily read by those persons.

(5)  Subject  to  subsection  (6),  a  person  undertaking  building  operations  or  works  of  engineering construction to which this Act applies shall, not later than seven days after the beginning of the operations or works, serve on the inspector for the district a written notice stating the name and postal address of that person, the place and nature of the operations or works, whether a mechanical power is used and if so its nature, and any other particulars as may be prescribed.

(6)  Subsection  (5)  shall  not  apply  to  operations  or  works  which  the  person  undertaking  them  has reasonable grounds to believe will be completed in a period of less than six weeks, except in the cases which  the  chief  inspector  may  direct;  and  where  a  person  undertakes  building  operations  or  works  of engineering construction in a place where the operations or works are in progress, that person shall not be required  to  give  a  notice  under  that  subsection  if  the  notice  was  given  in  respect  of  the  operations  or works in progress.

(7)  The application of this Act to building operations or works of engineering construction by virtue of this section shall not be excluded by reason of the fact that they are undertaken on premises to which this Act otherwise applies; and this section shall not be read and construed as prejudicing the application of this Act to those premises apart from this section.

(8)  The Minister may, in respect of building operations and works of engineering construction, by legislative instrument, make Regulations

(a) adapting or modifying a provision of this Act  in its application to building operations and works of engineering construction;

(b) prescribing standards for scaffolding;

(c) regulating the control of lifting machinery and tackle, the timbering of excavations, and     site  supervision;

(d) making  special  provision  for  the  health  and  welfare  of  workers  engaged  on  construction sites; and

(e) imposing duties on a person for a purpose specified in paragraphs (a), (b), (c) and (d).

(1)  Sections 10,  11, 30, 33, 38, 44 to  57, 60 to  76, 78 and  79 shall apply to any premises in which a steam  boiler  is  used,  as  if  the  premises  were  a  factory  and  as  if  the  person  having  the  actual  use  or occupation of the premises were the occupier of a factory.

(2)  For  the  purposes  of  subsection  (1),  “premises”  does  not  include  premises  which  form  part  of  a factory or premises to which the application of this Act is otherwise extended by sections 52 to 59.

(3)  The owner of the boiler, receiver or container, instead of the person deemed to be the occupier, is responsible for a contravention of sections 44, 45 or 47 as applied by this section in so far as they relate to matters within the control of the owner.

(4)  The Minister may, by legislative instrument, make Regulations modifying sections 71 and 72 in their application by this section to premises in which a steam boiler is used.

(5)  The occupier of premises in which a steam boiler is used shall, within one month after the date on which the boiler is first used in those premises, send to the chief inspector, a written notice containing the name, the address of the occupier and location of the premises, the nature of the work carried on in the premises, and the particulars, in respect of each steam boiler in use

(a) of the type, description and distinctive number,

(b) of the country and year of manufacture,

(c) of  the  date  of  the  last  thorough  examination  and  the  name  of  the  person  by  whom  the examination was made, and

(d) of the maximum permissible working pressure in pounds per square inch.

(6)  For the purposes of subsection (5), “premises” does not include premises forming part of a factory.

Where,  in  any  premises  forming  part  of  an  institution  carried  on  for  charitable  or  reformatory purposes,  manual  labour  is  exercised  in  or  incidental  to  the  making,  altering,  repairing,  ornamenting, finishing,  filling,  packing,  printing,  bookbinding,  cleaning,  washing  or  adapting  for  sale  of  articles  not intended for the use of the institution, but the premises do not constitute a factory, the provisions of this Act, other than sections 1 to 5, shall apply to the premises as if they were a factory.

(1)  Except where otherwise expressly provided, the occupier is responsible for the observance of the requirements of this Act and of the Regulations.

(2)  An occupier or owner who contravenes, or fails to comply, with a requirement of this Act or of the Regulations for which the occupier or owner is made responsible by this Act or the Regulations, commits an offence, unless otherwise provided in subsections (3) to (5).

(3)  A person who contravenes a provision of the Regulations which expressly imposes a duty on that person commits an offence and the occupier or owner does not commit an offence by reason only of that contravention, unless it is proved that the occupier or owner failed to take reasonable steps to prevent it.

(4)  Where an occupier takes advantage of a special exemption allowed by or under this Act, and fails to comply with a condition attached to the exemption, that occupier has contravened this Act.

(5)  Where an offence under this Act committed by a corporate body is proved to have been committed with the consent or connivance of, or to have been facilitated by a neglect on the part of, an officer of that corporate  body,  that  officer  as  well  as  the  corporate  body,  shall  be  proceeded  against  and  punished accordingly.

(1)  Where an act or default for which an occupier or owner is liable under this Act is in fact the act or default of an agent, a servant, a worker or any other person, that agent, servant, worker or other person commits an offence and is liable to the same punishment as if that person were the occupier or owner.

(2)  Where an occupier or owner is charged with an offence under this Act it is a defence to prove to the satisfaction of the District Court that

(a) the  occupier  or  owner  used  due  diligence  to  enforce  the  execution  of  this  Act  and  of  the  relevant Regulations,

(b) another person committed the offence without the consent, connivance or wilful default of the occupier or owner.

(3)  Where an occupier or owner is acquitted in pursuance of subsection (2), the District Court may direct that proceedings be taken against the person who appears to be the actual offender.

(4)  Where it is made to appear to the satisfaction of an inspector at the time of discovering an offence

(a) that the occupier or owner, has used due diligence to enforce the execution of this Act and of the relevant Regulations,

(b) by whom the offence has been committed, and

(c) that it has been committed without the consent, connivance or wilful default of the occupier or owner and in contravention of the order of the occupier or owner, the  inspector  shall  proceed  against  the  person  whom  the  inspector  believes  to  be  the  actual  offender without first proceeding against the occupier or owner.

Where  in  a  factory,  an  office  or  a  shop  the  owner  or  hirer  of  a  machine  or  implement  moved  by mechanical  power  is  a  person  other  than  the  occupier  of  the  premises,  the  owner  or  hirer  is,  for  the purposes of this Act, the occupier of the factory so far as respects an offence under this Act committed in relation to a person who is employed in or about or in connection with that machine or implement and is in the employment or pay of the owner or hirer.

Subject as otherwise provided, where a person commits an offence for which an express punishment is not provided by this Act or the Regulations, that person is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding two hundred penalty units or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding six months, or to both the fine and the imprisonment. [Amended by the Factories, Offices and Shops (Amendment) Law, 1983 and 1991 (P.N.D.C.L. 66 and 275)]

Where an offence of which a person has been convicted is continued after the conviction, that person commits, subject to  section 65, a further offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding ten penalty  units  or  to  a  term  of  imprisonment  not  exceeding  seven  days,  or  to  both  the  fine  and  the imprisonment for each day during which the offence is continued.

(1)  Where an occupier or owner is convicted of an offence under this Act, the District Court may, in addition to or instead of imposing a punishment, order the occupier or owner within a specified time to take the steps that are specified in the order to remedy the contravention,  and may on application extend the time so specified.

(2)  Where an order is made, the occupier or owner is not liable for the continued contravention during the  time  allowed  by  the  Court,  but  if,  after  the  expiration  of  that  time  as  originally  specified  or subsequently  extended,  the  order  is  not  complied  with,  the  occupier  or  owner  is  liable  to  a  fine  not exceeding ten penalty units for each day during which the non-compliance continues.

(1)  If a person is killed or dies or suffers bodily injury in consequence of an occupier or owner having contravened a provision of this Act or of the Regulations, the occupier or owner commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding two hundred penalty units or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding six months, or to both the fine and the imprisonment.

(2)  In the case of bodily injury, the occupier or owner is not liable under this section unless the injury was caused directly by the contravention.

(3)  The occupier or owner is not liable under this section if a charge against the occupier or owner under this Act in respect of the act or default by which the death or injury was caused has been heard and dismissed before the death or injury occurred.

A person who

(a) forges  or  counterfeits  a  certificate  required  by  or  for  the  purposes  of  this  Act  or  of  the Regulations,

(b) gives or signs a certificate knowing it to be false in a material particular,

(c) knowingly utters or makes use of a forged, counterfeited or false certificate,

(d) knowingly utters or makes use of, as apply to a person, a certificate which does not so apply,

(e) personates a person named in a certificate,

(f) falsely pretends to be an inspector,

(g) wilfully  connives  at  the  forging,  counterfeiting,  giving,  signing,  uttering,  making  use  of, personating or pretending,

(h) wilfully makes a false entry in a register, notice, certificate or document required by or for the purposes of this Act or of the Regulations, to be kept or served or sent,

(i) wilfully  makes  or  signs  a  false  declaration  where  a  declaration  is  required  by  or  for  the purposes of this Act or of the Regulations, or

(j) knowingly makes use of a false entry or declaration, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding two hundred penalty units or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding six months, or to both the fine and the imprisonment.  [Amended by the Factories, Offices and Shops (Amendment) Law, 1983 and 1991 (P.N.D.C.L. 66 and 275)]

(1)  An offence under this Act shall be prosecuted before a District Court.

(2)  In proceedings under this Act it is sufficient in the charge or information

(a) to allege that the factory, office or shop is a factory, office or shop within the meaning of this Act, and

(b) to  state  the  name  of  the  ostensible  occupier  of  the  factory,  office  or  shop  or,  where  the occupier is a firm, the title of the firm.

(3)  The  burden  of  proving  that  the  premises  are  not  a  factory,  office  or  shop,  or  that  the  occupier specified in the charge or information is not the occupier of the factory, office or shop, lies on the person alleging that fact.

(4)  Where an offence is committed under this Act by reason of a failure to make an examination, enter a report or do any other thing, at or within a time specified by this Act or the Regulations the offence continues until the examination is made or the report is entered or the other thing is done.

(1)  Where a person is found in a factory at a time at which work is going on or the machinery is in motion, except during the intervals for meals or rest, that person is, for the purposes of this Act employed in the factory until the contrary is proved.

(2)  Subsection (1) does not apply to a factory in which the only persons employed are members of the same family living there.

(3)  Where an entry is required by this Act or by the Regulations to be made in the general register or in any other register or record, the entry made by the occupier of a factory or on behalf of that occupier shall, as against the occupier be admissible as evidence of the facts stated in the register or record and the fact that an entry required with respect to the observance of a provision of this Act or of the Regulations has not been made, shall be admissible as evidence that that provision has not been observed.

(1)  A document, including any summons or order, required or authorised to be served under this Act may be served

(a) on a person, by delivering it to that person, or by leaving it at, or sending it by post to, the residence or place of business of that person;

(b) on a firm, by delivering it to a partner of the firm or by leaving it at, or sending it by post to, the office of the firm;

(c) on the owner or occupier of a factory, an office or a shop, in the manner specified in paragraph (a) or (b) or by delivering it, or a true copy of the document, to a responsible person over the apparent age of eighteen years at the factory, office or shop.

(2)  The document may be addressed, for the purpose of service on an occupier, to “the occupier”, at the proper postal address of the premises, without further name or description.

(3)  This section applies, with the necessary modification, to documents required or authorised under this Act to be sent to a person, firm, an owner or occupier, and to the sending, addressing and delivery of those documents.

(1)  If by reason of an agreement between the owner and the occupier of premises the whole or a part of which has been let as a factory, the owner or occupier is prevented from carrying out structural or any other alterations in the premises which are necessary to enable the owner or occupier to comply with this Act or the Regulations or in order to conform with a standard or requirement imposed by or under this Act, the owner or occupier may apply to the High Court for the terms of the agreement to be set aside or modified.

(2)  The High Court, after hearing the parties and the witness whom it may wish to call, may make an order  setting  aside  or  modifying  the  terms  of  the  agreement  as  it  considers  just  and  equitable  in  the circumstances.

(1)  Where in any premises, the whole or a part of which has been let as a factory, structural or any other alterations are required in order to comply with a provision of this Act or of the Regulations or in order to conform with a standard or requirement imposed by or under this Act, and the owner or occupier alleges  that  the  whole  or  part  of  the  expenses  of  the  alterations  ought  to  be  borne  by  the  occupier  or owner,  the  owner  or  occupier  may  apply  to  the  High  Court  for  the  expenses  of  the  alterations  to  be apportioned between them.

(2)  The High Court, after hearing the parties and the witnesses whom it may wish to call, may make an  order  concerning  the  expenses  or  their  apportionment  as  it  considers  just  and  equitable  in  the circumstances, taking into account the terms of a contract between the parties, or, in the alternative, the High Court may, at the request of the owner or occupier, determine the lease.

(1)  An inspector may, although not an advocate, prosecute, conduct or defend before a District Court, subject to article 88 of the Constitution, a charge, an information, a complaint or any other proceeding arising under this Act, or in the discharge of a duty under this Act as an inspector.

(2)  A person shall not object to  the competency of an inspector to give evidence as a witness in a prosecution for an offence against this Act on the grounds that the prosecution is brought at the instance of the inspector.

(3)  Despite anything to the contrary in this Act, a prosecuting inspector is not competent to give evidence in a case which the inspector is prosecuting.

(1)  The Minister may appoint a chief inspector and any other inspectors and officers that the Minister considers necessary for the implementation of this Act.

(2)  Notice of the appointment of an inspector shall be published in the Gazette.

(3)  An inspector shall be given a certificate of appointment issued by the Minister, and when visiting any premises to which this Act applies shall, if so required, produce the certificate to the occupier or any other person holding a responsible position of management at the premises.

(4)  A person who is the occupier of a factory, or is directly interested in the factory or in a process or business  carried  on in the factory, or in a patent connected with the factory, process or business, or is employed in or about a factory, shall not act as an inspector.

(5)  An inspector, except in so far as is necessary for the prosecution of an offence under this Act, shall not publish or disclose to a person the details of a manufacturing or commercial or working process which may come to the knowledge of the inspector in the course of duties under this Act.

(6)  A person who contravenes a provision of subsection (4) or (5) commits an offence.

(1)  An inspector, for the implementation of this Act,

(a) may enter, inspect and examine, by day or by night, a factory and every part of the factory when the inspector has reasonable cause to believe that a person is employed in the factory and to enter, inspect and examine by day a place which the inspector has reasonable cause to believe, is a factory, an office or a shop and a part of a building of which a factory, an office or  a  shop  forms  part  and  in  which  the  inspector  has  reasonable  cause  to  believe  that explosive or highly inflammable materials are stored or used;

(b) may take with the inspector a police officer  if the inspector has reasonable cause to expect obstruction in the execution of a duty under this Act;

(c) may  require  the  production  of  the  registers,  certificates,  notices  and  documents  kept  in pursuance of this Act and to inspect, examine and copy any of them;

(d) may  make  or  cause  to  be  made  an  examination  and  inquiry  that  is  necessary  to  ascertain whether the provisions of this Act and of the enactments in force relating to public health are complied with so far as respects a factory, an office or a shop and a person employed in that place;

(e) may  require  a  person  whom  the  inspector  finds  in  a  factory,  an  office  or  a  shop  to  give information  which  is  in  the  power  of  that  person  to  give  as  to  who  is  the  occupier  of  the factory, office or shop;

(f) may examine or cause to be examined a person, alone or in the presence of any other person, as the inspector thinks fit, with respect to matters under this Act;

(g) may, in the case of an inspector who is a registered medical practitioner, carry out a medical examination that may be necessary for the purposes of the duties of that inspector under this Act; and

(h) may exercise any other powers that are necessary for carrying this Act into effect.

(2)  The occupier of a factory, an office or a shop, the agents and servants of that person shall provide the means required by an inspector as necessary for an entry, inspection, examination, inquiry, the taking of samples, or otherwise for the exercise of powers under this Act in relation to that factory, office or shop.

(1)  A person who obstructs an inspector in the performance of functions under this Act commits an offence  and  is  liable  on  conviction  to  a  fine  not  exceeding  one  hundred  penalty  units  or  to  a  term  of imprisonment not exceeding one month, or to both the fine and the imprisonment. [Amended by the Factories, Offices and Shops (Amendment) Law, 1983 and 1991 (P.N.D.C.L. 66 and 275)]

(2)  Where an inspector is obstructed in a factory or shop, the occupier of that factory or shop commits an offence.

(3)  A person obstructs an inspector in the performance of the functions under this Act, if that person

(a) wilfully delays an inspector in the exercise of powers under this Act,

(b) fails to comply with the requisition of an inspector in pursuance of section 75,

(c) fails to produce a document which that person is required by or in pursuance of this t to produce,

(d) wilfully withholds an information as to who is the occupier of a factory, an office or a shop, or

(e) conceals  or  prevents  any  other  person  from  appearing  before  or  being  examined  by  an inspector.

(1)  An  inspector  may  at  any  time  after  informing  the  occupier,  or  if  the  occupier  is  not  readily available, a foreman or any other responsible person in a factory, an office or a shop, take for analysis sufficient samples of a substance used or intended to be used in a factory, an office or a shop which is a substance  in  respect  of  which  the  inspector  suspects  a  contravention  of  the  Regulations  or  which  the inspector thinks may prove on analysis to be likely to cause bodily injury to the persons employed.

(2)  The occupier, foreman or any other responsible person may, at the time when a sample is taken under this section, and on providing the necessary appliances, require the inspector to divide the sample into three parts, to mark and seal or fasten up each part in a manner that its nature permits, and

(a) to deliver one part to the occupier, foreman or the other responsible person,

(b) to retain one part for future comparison, and

(c) to submit one part to the analyst.

(3)  An analysis under this section shall, if so required, be carried out by the Government Chemist.

(4)  A  certificate  purporting  to  be  a  certificate  by  the  Government  Chemist  as  to  the  result  of  an analysis  of  a  sample  under  this  section  is  admissible  in  proceedings  under  this  Act  as  evidence  of  the matters stated in the certificate, but either party may require the person by whom the analysis was made to be called as a witness.

(5)  A person who, except in so far as is necessary for the prosecution of an offence under this Act, publishes or discloses to any other person the results  of an analysis made under this section commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding two hundred and fifty penalty units or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding twelve months, or to both the fine and the imprisonment. [Amended by the Factories, Offices and Shops (Amendment) Law, 1983 and 1991 (P.N.D.C.L. 66 and 275)]

(1)  A person employed in premises to which a provision of this Act applies shall not wilfully interfere with or misuse the means, appliance, convenience or any other thing provided in pursuance of this Act for securing the health, safety or welfare of the persons in those premises.

(2)  A  person  employed  in  premises  to  which  a  provision  of  this  Act  applies  shall  not  wilfully  and without reasonable cause do anything likely to endanger that person or any other person.

(3)  Where  the  means  or  appliance  for  securing  health  or  safety  is  provided  for  the  use of a person under this Act, that person shall use the means or appliance.

(4)  An employed person who contravenes a provision of this section commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding one hundred and fifty penalty units or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding three months, or to both the fine and the imprisonment. [Amended by the Factories, Offices and Shops (Amendment) Law, 1983 and 1991 (P.N.D.C.L. 66 and 275)]

(1)  A notice or certificate issued by the chief inspector under this Act may be issued for a limited time or without limit of time and may be varied or revoked by the chief inspector.

(2)  Subsection (1) does not apply in respect of a certificate of registration of a factory.

The occupier of a factory, an office or a shop shall not, in respect of anything to be done or provided by the occupier in pursuance of this Act, make a deduction from the sum of money contracted to be paid by that occupier to a person employed, or receive, or allow a person in the employment of the occupier to receive, a payment from that person.

The  Minister  may,  by  legislative  instrument,  exempt  from  the  application  of  all  or  any  of  the requirements of this Act, any premises or class or part of premises which is a factory, an office or a shop, where  in  the  opinion  of  the  Minister  it  would  by  reason  of  special  circumstances  be  unreasonable  to require compliance with those requirements.

(1)  This Act, except where otherwise expressly provided, applies to a factory, an office and a shop as defined by this Act.

(2)  This  Act  applies  to  a  factory,  an  office  and  a  shop  belonging  to  or  in  the  occupation  of  the Government.

(1)  In this Act, “factory” means premises in which, or within the close or curtilage of which, a person is employed in manual labour in a process for or incidental to any one or more of the following types of work which are carried on by way of trade or for purposes of gain, and to or over which premises the employer of the persons employed in the premises has the right of access or control, namely,

(a) the making of an article or part of an article;

(b) the altering, repairing,  ornamenting,  finishing,  filling,  packing, printing, bookbinding, cleaning, washing, breaking up or demolition of an article;

(c) the adapting for storage or sale of an article;

(d) the slaughtering of cattle, sheep, swine, goats, hens, guinea fowls and turkeys.

(2)  In this Act, “factory” also means

(a) a yard or dry dock, including the precincts of a yard or dry dock, in which ships or vessels are constructed, reconstructed, repaired, refitted, finished or broken up;

(b) the premises in which the construction, reconstruction or repair of locomotives, vehicles or plant for use for transport purposes is carried  on as ancillary to a transport undertaking, or any  other  industrial  or  commercial  undertaking,  which  is  not  premises  used,  to  house locomotives or vehicles where only cleaning, washing, running-repairs or minor adjustments are carried out;

(c) the  premises  in  which  mechanical  power  is  used  in  connection  with  the  making,  repair  or storage of an article incidental to a business carried on by way of trade or for purposes of gain and in which a person is employed in manual labour;

(d) the  premises  in  which  articles  are  made  or  prepared  incidentally  to  the  carrying  on  of building operations or works of engineering construction and in which a person is employed in manual labour, which are premises in which the operations or works are being carried on;

(e) the premises in which a person is regularly employed in manual labour in or in connection with  the  generating  of  electrical  energy  for  supply  by  way  of  trade,  or  for  supply  for  the purposes  of  an  industrial  or  a  commercial  undertaking  or  of  a  public  building  or  public institution, or for supply to streets or any other public places;

(f) the  premises  in  which  mechanical  power is used for or in connection with a water supply which are premises in which a person is regularly employed in manual labour;

(g) the premises in which the business of sorting articles is carried on as preliminary to the work carried on in a factory or incidentally to the purposes of a factory, and in which a person is employed in manual labour; and

(h) a laundry carried on as ancillary to another business, or incidentally to the purposes of a public institution.

(3)  A  line  or  siding,  which  is  not  part  of  a  railway,  which  is  used  in  connection  with  any  of  the purposes of a factory, is, for the purposes of this Act, a part of the factory, and if the line or siding is used in connection with more than one factory belonging to separate occupiers, the line or siding is a separate factory,  and  this  Act  shall  apply  as  if  the  different  occupiers  were  jointly  the  occupiers  of  the  line  or siding.

(4)  A part of a factory may, with the approval in writing of the chief inspector, be taken to be a separate factory, and two or more factories may, with the like approval, be taken to be a single factory.

(5)  A workplace in which, with the permission of or under an agreement with the owner or occupier, two or more persons carry on a work which would constitute the workplace a factory if the persons in the workplace were in the employment of the owner or occupier, is a factory for the purposes of this Act, and, in the case of a workplace, this Act shall apply as if the owner or occupier of the workplace were the occupier of the factory and the persons working in that place were persons employed in the factory.

(6)  Where a place situated within the close, curtilage or precincts forming a factory is solely used for a process other than a process for and incidental to the main purposes of the factory, that place is not part of the factory for the purposes of this Act, but shall, if otherwise it would be a factory, be considered a separate factory.

(7)  Premises shall not be excluded from the definition of a factory by reason only that they are open air premises.

(8)  Premises belonging to or in the occupation of the Government or a local authority or a corporation constituted under an enactment are not excluded from the definition of a factory by reason only that the work carried on there is not carried on by way of trade or for purposes of gain.

(9)  Where the Minister, by executive instrument,  so directs as respects all or any of the purposes of this Act, and subject to the conditions determined by the Minister, different branches or departments of work carried on in the same factory shall be considered as different factories.

(10)  Despite any other provisions of this section, the definition of a factory shall not apply

(a) to building operations undertaken below ground in a mine,

(b) to works of engineering construction undertaken at a mine, whether above or below ground, or at a quarry, or

(c) to  premises  in  or  adjacent  to  and  belonging  to  a  mine,  being  premises  in  which  the  only activity carried on is ancillary to the getting, dressing or preparation for sale of minerals.

Issah v. M.T.C.L. [1980] GLR 430, Holding 2 @437, H.C.

In this Act, “office” includes

(a) a   room   of   a   building   of   which   the   substantial   use   is   for   clerical   work   including book-keeping,   filing,   typing,   duplicating,   machine   calculating,   drawing,   the   editorial preparation of matter for publication in print, the sorting and carrying of papers, telephone operating, and the handling of money, except the rooms in premises of which the substantial use is a private residence or for private domestic purposes, and

(b) establishments,  institutions  and  administrative  services  in  which  the  workers  are  mainly engaged in office work.

In this Act, “shop” includes

(a) a shop,

(b) a building or part of a building of which the substantial use is the carrying on there of retail trade or business, including the sale to members of the public of food or drink for immediate consumption,  retail  sales  by  auction  and  the  business  of  lending  books  or  periodicals  for purposes of gain,

(c) a building or part of a building occupied by a wholesale dealer or merchant where goods are kept for wholesale distribution or sale, and

(d) a building or part of a building to which members of the public are invited to resort for the purpose of delivering goods for repair, renovation, cleaning or any other treatment, or of themselves there carrying out repairs, renovation, cleaning or any other treatment of goods.

(1)  In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,

“article” includes a solid, liquid or gas, or a combination of a solid, liquid or gas;

“bodily injury” includes injury to health;

“building  operation”  means  the  construction,  structural  alteration,  repair  or  maintenance  of  abuilding, including repainting, redecoration and external cleaning of the structure, the demolition of abuilding,  and  the  preparation  for,  and  laying  the  foundation  of,  an  intended  building,  but  does  not include an operation which is a work of engineering construction within the meaning of this Act;

“class” of factories, offices or shops includes a group of factories, offices or shops described byreference to locality;

“chief inspector” means the person appointed chief inspector for the purposes of this Act;

“driving-belt” includes a driving strap or rope;

“fumes” includes gas or vapour;

“functions” includes powers and duties;

“inspector” means a person appointed as an inspector for the purposes of this Act;

“lifting  machine”  means  a  crane,  crab,  winch,  teasel,  pulley,  block,  gin  wheel,  transporter  or runway;

“lifting tackle” means chain slings, rope slings, rings, hooks, shackles and swivels;

“local  authority”  includes  a  Metropolitan,  Municipal  or  District  Assembly  or  a  council  or  an authority established under an enactment relating to local government;

“machinery” includes a mechanical contrivance whether operated by hand or by automatic power, and  driving  belts,  flywheels,  prime  movers,  transmission  machinery,  water  wheels,  water  turbines, electric generators, motor or rotary converters, and shaftings;

“maintained” means maintained in an efficient state,  in an efficient working order, and in good repair;

“mine” includes a place, an excavation, or a working on which, in which or by which an operation in connection with mining is carried on;

“Minister” means the Minister responsible for Labour;

“occupier”  includes  the  person  who  runs  the  factory,  office,  shop  or  any  other  premises  inquestion, and who regulates and controls the work that is done there;

“owner”  means  the  person  who  receives  the  rents  or  profits  of  the  premises  in  connection  with  which the word is used, whether personally or as agent or trustee for any other person, or who would so receive the same if the premises were leased;

“prescribed” means prescribed by the Minister, by this Act or by the Regulations;

“prime  mover”  means  an  engine,  a  motor  or  any  other  appliance  which  provides  mechanical energy derived from steam, water, wind, electricity, the combustion of fuel or any other source;

“process” includes the use of a locomotive;

“railway” includes a railway used for the purposes of public traffic, whether passenger, goods or any other traffic, and the works used in connection with and for the purposes of the railway;

“Regulations” means the relevant Regulations made under this Act;

“sanitary convenience” includes urinals, waterclosets, earthclosets, privies, ash-pits and any other similar conveniences;

“steam  boiler” includes a closed  vessel in which for any purposes steam is generated under pressure greater than atmospheric pressure, and an economiser used to heat water being fed to the vessel, and a superheater used for heating steam;

“transmission machinery” means a shaft, wheel, drum, pulley system of fast and loose pulleys, coupling, clutch, driving-belt or any other device by which the motion of a prime mover is transmitted  to or received by a machine or an appliance;

“work of engineering construction”  includes the construction of a road, an airfield, sea defence works  or  river  works,  a  railway  line  or  siding,  and  the  construction,  structural  alteration  or  repair, including  re-pointing  and  re-painting,  or  the  demolition  of  any  dock,  harbour,  inland  navigation, tunnel, bridge, viaduct, waterworks, reservoir, pipeline, aqueduct, sewer, sewage works, or gas holder, and any other prescribed works;

“young person” means a person under the age of eighteen years.

(2)  For the purposes of this Act and of the Regulations, machinery or plant shall be deemed to have been constructed or reconstructed before the commencement of this Act or of the Regulations and  a factory or building shall be deemed to have been constructed, reconstructed, extended, added to  or converted for use as a factory before the commencement of this Act or of the Regulations, if the construction, reconstruction, extension addition or conversion was begun before the commencement of this Act or of the Regulations.

(3)  For the purposes of this Act premises or a place is not a factory in which mechanical power is used by  reason  only  that  mechanical  power  is  used  for  the  purpose  of  heating,  ventilating  or  lighting  the workrooms or any other parts of the premises or place.

(4)  For the purposes of this Act an apprentice is a person employed.

Spent.

Spent.

First Schedule

NOTICE OF OCCUPATION OF A FACTORY

[Sections 2 and 3]

2. Name of occupier or intending occupier of the factory ............................................................................................................................................................................................ ..................
3. Postal address of the factory .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................
4. Location of the factory ............................................................................................................ (state exact location, district and region

(a)    Structure/type of factory building ..................................................................................................................................... Roof made of .................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............ (state whether lined or sealed and the material(s) used)

(b)    Number of floors on which factory operations are intended to be carried out .................................................................................................................................................. ............

5. Nature  of  work  or  manufacturing  process  carried  on  or  intended  to  be  carried  on  in     the factory ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................
6. Full description of mechanical power used or intended to be used in the factory .................................................................................................................................................... ..................

(a)    Number of persons employed or intended to be employed in the factory: Male .................................................. Female ....................................................................

(b)    Where  persons  are  employed  or  intended  to  be  employed  in  shifts,  the  maximum number employed or intended to be employed at any one time: Male .................................................. Female ....................................................................

7. (a)    Particulars of steam boiler(s) in use or intended to be used in factory (if applicable):(Where  more  than  one  steam  boiler  is  used  in  the  same  factory,  particulars  of  eachboiler must be given).

(i)     Type, description and distinctive number ..............................................................

(ii)     Year and place of manufacture ..............................................................................

(iii)    Date of last thorough examination.......................................................................................................................................................................................................

(iv)      Maximum permissible working pressure ..............................................................................................................................................................................................

(b)    Particulars of unfired pressure vessel(s) in use or intended to be used in the factory (if applicable): ........................................................................................................................(Particulars of each unfired pressure vessel must be given where more than one is used in the same factory).

(i)      Type, description and distinctive number ..............................................................

(ii)      Year and place of manufacture ..............................................................................

(iii)      Date of last thorough examination.........................................................................

(iv)       Maximum permissible working pressure ..............................................................

(c)    Particulars of hoists, lifts, cranes and other lifting machines in use or intended to be used in the factory (if applicable):

(i)      Type of machine and identification number or description ..................................

(ii)      Date of installation ................................................................................................

(iii)      Date of last thorough examination ........................................................................

(iv)       Maximum safe working load ................................................................................

8. Fire precautions:

(a)    Means of escape in case of fire provided: (e.g. number and type of doors, stairs, etc.)

............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............

(b)    Fire-fighting equipment provided: (e.g. extinguishers, etc.) ............................................................................................................................................................................ ............ (state type and number)

(c)    Type of fire alarm provided .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ............

9. Welfare facilities:

(i)      Number of sanitary conveniences provided:

Female ........................................................ Male ........................................................

(ii)      State whether urinal accommodation has been provided in addition to the sanitary conveniences ................................................................................................................................ ........

(iii)      Facilities provided for employees’ clothing not worn during working hours ................................................................................................................................ ........

(iv)      Type and number of washing  facilities provided in the factory for each sex: (e.g. wash-basins, showers, etc.)

................................................................................................................................ ........

(v)      Has a messroom or canteen been provided for the use of persons employed in the factory: ............................................................................................................................... ........

10. First aid:

(i)      Type of first aid facilities provided in the factory: (e.g. clinic, ambulance room, first aid boxes, etc.) ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ........

(ii)      Minimum contents of first aid box ................................................................................................................................ ........

(iii)     Name and address of the nearest Medical Officer/Hospital Clinic in the area .............. ................................................................................................................................ ........

11. Date of occupation or intended occupation of the factory ........................................................................................................................................................................................ ..................
12. Particulars of all directors/partners .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................

(Name and address of each director/partner to be stated)

............................................................................

(Signature of applicant)

Date of Application

.................................., 20 ............

Full names of applicant

(BLOCK CAPITALS)

............................................................................

Second Schedule

PRESCRIBED PARTICULARS TO ACCOMPANY BUILDING PLANS

[Section 4]

Two   copies   of   the   building  plans indicating the layout  of   each   floor,  materials  of construction, type, height and linings of walls, roofs and partitions; specific working areas (e.g. carpentry  shop,  machine  shop,  store,  etc.)  windows,  wall  and  roof  opening  for  natural ventilation; lighting, etc. and type of doors (with approximate dimensions) affording means of escape (e.g. sliding doors) must be submitted with the following particulars:

1. Plans submitted .................................................................................................................................................................................................... Tel. No. ..............................................

(Name and address of person or company submitting the plans)

On behalf of ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ ..................................................................................................................................................................................... Tel. No. ..............................................

(Name and address of occupier or intending occupier of the factory or proposed factory)

2. Factory situated (or to be situated) at .....................................................................................

(exact location, district and region)

................................................................................................................................ ..................

3. Structure/type of proposed factory building ......................()................................................................................................................................ ........

(iii)     Name and address of the nearest Medical Officer/Hospital Clinic in the area .............................................................................................................................................. ........

11. Date of occupation or intended occupation of the factory ............................................................................................................................................................................... ..................
12. Particulars of all directors/partners .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................

(Name and address of each director/partner to be stated)

............................................................................

(Signature of applicant)

Date of Application

.................................., 20 ............

Full names of applicant

(BLOCK CAPITALS)

............................................................................

Second Schedule

PRESCRIBED PARTICULARS TO ACCOMPANY BUILDING PLANS

[Section 4]

Two copies of the building plans indicating the layout of each  floor,   materials of construction, type, height and linings of walls, roofs and partitions; specific working areas (e.g. carpentry  shop,  machine  shop,  store,  etc.)  windows,  wall  and  roof  opening  for  natural ventilation; lighting, etc. and type of doors (with approximate dimensions) affording means of escape (e.g. sliding doors) must be submitted with the following particulars:

1. Plans submitted ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................... Tel. No. ..............................................

(Name and address of person or company submitting the plans)

On behalf of ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ Tel. No. ..............................................

(Name and address of occupier or intending occupier of the factory or proposed factory)

2. Factory situated (or to be situated) at .....................................................................................

(exact location, district and region)

................................................................................................................................ ..................

3. Structure/type of proposed factory building ........................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................
4. Roof of building to be made of ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................

(state whether lined or sealed and materials used)

5. Number of floors on which factory operations are to be carried out ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................
6. Nature or work or manufacturing process intended to be carried on in the factory ............................................................................................................................ ..................
7. Nature  and  approximate  quantity  of  any  explosive  or  highly  inflammable  materialsintended to be used or stored in or underneath the proposed building ................................................................................................................................................................... ..................
8. Personnel to be provided for: ..................................................................................................

Male                                               Female

(a)    Number of persons intended to be employed in administrative work in the building ................................................    ................................................

(b)    Maximum number of persons intended to be employed per shift in the factory................................................    ................................................

Total................................................    ................................................

9. Details of amenities to be provided in the building for the use of persons employed:

Male                                               Female ................................................    ................................................

Water closets:              Office ........................................ ......................................................*With/without urinals Factory ...................................... ........................................

Wash points :              Office ........................................ ........................................ Factory ...................................... ........................................

Showers:                    Office ........................................ ........................................ Factory ...................................... ........................................

Cloak room:                Office ........................................ ........................................

(dimensions required)             Factory ...................................... ........................................

Canteen/Messroom                                   *With/without

(dimensions                                                                                                            lockers

required)                     ..........................................................................................................................................................

Signature of person submitting plans

Date ......................................................

*Delete whichever is inapplicable.

Note :      “Highly inflammable” should be interpreted for the purpose of this form as including any  material  which  may  greatly  increase  the  speed  at  which  a  fire  will  spread  in  a building and hence affect the means of escape from that building.

Third Schedule

PARTICULARS OF OFFICES AND SHOPS

[Section 9]

1. Occupier of premises:

(a)    Name of the employer  ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............

(b)    Trading/Business name ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................ ............

(c)    Postal address and location of premises ......................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............

(d)    Telephone No. ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............

2. Nature of business/trade  ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................
3. Number of persons employed or intended to be employed in the office or shop premises at the above address in the following types of workplace (where applicable).

Male                     Female

(a)    Office ..........................................................................     ......................    ......................

(b)    Shop (retail) ................................................................        ......................    ......................

(c)    Wholesale department ................................................ or warehouse ...............................................................        ......................    ......................

(d)    Catering establishment open to public ..............................................................        ......................    ......................

(e)    Staff canteen ...............................................................        ......................    ......................

(f )    Fuel storage depot .....................................................          ......................    ......................

Total ....................................................................       ......................    ......................

4. How many of the total are (or will be) employed on floors other than the ground floor? ....................................................................................................................................... ..................
5. Of  the  total  stated  in  reply  to  question  3  are  any  (or  will  any  be)  housed  in  separate building? (Yes/No) ..................................................................................................................
6. If  the  employer  the  owner  of  the  building(s)  or  part  of  the  building(s)  containing  the premises? (Yes/No) ..................................................................................................................
7. If not, state the name and address of the owner(s) or person(s) to whom rent is paid ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................
8. Welfare facilities:

No. of sanitary conveniences provided:

Male ..................................................                  Female ......................................................

Details of amenities provided:

(a)    Washing facilities: (Yes/No) ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............

(b)    Supply of drinking water: (Yes/No) ................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ............

(c)    Accommodation for clothing: (Yes/No) ......................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............

(d)    Canteen/Messroom: (Yes/No) ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............

(e)    First aid box/Ambulance room: (Yes/No) ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............

9. Fire precautions:

Means of escape in case of fire provided (e.g. number and type of doors, etc.) ...................................................................................................................................................... ..................

Fire fighting equipment (e.g. type of fire extinguishers) provided ....................................................................................................................................................................... ..................

Whether fire alarm has been installed: (Yes/No) ................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................

Date ......................................................

Signature of employer or person authorised

to sign on his behalf

Fourth Schedule

PROCESSES REQUIRING PROVISION OF SUITABLE GOGGLES

OR EFFECTIVE SCREENS

[Section 25]

1. Dry grinding of metals, or articles of metal, applied by hand to a revolving wheel or disc driven by mechanical power.
2. Turning (external or internal) of non-ferrous metals, or of cast iron, or of articles of those metals or that iron, where the work is done dry, other than precision turning where the use of goggles or a screen would seriously interfere with the work, or tuning by means of hand tools.
3. Welding or cutting of metals by means of an electrical, oxyacetylene or similar process.

The following processes when carried on by means of hand tools or other portable tools:

(a)      fettling of metal castings involving the removal of metal;

(b)      cutting  out  or  cutting  off  (not  including  drilling  or  punching  back)  of  cold  rivets  or  bolts from boilers or other plant or from shops;

(c)      chipping and scaling of ships plates; and

(d)      breaking or dressing of stone, concrete or slag.