Factories Act 1948 Compliance Checklist (Free)

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15 critical items still open - these are the highest-risk gaps.

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Registration and licence

Factory plan approved by the Chief Inspector before construction or extension (section 6)CRITICALNotice of occupation given to the Chief Inspector before use (section 7)CRITICALFactory licence is valid and renewal date is trackedCRITICALManager is named in the notice of occupation and changes are intimatedLicence and approved plan copies are kept at the factorySanctioned load, worker count and nature of process match the licence

Health and cleanliness

Floors, walls and ceilings cleaned and painted on the prescribed schedule (section 11)Adequate ventilation and reasonable temperature maintained (section 13)CRITICALDust, fume and effluent disposal arrangements working (sections 12 and 14)Sufficient lighting without glare (section 17)Wholesome drinking water is available, marked and cooled where required (section 18)CRITICALLatrines and urinals are separate for men and women, clean and enough (section 19)CRITICALSpittoons provided in convenient places (section 20)

Safety

Dangerous machinery is securely fenced, including prime movers and transmission parts (section 21)CRITICALWork on or near machinery in motion follows written procedure (section 22)Hoists, lifts, chains, ropes and lifting tackle examined and certificates kept (section 28)CRITICALPressure vessels operate within safe working pressure (section 31)Floors, stairs and passages are in safe condition and free of obstruction (section 32)Fire precautions: extinguishers, exits, alarms and drills (section 38)CRITICALProtective equipment and eye protection issued where processes require itSafety officer appointed where the factory employs 1,000 or more workers (section 40B)

Welfare

Washing facilities for the number of workers (section 42)First aid boxes: at least one per 150 workers, fully stocked (section 45)CRITICALCanteen where 250 or more workers are employed (section 46)Shelters, rest rooms and lunch rooms where 150 or more workers are employed (section 47)Creche where more than 30 women workers are employed (section 48)Welfare officer where 500 or more workers are employed (section 49)

Working hours, leave and employment

Adult workers not required to work more than 48 hours a week or 9 hours a day (sections 51 and 54)CRITICALRest interval of at least half an hour after five hours of work (section 55)Weekly holiday given, with compensatory holiday where missed (section 52)Overtime paid at twice the ordinary rate of wages (section 59)CRITICALNo child below 14 employed; adolescent certificates of fitness on file (sections 67 and 68)CRITICALWomen are not made to work outside permitted hours or on prohibited processes (section 66)Annual leave with wages credited and granted as per section 79

Registers, returns and display

Register of adult workers maintained and kept available (section 62)Notice of periods of work displayed and followed (section 61)Annual return filed in the prescribed form and period under state rulesCRITICALAccident and dangerous occurrence reporting procedure is known and tested (section 88)CRITICALLeave with wages register, overtime and attendance records are currentPrevious inspection notes are closed with documented corrective action

Tick what is in place with evidence on file. Critical items are the ones an inspector is most likely to cite. The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code is being phased in, and state rules differ, so match this list to your state's factory rules.

Track licences and certificates in your ERP

Optional: review how asset and employee records in your ERP can drive statutory renewal alerts.

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How to use this checklist

Walk the plant with the factory manager, EHS officer and HR lead. For each item, tick it only when you can show evidence, such as a certificate, register entry or photograph. Mark gaps as action items with an owner and a date. Critical items are the ones inspectors most often cite and the ones that matter most after an accident. Run the full list at least annually and repeat the safety group after any layout change. Export it to share with your auditor.

What the Act covers

The Act regulates approval and licensing of factories, health and cleanliness, safety of machinery and people, welfare facilities, working hours, employment of young persons and women, annual leave, and penalties. It applies alongside state factory rules, which set forms, fees, renewal periods and filing dates. Several of its provisions are being consolidated into the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, so confirm which regime your state has notified before relying on section numbers.

Thresholds trigger duties: canteen, creche, welfare officer, safety officer
State rules decide forms and due dates
Occupier and manager carry personal liability

Reading your result

A plant that has all critical items in place and most others covered is in a reasonable position for routine inspection. Missing critical items, especially machine guarding, lifting tackle certificates, fire precautions and child labour records, deserve immediate action. Group the open points by owner, because maintenance, HR and administration each hold part of the list. Retest after fixes and keep the dated list as evidence of due diligence.

Common mistakes

Plants commonly let the factory licence or lifting tackle certificates lapse, overlook the overtime rate, or keep registers in a form the state no longer accepts. Another gap is changing production layout without updating the approved plan. Store certificates and registers against asset and employee records in your ERP or EHS system so renewals trigger alerts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which factories does the Act apply to?

It applies to premises where ten or more workers are employed with power, or twenty or more without power, and where a manufacturing process is carried on. State governments can extend it to smaller units. Check the definitions in your state rules for borderline cases.

Who is the occupier and why does it matter?

The occupier is the person with ultimate control over the factory affairs, and for a company, one of its directors. The occupier is responsible for compliance and can face penalties, so the name given in the notice of occupation should be accurate and current.

How often should I audit against this list?

At least once a year, with a lighter quarterly check on safety items such as fire equipment, guards and lifting tackle. Repeat after any layout change, new machine installation, or accident. Keep dated records to show continuous effort.

Does this replace state factory rules?

No. It is a general starting point based on the central Act. State rules add forms, fees, return dates and sometimes extra duties. Always cross-check against your state's current rules or take advice from a local compliance consultant.

If renewal dates for licences, lifting tackle and statutory registers sit in separate files, we can help bring them into one tracked workflow tied to your ERP asset and employee data.

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Factories Act 1948 Compliance Checklist for Indian Manufacturing Plants