Section 16 of Factories Act - Overcrowding

Section 16: Overcrowding

(1) No room in any factory shall be overcrowded to an extent injurious to the health of the workers employed therein.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of sub-section (1) there shall be in every workroom of a factory in existence on the date of the commencement of this Act at least 1[9.9 cubic metres] and of a factory built after the commencement of this Act at least 2[14.2 cubic metres] of space for every worker employed therein, and for the purposes of this sub-section no account shall be taken of any space which is more than 3[4.2 metres] above the level of the floor of the room.

(3) If the Chief Inspector by order in writing so requires, there shall be posted in each workroom of a factory a notice specifying the maximum number of workers who may, in compliance with the provisions of this section, be employed in the room.

(4) The Chief Inspector may by order in writing exempt, subject to such conditions, if any, as he may think fit to impose, any workroom from the provisions of this section, if he is satisfied that compliance therewith in respect of the room is unnecessary in the interest of the health of the workers employed therein.

-----------------------

1. Subs. by Act 20 of 1987, s. 7, for "three hundred and fifty cubic feet" (w.e.f. 1-12-1987).
2. Subs. by s. 7, ibid., for "five hundred cubic feet" (w.e.f. 1-12-1987).
3. Subs. by s. 7, ibid., for "fourteen feet" (w.e.f. 1-12-1987).