Section 35 of the Factories Act 1948 - Protection of Eyes

Section 35 of the Factories Act, 1948 dealt with protection of workers' eyes in prescribed manufacturing processes involving flying particles, fragments or exposure to excessive light. The Factories Act framework has since been replaced by the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020.

What did Section 35 provide?

Section 35 empowered the State Government to make rules requiring effective screens or suitable goggles for persons employed on, or in the immediate vicinity of, prescribed manufacturing processes where their eyes could be exposed to specified hazards.

The provision focused on two principal risks: injury from particles or fragments thrown off during a manufacturing process, and injury caused by exposure to excessive light.

Text of Section 35 - Protection of Eyes

Meaning and scope of the former provision

• Manufacturing process: The former Section 35 operated in relation to manufacturing processes in factories that were prescribed under the applicable rules.
• Flying particles or fragments: Work capable of throwing off material toward the eyes could attract protective requirements.
• Excessive light: Processes producing light or radiation intense enough to create an eye hazard could require protective measures.
• Protective measures: The provision expressly contemplated effective screens or suitable goggles.
• Persons nearby: Protection was not confined to the person directly operating the process; persons in the immediate vicinity could also require protection.

Current law under the OSHWC Code 2020

The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 now provides the central statutory framework for occupational safety and health. Section 18 authorises the Central Government to declare occupational safety and health standards for workplaces. Section 18(2)(f) expressly connects those standards with matters listed in the Second Schedule.

Importantly, item 15 of the Second Schedule specifically identifies protection of eyes as a matter for occupational safety and health standards. The modern framework therefore continues to recognise eye protection as a workplace-safety subject, although compliance is now governed through the Code, applicable rules, standards and sector or State requirements rather than former Section 35 alone.

Practical compliance point

Where work presents an eye hazard, employers and occupiers should identify the applicable OSHWC Code requirements, rules and notified safety standards for the establishment and process. Depending on the hazard, appropriate controls may include guarding or screening, suitable eye or face protection, safe operating procedures, training and maintenance of protective equipment. The exact requirement can vary with the process and the applicable Central or State framework.

Official legal resources

Last reviewed: 26 September 2026. This page explains the former Section 35 and highlights the current statutory framework. For process-specific compliance, check the latest applicable rules, standards and State notifications.