S.I. No. 176/1956 - Factories Act, 1955 (Abstracts) Regulations, 1956.

S.I. No. 176 of 1956.

FACTORIES ACT, 1955 (ABSTRACTS) REGULATIONS, 1956.

I, WILLIAM NORTON, Minister for Industry and Commerce, in pursuance of subsection (1) of section 120 of the Factories Act, 1955 (No. 10 of 1955), hereby make the following regulations.

1.—(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Factories Act, 1955 (Abstracts) Regulations, 1956.

(2) These Regulations shall come into operation on the 1st day of October, 1956.

2. The abstract of the Factories Act, 1955 (No. 10 of 1955), which shall be posted in pursuance of, and in accordance with, subsection (1) of section 120 of that Act shall—

(a) in the case of factories, be in the form set out in the First Schedule to these Regulations ;

(b) in the case of docks, wharves, quays and warehouses, be in the form set out in the Second Schedule to these Regulations ; and

(c) in the case of building operations and works of engineering construction, be in the form set out in the Third Schedule to these Regulations.

FIRST SCHEDULE

ABSTRACT OF THE FACTORIES ACT, 1955 , FOR FACTORIES.

HEALTH.

1.—Cleanliness.—Every factory must be kept clean. In particular (subject to any exceptions allowed) accumulations of dirt and refuse must be removed daily from floors and benches ; the floor of every workroom must be cleaned at least once a week. The cleaning processes used should not give rise to dust. All inside walls, partitions and ceilings must :—

(a) If they have a smooth impervious surface, be washed with hot water and soap or cleaned by other approved method every 14 months, or

(b) if kept painted with oil paint or varnished, be repainted or revarnished every 7 years and washed with hot water, etc., every 14 months.

(c) In other cases, be white-washed or colour washed every 14 months

The prescribed particulars as to washing, white-washing or colour washing, painting or varnishing must be entered in the General Register.

2.—Overcrowding.—A factory must not be overcrowded. There must be in each workroom at least 400 cubic feet of space for every person employed, not counting the space more than 14 feet from the floor. In the case of a workroom already in use at the date of the commencement of the Act, 250 cubic feet of space per person is permitted for a period of 3 years after that date and of suitable mechanical ventilation is provided, for a further period of 5 years.

3.—Temperature.—In each workroom a reasonable temperature must be maintained by methods which do not release injurious or offensive fumes. In rooms in which a substantial proportion of the work is done sitting and does not involve serious physical effort, the temperature must not be less than 60°F. after the first hour, and at least one thermometer must be provided in a suitable position.

4.—Ventilation.—Adequate ventilation of workrooms must be secured by the circulation of fresh air. Where dust or fume likely to be injurious or offensive, or any substantial quantity of dust, is given off, all practical measures must be taken to protect the workers against inhaling it, and where practicable localised exhaust ventilation must be provided and maintained.

5.—Lighting.—There must be sufficient and suitable lighting in every part of the factory in which persons are working or passing.

6.—Floors.—Where wet processes are carried on, adequate means for draining the floor must be provided. Where the floor is liable to become slippery, effective means must be provided for protecting persons from slipping.

7.—Sanitary Accommodation.—Sufficient and suitable sanitary conveniences, separate for each sex, must be provided and must conform with standards prescribed by regulations.

8.—Meals in Certain Dangerous Trades.—A person must not partake of food or drink or remain during mealtimes in workrooms where :

(a) lead, arsenic or other poisonous substance is so used as to give rise to any dust or fume, or

(b) a process is carried on which gives rise to siliceous dust or asbestos dust.

Suitable provision must be made to enable persons employed in all such rooms to take their meals elsewhere in the factory.

The Minister may, in certain circumstances, name other processes to which these provisions apply.

9.—Use of Phosphorus.—The use of white or yellow phosphorus in the manufacture of matches is prohibited.

10.—Underground Rooms.—No work is to be carried on in any underground room (unless used only for storage or other specially excepted purpose) if the Minister certifies that it is unsuitable on hygienic grounds or because the means of escape in case of fire are inadequate. Notice must be given to the Minister before an underground room is used as a work-room in a factory if it was not so used on 1st October, 1956.

11.—Lifting Excessive Weights.—A person must not be employed to lift, carry or move any load so heavy as to be likely to cause injury to him.

12.—Restrictions on Employment of Women and Young Persons.—Female young persons must not be employed in any part of a factory where certain processes associated with melting, blowing or annealing of glass and manufacture of salt are carried on.

A woman or young person must not be employed in certain lead processes or in cleaning workrooms where any of the processes are carried on.

Where women or young persons are employed in any other process which involves the use of a lead compound producing dust or fume, or if they are liable to be splashed with any lead compound, (a) dust or fume produced must be drawn away by an efficient exhaust draught; (b) they must undergo medical examination as prescribed and may be suspended from further employment in lead processes ; (c) no food, drink, or tobacco may be brought into the workroom ; (d) protective clothing must be provided by the occupier and worn ; (e) suitable cloakroom, mess-room, and washing accommodation must be provided as prescribed ; and (f) all tools and apparatus must be kept clean.

13.—Notification of Industrial Poisoning or Disease.—Cases of poisoning by lead, phosphorus, arsenic, mercury, carbon bisulphide, manganese or aniline; chronic poisoning by benzene ; compressed air illness ; anthrax ; toxic jaundice due to tetrachlorethane or nitro- or amido-derivatives of benzene or other poisonous substance ; toxic anaemia ; epitheliomatous ulceration, and chrome ulceration, must forthwith be reported to the Minister and to the Certifiying Doctor and entered in the General Register.

14.—Certificate of Fitness.—No young person (that is a person under 18 years of age) may be employed in a factory unless, within ten days of taking up employment, he or she has been certified medically fit for employment in that factory by the Certifying Doctor. Unless the Certifying Doctor directs an earlier reexamination every young person shall be re-examined annually. The re-examination may be carried out by either the Certifying Doctor or a registered medical practitioner engaged by or on behalf of the young person. The prescribed particulars must be entered in the General Register.

Birth certificates required for the purposes of the Act may be obtained, at a reduced fee, on application to a Registrar of Births.

15.—Humid Factories.—Special provisions to protect the health of workers apply in the case of factories in which a humid atmosphere is artificially produced an maintained by steaming or other means.

SAFETY.

16.—Fencing.—Every part of the transmission machinery and every dangerous part of other machinery, and all parts of electric generators, motors, rotary converters and flywheels directly connected to them, must be securely fenced unless in such a position or of such construction as to be as safe to every person employed or working on the premises as if securely fenced ; and any part of a stock-bar which projects beyond the head-stock of a lathe must be securely fenced unless it is in such a position as to be as safe to every such person as if securely fenced. A male person over 18 may, however, approach unfenced machinery in motion in certain strictly limited contingencies and subject to conditions specified in Regulations.

17.—Moving parts of other prime movers, and fly-wheels directly connected to them, and the head and tail race of a water wheel or water turbine, must be securely fenced irrespective of their position.

18.—Fixed vessels, pits, etc., containing scalding, corrosive or poisonous liquids must, unless the edge is 3 feet above the adjoining ground or platform, be securely fenced to at least that height or be securely covered ; where this is impracticable, other precautions, so far as practicable, must be taken.

19.—All fencing must be of substantial construction and be maintained in an efficient state.

20.—Further Requirements in connection with Transmission Machinery.—Devices or appliances for promptly cutting off the power from the transmission machinery, must be provided in every room or place where work is carried on. Exemption from this requirement is granted for one year from the date of commencement of the Act in the case of factories using water power. Efficient mechanical appliances must be provided to move driving belts to and from fast and loose pulleys. Driving belts must not rest or ride on revolving shafts when the belt is not in use.

21.—Self-acting Machines.—Special precautions must be taken to prevent any person being caught or crushed by any traversing part of any self-acting machine.

22.—Cleaning Machinery.—A woman or young person must not clean—

(a) a prime mover or transmission machinery while it is in motion, or

(b) any part of any machine if there is risk of injury from any moving part of that machine or of any adjacent machinery.

23.—Working at Dangerous Machines.—No person may work at any machine specified by the Minister to be dangerous unless—

(a) he has been fully instructed as to the dangers and precautions, and

(b) he has received sufficient training in the work or is under adequate supervision.

24.—Protection of Eyes.—Goggles or effective screens must be provided in processes specified by the Minister.

25.—Hoists or Lifts.—Every hoist or lift must be of good mechanical construction, sound material and adequate strength and be properly maintained. It must be thoroughly examined every six months by a competent person whose report must be entered in or attached to the General Register.

Every hoistway must be efficiently protected by a substantial enclosure and landing gates, with efficient inter-locking or other devices. The safe working load must be marked conspicuously on each hoist. Additional safeguards (e.g. inter-locking gates for cages) must be provided on hoists used for carrying persons whether with goods or otherwise. The requirements are somewhat less stringent in the case of hoists constructed before the passing of the Act, hoists not connected with mechanical power, and continuous hoists. Exemption from certain of the requirements of The act in regard to lifts and hoists (other than new or reconstructed lifts and hoists) is granted in the case of factories generally until 1st October, 1958.

Every teagle opening or similar doorway used for hoisting or lowering goods must be fenced (except when the hoisting or lowering is going on at that opening) and be provided with a hand-hold on each side of the opening.

26.—Chains and Ropes and Lifting Tackle.—No chain, rope or lifting tackle used for raising or lowering persons or goods may be used unless it is of good construction, sound material and adequate strength and free from patent defect. Tables of safe working loads must be posted in the stores and elsewhere but need not cover any lifting tackle the safe working load of which is marked on the tackle itself. Chains, ropes and lifting tackle in use must be thoroughly examined by a competent person every six months, and must not (except fibre ropes and fibre rope slings) be taken into use for the first time in the factory unless they have been tested and certified.

Periodic annealing is required except in the case of ropes and rope slings and other tackle exempted by the Minister.

A Register of all chains, ropes and lifting tackle, and also the certificates of tests, must be kept.

27.—Cranes, etc.—All parts and working gear (including anchoring appliances) of cranes and other lifting machines must be of good construction, sound material and adequate strength and must be properly maintained. A thorough examination of all such parts by a competent person must be made every fourteen months. A lifting machine must not be taken into use for the first time in the factory unless it has been tested and certified. A register of examinations and tests must be kept. The safe working load or loads must be shown on every lifting machine ; in the case of cranes with a derricking jib an automatic indicator or a table of safe working loads must be attached to the crane.

Rails and tracks of travelling cranes and transporters must be of proper size and construction. If any person is working near the wheel-track of an overhead travelling crane, steps must be taken to ensure that the crane does not approach within 20 feet.

28.—Construction of Floors, etc.—Floors, passages, gangways, steps, stairs and ladders must be soundly constructed and properly maintained and handrails must be provided for stairs.

29.—Precautions against Falls.—So far as is reasonaly practicable, there must be provided—

(a) safe means of access to every place at which any person has at any time to work, and

(b) fencing or other means for ensuring the safety of any person who is to work at a place from which he would be liable to fall more than 10 feet and which does not afford secure foothold and, where necessary, secure hand-hold.

30.—Precautions against Gassing.—Special precautions are laid down for work in confined spaces where men are liable to be overcome by dangerous fumes.

31.—Explosions of Inflammable Dust or Gas.—Precautions against explosion are laid down for certain processes and for welding or soldering on containers which have held any explosive or inflammable substance.

32.—Steam Boilers, Steam Receivers, etc.—Every part of every steam boiler and steam receiver must be of good construction, sound material, adequate strength and free from patent defect. Detailed requirements are laid down as to the valves and other fittings. The outlet of every steam container must at all times be kept open and free from obstruction.

Steam boilers and steam receivers and their fittings must be properly maintained and must be thoroughly examined by a competent person, in the case of boilers every fourteen months and after extensive repairs, and in the case of steam receivers every twenty-six months. A report of each examination must be attached to the General Register. New or secondhand boilers must be certified or examined before being taken into use.

33.—Air Receivers.—Every air receiver and its fittings must be of sound construction and properly maintained. Detailed requirements are laid down as to the fittings.

Air receivers must be thoroughly cleaned, and be examined or tested by a competent person, every twenty-six months, and a report entered in or attached to the General Register. In some cases a longer period is allowed.

34.—Fire.—Subject to certain exceptions for small works, a certificate (to be attached to the General Register) must be held from the Sanitary Authority that the means of escape in case of fire are such as may reasonably be required. The means of escape specified in the certificate must be properly maintained and kept free from obstruction. Local fire bye-laws must be complied with.

While any person is in the factory for the purpose of employment or meals. doors must not be so locked or fastened that they cannot be easily and immediately opened from the inside. The doors of any room in which more than ten persons are employed, and in the case of newly constructed or converted factories all other doors affording a means of exit from the factory, must be sliding doors or open outwards. Fire exits must be marked by a notice printed in red letters of adequate size.

In certain factories provision for giving warning in case of fire must be made and effective steps taken to ensure that the workers are familiar with the means of escape and their use and the routine to be followed in case of fire.

35.—Notification of Accidents and Dangerous Occurrences.—Accidents causing loss of life or disabling a worker for more than three days from earning full wages at the work at which he was employed must be reported forthwith to the Minister and entered in the General Register. Certain dangerous occurrences must also be reported whether disablement is caused or not, e.g., the bursting of a revolving vessel, wheel or grindstone moved by mechanical power, the collapse or failure of a crane, hoist or other lifting appliance, or any part thereof (except the breakage of chain or rope slings), or the overturning of a crane ; and explosions or fires in certain circumstances.

WELFARE

36.—Drinking Water.—An adequate supply of wholesome drinking water, with an upward jet convenient for drinking or suitable drinking vessels with facilities for rinsing them, must be provided.

37.—Washing Facilities.—Adequate and suitable washing facilities (to include soap and clean towels or other suitable means of cleaning or drying) must be provided and maintained.

38.—Accommodation for Clothing.—Adequate and suitable accommodation for clothing not worn during working hours, with such arrangements as are reasonably practical for drying such clothing, must be provided.

39.—Facilities for Sitting.—Where any employed persons have in the course of their employment reasonable opportunities for sitting, without detriment to their work, or where a substantial proportion of any work done by employed persons can properly be done sitting suitable facilities for sitting must be provided and maintained.

40.—First-Aid.—In every factory there must be provided a First-Aid Box or cupboard of the prescribed standard, containing nothing except First-Aid requisites, and in charge of a responsible person who must be always readily available during working hours. In every workroom a notice must be affixed stating the name of the person in charge of the box provided in respect of that room. Where more than 150 persons are employed at any one time, an additional box or cupboard for every additional 150 persons or fraction of that number is required. If more than 50 persons are employed the person in charge of each box must be trained in First-Aid treatment.

GENERAL

41.—Outworkers.—Where work of certain kinds (specified by regulationst is given out to a workman or contractor to be done outside the factory, a list of all such persons must be kept in the prescribed form, and a copy of the lis) must be sent to the Sanitary Authority during February and August in each year. The requirement applies irrespective of whether the materials for the work are supplied by the occupier or not.

42.—Prohibition of Deductions from Wages.—The occupier must not make a deduction from wages in respect of anything he has to do or provide in pursuance of the Act, or permit any person in his employment to receive payment from other employees for such services.

43.—Duties of Persons Employed.—A person employed must not wilfully interfere with or misuse any means, appliance, convenience or other thing provided in pursuance of the Act for securing health, safety or welfare, and he must use any means or appliance for securing health or safety provided for his use under The act. He must not wilfully and without reasonable cause do anything likely to endanger himself or others.

44.—Notice of Occupation or use of premises as a Factory.—Within one month after beginning to occupy or use premises as a factory or introducing mechanical power into a factory the occupier must furnish the Minister with certain particulars.

45.—General Register.—The occupier must keep a general register in the prescribed form.

46.—Special Regulations and Welfare Regulations—made for particular factories, industries, processes, plant, etc., must be observed, and printed copies or prescribed abstracts of all such regulations in force in any factory must be kept posted in the factory.

47.—Inspection.—Inspectors of factories have power to inspect every part of a factory by day or by night They may require the production of registers, certificates and other papers. They may examine any person found in the factory, either alone or in the presence of any other person as they think fit, and may require him to sign a declaration of the truth of the matters about which he is examined. They may also exercise such other powers as may be necessary for carrying the Act into effect, including certain powers of taking samples for analysis. Every person obstructing an Inspector is liable to a penalty.

The Officers of the Sanitary Authority have similar powers so far as is required for their duties under the Act.

48.—Safety Committees.—Where the persons employed in a factory have formed a safety committee for the purpose of promoting their better safety, health and welfare, the following provisions apply :—

(a) The occupier shall be entitled to be represented on the Committee by at least one person nominated by him.

(b) The Committee shall assist in securing compliance with the provisions of the Act in the factory.

(c) The occupier and Committee shall consider any representations made by the one to the other.

(d) The Committee may appoint a safety delegate who may, on the instructions of the Committee, make representations to an Inspector.

(e) An Inspector may, at his discretion, have the safety delegate accompany him on all or part of his tour of the factory.

(f) The occupier shall note in the General Register the establishment of the safety committee and the name of the safety delegate, if any.

SECOND SCHEDULE.

ABSTRACT OF THE FACTORIES ACT, 1955 , FOR DOCKS, WHARVES, QUAYS AND WAREHOUSES.

SAFETY

1.—Steam Boilers.—Every part of every steam boiler must be of good construction, sound material, adequate strength and free from patent defect. Detailed requirements are laid down as to the valves and other fittings.

Steam boilers and their fittings must be properly maintained and must be thoroughly examined by a competent person at least once in every fourteen months and after extensive repairs. A report of each examination must be attached to the General Register. New or secondhand boilers must be certified or examined before being taken into use.

2.—Notification of Accidents and Dangerous Occurrences.—Accidents causing loss of life or disabling a worker for more than three days from earning full wages at the work at which he was employed must be reported forthwith to the Minister and entered in the General Register. Certain dangerous occurrences must also be reported whether disablement is caused or not, e.g., the bursting of a revolving vessel, wheel or grindstone moved by mechanical power ; the collapse or failure of a crane, hoist or other lifting appliance, or any part thereof (except the breakage of chain or rope slings), or the overturning of a crane ; and explosions or fires in certain circumstances.

HEALTH

3.—Lead Processes.—If women, or persons under 18, are employed in any process which involves the use of a lead compound producing dust or fume, or if they are liable to be splashed with any lead compound (a) the dust or fume produced must be drawn away by an efficient exhaust draught ; (b) persons employed must undergo medical examination as prescribed and may be suspended from further employment in lead processes ; (c) no food, drink or tobacco may be brought into any room in which the process is carried on ; (d) protective clothing must be provided by the occupier and worn ; (e) suitable cloakroom, mess room and washing accommodation must be provided as prescribed ; (f) all tools and apparatus must be kept clean.

4.—Notification of Industrial Poisoning or Disease.—Cases of poisoning by lead, phosphorus, arsenic, mercury, carbon bisulphide, manganese, or aniline ; chronic poisoning by benzene ; compressed air illness ; anthrax ; toxic jaundice due to tetrachlorethane or nitro- or amido- derivatives of benzene or other poisonous substance ; toxic anaemia ; epitheliomatous ulceration, and chrome ulceration, must forthwith be reported to the Minister and to the Certifying Doctor and entered in the General Register.

GENERAL

5.—General Registers.—Each employer must keep a General Register in the prescribed form.

6.—Special Regulations and Welfare Regulations made for particular industries processes, plant, etc. (e.g. the Docks Regulations, and Electricity Regulations, must be observed, and printed copies or prescribed Abstracts of all such Regulations which apply must be kept posted on the premises.

7.—Prohibition of Deductions from Wages.—The occupier must not make a deduction from wages in respect of anything he has to do or provide in pursuance of the Act, or permit any person in his employment to receive payment from other employees for such services.

8.—Duties of Persons Employed.—A person employed must not wilfully interfere with or misuse any means, appliance, convenience or other thing provided in pursuance of the Act for securing health, safety or welfare and he must use any means or appliance for securing health or safety provided for his use under The act. He must not wilfully and without reasonable cause do anything likely to endanger himself or others.

9.—Inspection.—Inspectors of Factories have power to inspect every part of the premises by day or by night. They may require the production of registers, certificates and other papers. They may examine any person found on the premises, either alone or in the presence of any other person as they think fit, and may require him to sign a declaration of the truth of the matters about which he is examined. They may also exercise such other powers as may be necessary for carrying the Act into effect. Every person obstructing an Inspector is liable to a penalty.

ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO WAREHOUSES.

SAFETY

10.—Fencing.—Every part of the transmission machinery and every dangerous part of other machinery, and all parts of electric generators, motors, rotary converters, and fly-wheels directly connected to them, must be securely fenced unless in such a position or of such construction as to be as safe to every personemployed or working on the premises as if securely fenced. A male person over 18 may, however, approach unfenced machinery in motion in certain strictly limited contingencies and subject to conditions specified in regulations.

11.—Moving parts of other prime movers, and fly wheels directly connected to them, must be securely fenced irrespective of their position.

12.—All fencing must be of substantial construction and maintained in an efficient state.

13.—Further Requirements in connection with Transmission Machinery.—Devices or appliances for promptly cutting off the power from the transmission machinery, must be provided in every room or place where work is carried on. Efficient mechanical appliances to move driving belts to and from fast and loose pulleys must be provided. Driving belts must not rest or ride on revolving shafts when the belt is not in use.

14.—Cleaning Machinery.—A woman or young person must not clean—

(a) a prime mover or transmission machinery while it is in motion, or

(b) any part of any machine if there is risk of injury from any moving part of that machine or of any adjacent machinery.

15.—Working at Dangerous Machines.—No person may work at any machine specified by the Minister to be dangerous unless (a) he has been fully instructed as to the dangers and precautions, and (b) he has received sufficient training in the work or is under adequate supervision.

16.—Hoists or Lifts.—Every hoist or lift must be of good mechanical construction, sound material and adequate strength and be properly maintained. It must be thoroughly examined every six months by a competent person whose report must be entered in or attached to the General Register.

Every hoistway must be efficiently protected by a substantial enclosure and landing gates, with efficient interlocking or other devices. The safe working load must be marked conspicuously on each hoist. Additional safeguards (e.g. interlocking gates for cages) must be provided on hoists used for carrying persons, whether with goods or otherwise. The requirements are somewhat less stringent in the case of hoists constructed before the passing of the Act, hoists not connected with mechanical power and continuous hoists. Exemption from certain requirements of The act in regard to lifts and hoists (other than new or reconstructed lifts and hoists) is granted generally, until 1st October, 1958.

Every teagle opening or similar doorway used for hoisting or lowering goods must be fenced (except when hoisting or lowering is going on at that opening) and be provided with a hand-hold on each side of the opening.

17.—Chains, Ropes and Lifting Tackle.—No chain, rope or lifting tackle used for raising or lowering persons or goods may be used unless it is of good construction, sound material and adequate strength and free from patent defect. Tables of safe working loads must be posted in the stores and elsewhere but need not cover any lifting tackle the safe working load of which is marked on the tackle itself. All chains, ropes and lifting tackle in use must be thoroughly examined by a competent person every six months, and must not (excepting fibre ropes and fibre rope slings) be taken into use for the first time in the warehouse unless they have been tested and certified.

Periodic annealing is required except in the case of ropes and rope slings and other tackle exempted by the Minister. A register of all chains, ropes and lifting tackle, and also the certificates of tests, must be kept.

18.—Cranes, etc.—All parts and working gear (including anchoring appliances) of cranes and other lifting machines must be of good construction, sound material and adequate strength and must be properly maintained. A thorough examination of all such parts by a competent person must be made every fourteen months. A lifting machine must not be taken into use for the first time in the warehouse unless it has been tested and certified. A register of examinations and tests must be kept. The safe working load or loads must be shown on every lifting machine ; in the case of cranes with a derricking jib an automatic indicator or a Table of safe working loads must be attached thereto.

Rails and tracks of travelling cranes and transporters must be of proper size and construction.

19.—Construction of Floors, etc.—Floors, passages, gangways, steps, stairs and ladders must be soundly constructed and properly maintained and hand rails must be provided for stairs.

HEALTH

20.—Certificates of Fitness for Young Persons.—No young person (that is, a person under 18 years of age) may be employed in a warehouse unless within 10 days of taking up employment he or she has been certified medically fit for such employment in that warehouse by the Certifying Doctor. Unless the Certifying Doctor directs an earlier re-examination every young person shall be re-examined yearly. The re-examination may be carried out by either the Certifying Doctor or a registered medical practitioner engaged by or on behalf of the young person. The prescribed particulars must be entered in the General Register.

Birth Certificates required for the purposes of the Act may be obtained, at a reduced fee, on application to a Registrar of Births.

THIRD SCHEDULE.

ABSTRACT OF THE FACTORIES ACT, 1955 , FOR BUILDING OPERATIONS AND WORKS OF ENGINEERING CONSTRUCTION.

SAFETY

1.—Steam Boilers.—Every part of every steam boiler must be of good construction, sound material, adequate strength and free from patent defect. Detailed requirements are laid down as to the valves and other fittings.

Steam boilers and their fittings must be properly maintained, and must be thoroughly examined by a competent person at least once in every 14 months and after extensive repairs. A report of each examination must be attached to the General Register. New boilers must be certified before being taken into use.

2.—Air Receivers.—Every air receiver and its fittings must be of sound construction and properly maintained. Detailed requirements are laid down as to the fittings.

Air receivers must be thoroughly cleaned, and be examined or tested by a competent person, every 26 months, and a report entered in or attached to the General Register. In some cases a longer period is allowed.

3.—Notification of Accidents and Dangerous Occurrences.—Accidents causing loss of life or disabling a worker for more than 3 days from earning full wages at the work at which he was employed must be reported forthwith to the Minister and entered in the General Register. Certain dangerous occurrences must also be reported whether disablement is caused or not, e.g., the bursting of a revolving vessel, wheel or grindstone moved by mechanical power ; the collapse or failure of a crane, hoist or other lifting appliance, or any part thereof (except the breakage of chain or rope slings), or the overturning of a crane ; and explosions or fires in certain circumstances.

HEALTH

4.—Notification of Industrial Poisoning or Disease.—Cases of poisoning by lead, phosphorus, arsenic, mercury, carbon bisulphide, manganese, or aniline ; chronic poisoning by benzene ; compressed air illness ; anthrax ; toxic jaundice due to tetrachlorethane or nitro- or amido- derivatives of benzene or other poisonous substance ; toxic anaemia ; epitheliomatous ulceration, and chrome ulceration must forthwith be reported to the Minister and to the Certifying Doctor and entered in the General Register.

5.—Sanitary Accommodation.—Sufficient and suitable sanitary conveniences must be available for the persons employed.

6.—Lead Processes.—If women, or persons under 18, are employed in any process which involves the use of lead compound producing dust or fume, or if they are liable to be splashed with any lead compound (a) the dust or fume produced must be drawn away by an efficient exhaust draft ; (b) persons employed must undergo medical examination as prescribed and may be suspended from further employment in lead processes ; (c) no food, drink or tobacco may be brought into any room in which the process is carried on ; (d) protective clothing must be provided by the occupier and worn ; (e) suitable cloakroom, mess room and washing accommodation must be provided as prescribed ; and (f) all tools and apparatus must be kept clean.

7.—Lifting Excessive Weights.—A person must not be employed to lift, carry or move any load so heavy as to be likely to cause injury to him.

8.—Certificates of Fitness for young Persons.No young person (that is a person under 18 years of age) may be employed on building operations or works of engineering construction unless within 10 days of taking up employment he or she has been certified medically fit for such employment by the Certifying Doctor. Unless the Certifying Doctor directs an earlier re-examination every young person shall be re-examined annually. The re-examination may be carried out by either the Certifying Doctor or a registered medical practitioner engaged by or on behalf of the young person. The prescribed particulars must be entered in the General Register.

Birth Certificates required for the purposes of the Act may be obtained, at a reduced fee, on application to a Registrar of Births.

GENERAL

9.—General Register.—Every person undertaking building operations or works of engineering construction to which the Act applies must keep a General Register in the prescribed form. The register must be kept at the site of the operations or works or at an office of the undertaker.

10.—Special Regulations and Welfare Regulations made for particular industries, processes, plant, etc., must be observed and printed copies or prescribed Abstracts of all such Regulations which apply must be kept posted at the site of the operations or works or at each office, yard, or shop of the employers at which persons employed on the operations or works attend.

11.—Prohibition of Deductions from Wages.—The occupier must not make a deduction from wages in respect of anything he has to do or provide in pursuance of the Act, or permit any person in his employment to receive payment from other employees for such services.

12.—Duties of Persons Employed.—A person employed must not wilfully interfere with or misuse any means, appliance, convenience or other thing provided in pursuance of the Act for securing health, safety or welfare and he must use any means or appliance for securing health or safety provided for his use under The act. He must not wilfully and without reasonable cause do anything likely to endanger himself or others.

13.—Inspection.—Inspectors of factories have power to inspect every part of the premises by day or by night. They may require the production of Registers, Certificates and other papers. They may examine any person found on the premises either alone or in the presence of any other person as they think fit, and may require him to sign a declaration of the truth of the matters about which he is examined. They may also exercise such other powers as may be necessary for carrying the Act into effect. Every person obstructing an Inspector is liable to a penalty.

ADDITIONAL SAFETY PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO WORKS OF ENGINEERING CONSTRUCTION.

Note.—Regulations require comparable precautions to be taken on building operations—see abstract of regulations.

14.—Chains and ropes and lifting tackle.—No chain, rope, or lifting tackle used for raising or lowering persons or goods may be used unless it is of good construction, sound material and adequate strength and free from patent defect. Tables of safe working loads must be posted in prominent positions on the site but need not cover any lifting tackle the safe working load of which is marked on the tackle itself. Chains, ropes and lifting tackle in use must be thoroughly examined by a competent person every 6 months, and must not (except fibre ropes and fibre rope slings) be taken into use for the first time unless they have been tested and certified.

Periodic annealing is required except in the case of ropes and rope slings and other tackle exempted by the Minister.

A register of all chains, ropes and lifting tackle, and also the certificates of tests, must be kept.

15.—Cranes and other Lifting Machines.—All parts and working gear (including anchoring appliances) of cranes and other lifting machines must be of good construction, sound material and adequate strength and must be properly maintained. A thorough examination of all such parts by a competent person must be made every 14 months. A lifting machine must not be taken into use for the first time unless it has been tested and certified. A register of examinations and tests must be kept. The safe working load or loads must be shown on every lifting machine ; in the case of cranes with a derricking jib an automatic indicator or a table of safe working loads must be attached to the crane.

Rails and tracks of travelling cranes and transporters must be of proper size and construction. If any person is working near the wheel track of an overhead travelling crane, steps must be taken to ensure that the crane does not approach within 20 feet.

GIVEN under my Official Seal, this 4th day of July, 1956.

WILLIAM NORTON,

Minister for Industry and Commerce.