Under the Factories Act 1948, the threshold for a 'Factory' requiring statutory registration and compliance is a premises employing:

• A 5 or more workers with power, or 10 or more workers without power
• B 20 or more workers with power, or 40 or more workers without power
• C Any manufacturing premises regardless of worker count
• D 10 or more workers with power, or 20 or more workers without power ✓

Explanation

Section 2(m) of the Factories Act 1948 defines a 'factory' as a premises where a manufacturing process is carried on: (i) with the aid of power—10 or more workers, or (ii) without the aid of power—20 or more workers, on any day of the preceding 12 months. Premises below these thresholds are not covered by the Act's occupational health and safety provisions. The Act also covers welfare measures (canteen, crèche, first aid), working hours (48 hours/week, maximum 60 hours with overtime), and prohibited occupations for young persons.

Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.