A worker in an electroplating unit develops punched-out nasal septum perforation and painless indurated skin ulcers on the forearms over several months. The diagnosis is chromium poisoning, which appears in the Third Schedule of the Factories Act 1948 as a notified occupational disease. What is the legally mandated action?
- A The case need only be recorded in the factory health register, with no external reporting required
- B The occupier must notify the case to the Chief Inspector of Factories in the prescribed manner and time ✓
- C Compensation must be filed with the District Magistrate before any statutory reporting obligation arises
- D Notification is required only if three or more cases occur in the same factory within one year
Correct answer: B. The occupier must notify the case to the Chief Inspector of Factories in the prescribed manner and time
Explanation
Section 89 of the Factories Act 1948 obliges the occupier and the manager of every factory to send a notice to the Chief Inspector of Factories whenever any person employed contracts a disease listed in the Third Schedule, which includes lead, chromium, manganese, mercury, arsenic, benzene, carbon disulphide, phosphorus, nitrous fumes poisoning, anthrax, silicosis, asbestosis, byssinosis, and noise induced hearing loss. Single cases trigger notification, so the multi-case option is wrong.
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.