Understanding Factory Act Compliance: OHC, Ambulance Room, and Ambulance Provision

Dear all,

Could you please let me know the following:

1. What is non-hazardous?
2. When to construct OHC, ambulance room, and ambulance?
3. Ours is green category as per PCB.

Can anybody help me out with your valuable suggestions along with documentary proof?

Thanking you,
H. Rao

Dear Friend,

According to the Factory Act of 1948:

1. "Hazardous process" means any process or activity in relation to an industry where, unless special care is taken, raw materials used therein or the intermediate or finished products, by-products, wastes, or effluents thereof would:
(i) cause material impairment to the health of the persons engaged in or connected therewith, or
(ii) result in the pollution of the general environment, or threat to life.

2. If 50 or more employees are employed, there shall be provided an Occupational Health Center with due conditions.

3. If 500 or more employees are employed, there shall be provided and maintained an ambulance room containing prescribed equipment and nursing staff.

Thanks and Regards,
Somanath R Sali

Dear Rao,

Adding to the reply of Somnath, there is nowhere defined what is non-hazardous. The definition of Hazardous processes is defined in Section 2(cb) of the Factories Act which has been reproduced. Apart from this, the First Schedule to the Act lists out the industries involving Hazardous Processes. You have to verify the same with respect to your manufacturing process. Since you would be operating the factory under a factory license, this would have been checked by the Factories Inspector while granting you a license. The statutory position regarding Ambulance, OHC has been replied to by Shri Somnath. The categorization as Green has no effect on the Factory Act compliance requirements; it has to do only with Pollution Laws.

KK