Factory Safety Dilemma: Is Having an Ambulance On-Site Essential?

Hi All,

I urgently need to know if it is necessary to have an ambulance at the factory site along with the medical officer.

Please search for Maharashtra factories rules and look for ambulance and doctor requirements. The provisions are quite detailed, so please do your homework.

According to the Factory Act of 1948, Section 40-B provides that in every factory:

1. Where 1000 or more workers are ordinarily employed, or
2. Where the manufacturing process or operation involves a risk of bodily injury, poisoning, disease, or any other hazard to the health of the persons employed therein, the occupier shall employ such a number of safety officers as prescribed by the state government.

Additionally, where more than 500 workers are ordinarily employed in a factory, an ambulance room should be provided and maintained by every such factory.

The above explanations are truly based on the Factories Act of 1948.

Thanks!

Regards, Amit

The provisions of the Factories Act have been explained by Mr. Amit. If your factory is located in a state other than Maharashtra, please verify the regulations set by that State Government. I would like to bring to your attention that in one of the factories situated in a remote area, a fatal accident was reported. During the factory inspection, the Factory Inspector recommended (but did not make it compulsory) that an ambulance should be available on the premises for emergencies.

There are many forward-thinking managements that employ qualified staff, including a part-time or full-time doctor, to handle emergencies and conduct annual health check-ups for employees. You can determine your needs based on the requirements of the manufacturing process, the number of employees, and the location.

Please let me know if you require any further assistance.

Best regards, [Your Name]

Ambulance Vans in Factories with Hazardous Processes

For units having hazardous processes, there is a mention of the following with respect to ambulance vans in the provisions of the Factories Act:

73-X.

Ambulance Vans - (1) In any factory carrying out a 'hazardous process,' there shall be provided and maintained in good condition a suitably constructed ambulance van equipped with items as per sub-rule (2) and manned by a full-time Driver-cum-Mechanic and Helper trained in first aid for the purpose of transporting serious cases of accidents or sickness. The ambulance van shall not be used for any purpose other than the stipulated purpose and will normally be stationed at or near the Occupational Health Centre:

Provided that a factory employing fewer than 200 workers may make arrangements to procure such a facility at short notice from a nearby hospital or other places to meet any emergency.

(2) The ambulance should have the following equipment:

(a) General - A wheeled stretcher with folding and adjusting devices with the head of the stretcher capable of being tilted upward; Fixed suction unit with equipment; Fixed oxygen supply with equipment; Pillow with case; Sheets; Blankets; Towels; Emesis bag; Bedpan; Urinal; Glass.

(b) Safety equipment - Flares with a lifespan of 30 minutes; Flashlights; Fire extinguisher dry powder type; Insulated gauntlets.

(c) Emergency care equipment - (i) Resuscitation; portable suction unit; portable oxygen units; Bag-Valve-mask; hand-operated artificial ventilation unit; airways-mouth gags; Tracheostomy adapters; short spine board; IV fluids with administration unit; B.P. manometer; Cugg-Stethoscope.

(ii) Immobilization - Long and short padded boards; Wire ladder splints; Triangular bandage; Long and short spine boards.

(iii) Dressings - Gauze pads 4" x 4" - Universal; dressing 10" x 36"; Roll of aluminum foils; Soft roller bandages 6" x 5 yards; Adhesive tape in a 3" roll; Safety pins; Bandage sheets; Burn Sheet.

(iv) Poisoning - Syrup of Ipecac; Activated Charcoal Prepackaged in doses; Snakebite kit; Drinking water.

(v) Emergency Medicines - As per requirement (under the advice of the Medical Officer).

Decontamination Facilities in Factories with Hazardous Processes

73-Y. Decontamination facilities - In every factory carrying out a 'hazardous process,' the following provisions shall be made to meet emergencies:

(a) Fully equipped first-aid box;

(b) Readily accessible means of drenching with water for flooding workers or parts of the body of workers who have been contaminated with hazardous and corrosive substances; such means shall be as per the scale shown in the table below:

TABLE

Number of persons employed at any time Number of drenching showers

(i) Up to 50 workers - 2

(ii) Between 51 to 200 workers - 2+1 for every additional 50 or part thereafter

(iii) Between 201 to 500 workers - 5+1 for every additional 100 or part thereafter

(iv) 501 workers and above - 8+1 for every additional 200 or part thereafter

(c) A sufficient number of eye wash bottles filled with distilled water or suitable liquid, kept in boxes or cupboards conveniently situated and clearly indicated by a distinctive sign visible at all times.

Dear Friends,

In Maharashtra, please consider using the 108 Ambulance Services for emergencies. Create an evacuation plan that allows for the use of any general vehicle or MPV for the quick evacuation of casualties. It is important to note that unless it is a situation where a patient must travel lying down, any general-purpose vehicle can be utilized after providing the necessary first aid.

Dr. (Gp Capt) Suchitra Mankar MD, AFIH

Dear All,

I highly suggest starting to upgrade your ambulance system to match the National Ambulance Code, as per AIS 125 standards. The government is becoming stricter about using MPV/Omni ambulances, and we have seen instances of these being categorized as 'uncategorized' ambulances.

Regards,
Prabhdeep Singh
StanPlus

What is the process for the exemption of an ambulance in a factory?