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State of West Bengal - Section

Section 19A in The West Bengal Factories Rules, 1958

19A. [ Ventilation and Temperature. [Rule 19A inserted by (Amendment) Rule, 1991, dated 27.11.1991.]

– (1) In any factory the maximum wet-bulb temperature of air in a work-room at a height of 1.5 meters above the floor level shall not exceed 30 degrees centigrade and adequate air movement with a velocity of at least 30 meters per minute shall be proved and, in relation to dry-bulb temperature, the wet-bulb temperature in the workroom at the said height shall not exceed what is shown in the schedule below :-]
Dry - bulb temperature Wet - bulb temperature
30°C to 34°C 29°C
above 34°C upto 39°C 28.5°C
above 39'C upto44°C 28°C
above 44°C upto 47°C 27.5°C
Provided that if the temperature measured with a thermometer inserted in a hollow globe of 15 centimeters diameter coated mat black outside and kept in the environment for not less than 20 minutes exceeds the dry-bulb temperature of air, the temperature so recorded by the globe thermometer shall be taken in place of the dry-bulb temperature :Provided further that when the reading of wet-bulb temperature outside in the shade exceeds 27 degree centigrade, the value of the wet bulb temperature allowed in the schedule for a given dry-bulb temperature may be correspondingly exceeded to the same extent :Provided also that the requirement as aforesaid shall not apply in respect of factories covered by section 15 of the Act and in respect of factories where the nature of work carried on involves production of excessively high temperature referred to in clause (ii) of sub-section (1) of section 13 of the. Act to which workers are exposed for short periods of time not exceeding one hour followed by an interval of sufficient duration in thermal environments not exceeding those otherwise laid down in these rules.Provided also that the Chief Inspector, having due regard to the health of the workers, may, in special and exceptional circumstances, by an order in writing exempt any factory or part of a factory from this sub-rule, in so far as restricting the thermal conditions within the limits laid down in the schedule concerned, to the extent he may consider necessary, subject to such conditions as may be specified in the order.
(2)If it appears to the Inspector that in any factory, the temperature of air in a workroom is sufficiently high and is likely to exceed the limits prescribed in sub-rule (1), he may, subject to the control of the Chief Inspector, serve on the manager of the factory an order requiring him to provide sufficient number of whirling hygrometers or any other type of hygrometers and direct that the dry-bulb and wet-bulb reading in each such workroom shall be recorded, at such locations as may be approved by the Inspector, twice during each working shift by a person especially nominated for the purpose by the manager and approved by the Inspector.
(3)If the Inspector has reasons to believe that a substantial amount of heat is added inside the environment of a workroom by radiation from walls, roof or other solid surroundings, he may, subject to the control of the Chief Inspector, serve on the manager of the factory an order requiring him to provide one or more globe thermometer(s) referred to in the first proviso to sub-rule (I), to place them at places as specified in the order and to keep a record of the temperature in a suitable register which shall be kept available for examination by an Inspector at all times during working of the factory.
(4)In every factory the amount the ventilation opening in a work room below the caves shall, except where mechanical means, if ventilation as required by sub-rule (3) are provided, be of an aggregate area of not less than 15% of the floor area and shall be so located as to afford a continued supply of fresh air :Provided that the Chief Inspector may relax the requirement as aforesaid if he is satisfied that having regard to the location of the factory. orientation of the workroom, prevailing wind, roof height and the nature of manufacturing process carried on, sufficient supply of fresh air into the workroom is afforded during most part of the working time :Provided further that such requirement shall not apply in respect of workrooms of factories -
(i)covered by section 15 of the Act ; or
(ii)in which temperature and humidity are controlled by refrigeration.
(5)Where in any factory owing to special circumstances such as situation with respect to adjacent buildings and height of the buildings with respect to floor space, the requirement of ventilation openings under sub-rule (4) cannot be compiled with or, in the opinion of the Inspector, the temperature of air in a workroom is sufficiently high and is likely to exceed the limits prescribed in sub-rule (I), he may, subject to the control of the Chief Inspector, serve on the manager of the factory an order requiring him to provide additional ventilation either by means of roof ventilators or by mechanical means.
(6)The amount of fresh air supplied by mechanical means of ventilation in an hour shall be equivalent to at least six times the cubic capacity of the workroom and shall be distributed evenly throughout the workroom without dead airpockets or undue draughts caused by high velocities of inlet air.
(7)In regions, where in summer (from 15th March to the 15th July) dry-bulb temperature of outside air in the workroom of a factory during most part of the day exceeds 35 degree centigrade and simultaneously wet-bulb temperature is 25 degree centigrade or below and, in the option of the Inspector, the manufacturing process carried on therein permits thermal environment with relative humidity of 50% or more, the Inspector may, subject to the control of the Chief Inspector. serve on the manager of the factory an order requiring him to have sufficient supply of outside air as needed for ventilation cooled by passing it through water spray either by means of unit type of evaporative aircooler (desert cooler) or, where supply of outside air is provided by mechanical means through ducts in a plenum system. by means of control air washing plants.