CHAPTER-8
8.1 Information available in the reports of various State Governments and Union Territories on health provisions of factory workers is discussed in the following paragraphs:
8.2 The Inspectorate paid keen interest for improvement of general sanitation in factories. During inspections, violation of various statutory provisions were noted and the managements were advised to rectify the same. The Medical Inspector of Factories and the Certifying Surgeons examined and carried out the work of certification to persons engaged in factories involving dangerous/hazardous processes and materials. No occupational disease was reported or detected from any factory during the year 2002.
8.3 Through the Industrial Hygiene Laboratory, medical examination of workers employed in factories was initiated to identify the effects of work environment on the health of workers.
8.5 The Directorate of Industrial Safety and Health (DISH) is having Industrial Health and Hygienic Laboratory at Mumbai (Head Quarters). Twenty three Private medical practitioners were notified by the government as Certifying Surgeons during 2002. The officers of DISH and Certifying Surgeons notified by government visited 410 factories and examined 12423 workers. The total number of MAH (Major Accident Hazard) factories in the state of Maharashtra is 340. On-site disaster control plans have been prepared for these factories and periodical mock – drills for emergencies are conducted regularly. During 2002, 719 inspections were made by MAH. Off-Site emergency plans for the district and local level were prepared and mock-drills of such plans were conducted regularly. MARG (Mutual Aid Response Group) helped immensely in training and making expertise available with bigger factories for upgrading the schemes of the operatives of the similar factories and also of off-site agencies. It also conducted awareness and preparedness training programs for taking action in the event of chemical accidents.
8.6 The Medical Inspectors of Factories (Assistant Director of Factories (Medical) conducted medical examination of 7718 workers in 754 factories where dangerous and hazardous operations were carried on. All the workers were found medically fit. Keeping in view the use of a large number of highly dangerous and poisonous chemical substances in the factories, the officers of the Directorate continuously monitored the work environment by taking sample of poisonous and toxic gases, dust and noise etc. During the year 2002, these environment factors affecting the health of workers and surroundings were found to be under control.
8.7 In this state, 39 factories are identified as "Major Accident Hazard Installations" on the basis of quantity, use/storage of identified hazardous substances. All such factories are required to draw up on-site as well as off site emergency plan. Accordingly, 39 MAH units have drawn their on-site emergency plan so far.
8.8 During 2002, Civil Surgeons and Assistant Civil Surgeons inspected factories (especially hazardous factories) and undertook occupational health surveys. The workers engaged in dangerous operations in factories, which are likely to cause occupational diseases, are periodically examined by the Assistant Surgeons, who have been declared as Certifying Surgeons under the Act. During the year, the Civil Surgeons and Assistant Surgeons examined 20670 workers/persons in 2389 factories.
8.9 On the whole, various provisions of the Act covering Health and Sanitation i.e. Cleanliness, Ventilation and Temperature, Dust and Fumes, Artificial Humidification, Lighting, Overcrowding, Drinking Water facilities, Latrines and Urinals, Disposal of Waste and Spittoons were found to be satisfactory except a few factories where inadequate ventilation was reported.
8.10 On the whole various provision contained in the Factories Act regarding health and sanitation i.e. Cleanliness, Ventilation, and Temperature, Dust and Fumes, Artificial Humidification, Lighting, Overcrowding, Drinking Water, Latrines and Urinals were found to be satisfactory.
CHANDIGARH
8.11 All the provisions of the Factories Act covering Health and Sanitation i.e. Cleanliness, Ventilation and Temperature, Dust and Fumes, Artificial Humidification, Lighting, Over crowding, Drinking Water, Latrines and Urinals were satisfactory.
8.12 About 1341 workers were benefitted by the Industrial Hygiene Occupational Health Unit set up in this Inspectorate during the years 2002. Periodical medical examinations were conducted on workers working in dangerous operations and special fitness certificates were issued.