Factories Act 1948:
(i) General duties of occupier:
(1) Every occupier shall ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of all workers while they are at work in the factory. (2) Without prejudice to the generality of the provisions of sub-section (1), the matters to which such duty extends, shall include- (a) the provision and maintenance of plant and systems of work in the factory that are safe and without risks to health; (b) the arrangements in the factory for ensuring safety and absence of risks to health in connection with the use, handling, storage and transport of articles and substances; (c) the provision of such information, instruction, training and supervision as are necessary to ensure the health and safety of all workers at work; (d) the maintenance of all places of work in the factory in a condition that is safe and without risks to health and the provision and maintenance of such means of access to, and egress from, such places as are safe and without such risks; (e) the provision, maintenance or monitoring of such working environment in the factory for the workers that is safe, without risks to health and adequate as regards facilities and arrangements for their welfare at work. (3) Except in such cases as may be prescribed, every occupier shall prepare, and, as often as may be appropriate, revise, a written statement of his general policy with respect to the health and safety of the workers at work and the organization and arrangements for the time being in force for carrying out that policy, and to bring the statement and any revision thereof to the notice of all the workers in such manner as may be prescribed.
(ii) Approval, licensing and registration of factories:
There must be the submission of the plans irrespective of the class and description of the factories to the chief inspector or the state government. Also, the previous permission of the state government or the chief inspector shall be obtained for the site or place where the factory would be constructed or situated. Considering the permit application for the submission of plans and the specification. The authority certifies the nature of plans and specification. Licensing and registration of the factories. Fee for the registration of the license and also for the renewal. Considering the section 7 licenses cannot be granted or renewed if no notice is being served
(iii) Duties of the inspector:
(a) Entre, with such assistants, being persons in the service of the Government, or any local or other public authority, [or with an expert] as he thinks fit, any place which is used, or which he has reason to believe is used, as a factory; (b) Make examination of the premises, plant, machinery, article or substance; (c) Inquire into any accident or dangerous occurrence, whether resulting in bodily injury, disability or not, and take on the spot or otherwise statements of any person which he may consider necessary for such inquiry; (d) Require the production of any prescribed register or any other document relating to the factory. (e) Seize, or take copies of any register, record or other document or any portion thereof, as he may consider necessary in respect of any offence under this Act, which he has reason to believe, has been committed. (f) Direct the occupier that any premises or any part thereof, or anything lying therein, shall be left undisturbed (whether generally or in particular respects) for so long as in necessary for the purpose of any examination under clause (b); (g) Take measurements and photographs and make such recordings as he considers necessary for the purpose of any examination under clause (b), taking with him any necessary instrument or equipment. (h) In case of any article or substance found in any premises, being an article or substance which appears to him as having caused or is likely to cause danger to the health or safety of the workers, direct it to be dismantled or subject it to any process or test (but not so as to damage or destroy it unless the same is, in the circumstances necessary, for carrying out the purposes of this Act.), and take possession of any such article or substance or a part thereof, and detain it for so long as is necessary for such examination. (i) Exercise such other powers as may be prescribed. Provided that no person shall be compelled under this section to answer any question or give any evidence tending to incriminate himself.