Compliance in Indian factories
Many compliances in India are related to workforce safety and welfare. The industrial infrastructure architects must ensure that the design is as per the guidelines of the acts. Some of them:
1. Workplace creches:
Workplace creches or Daycare centres inside industries are reliable and efficient facilities for caring for employees’ children during work hours. These facilities ensure compliance with regulations, especially if there are more than 50 women employees in the facility. These centres shall be sanitary, well-ventilated with good lighting and have furniture for kids. These daycare centres also have a baby feeding station. Rules also mandate that the creches must be under the charge of well-trained women. Some states also guide the location, construction, and equipment in creches. Others mandate the provision of milk and refreshments for the children.
2. Occupational Health Centres (OHCs):
Occupational health Centres are facilities in the factory that ensure that first-aid and basic health provisions are accessible to factory workers. Legally, in a factory with 200 or more workers or factories with hazardous processes, an OHC is mandatory. This OHC helps address the healthcare needs of the workers. Other factories must have basic first-aid and healthcare facilities. The location of the OHC must be accessible to all and at a location that ensures quick transportation of the injured or sick. It must be well-ventilated, spacious, well-lit, sanitary, and equipped. The OHCs must have qualified professionals and a medical practitioner on board. A factory with more than 200 workers must have at least two rooms of 15 Sq. Mtrs each. In factories with more than 500 workers, having an ambulance at all times is also necessary.
3. Canteens and lunch rooms:
The Factories Act mandates that any facility employing more than 250 workers have a canteen. These canteens may be either serving canteens or with cooking facilities. The canteens must be well-ventilated, sanitary, well-lit and equipped to seat the workers. Lunch rooms are for workers to sit and have the food brought from home. These lunch rooms are for factories that employ between 150 to 250 workers.
3. Toilet blocks:
Toilet blocks with urinals and Western and or Indian commodes must be as per the codes and standards. The restrooms for male and female workers must be separate. The restrooms must be sanitary and well-lit
Conclusion:
Industrial infrastructure architects must ensure the design complies with the acts and local regulations. Contraventions result in penalties and imprisonment.
