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One of the most common questions from factory managers and EHS professionals in India is: what exactly are we required to display? The Factories Act 1948 and state factory rules contain various display requirements, but they are scattered across sections and not always easy to compile into a practical checklist.
This guide brings together the key mandatory safety display requirements in one place.
Mandatory Statutory Notices Under the Factories Act
The Factories Act 1948 and associated state rules require the following to be posted in every registered factory. A notice specifying the name of the occupier, manager, and certifying surgeon, with contact information. The weekly hours of work for different categories of workers. The holiday and leave schedule. Notice of hazardous processes where applicable, under Section 41C, informing workers of the nature of hazards and precautions required. First aid box location notice. Fire escape and evacuation route information. Notice of the nearest hospital with contact information.
Language Requirement for Mandatory Notices
Section 108 of the Factories Act requires that notices posted in the factory be in English and in the official language of the state where the factory is located, or in the language spoken by the majority of the workers. This is a firm legal requirement, not a recommendation. A factory in Uttar Pradesh must display required notices in Hindi. A factory in Tamil Nadu must display in Tamil. A factory in Maharashtra must display in Marathi. Notices only in English do not satisfy this requirement.
Additional Requirements Under State Factory Rules
State factory rules under the Factories Act add further requirements. Most states require safety precaution notices at dangerous machines. Several states require welfare notices listing facilities available to workers. Chemical process factories in most states are required to display specific process hazard information at relevant work areas.
What Is Not Mandatory But Is Strongly Expected
Beyond the statutory minimum, a factory inspector conducting a thorough inspection will expect to see process-specific safety posters at hazardous workstations, fire extinguisher type and usage notices, emergency assembly point signs, and safety signs at all machine guarding points. While these may not all be statutory mandates under a specific section, their absence is routinely noted as a deficiency.
At Industry Visuals, we deliver visual posters for all industries across India. Browse our range of statutory and awareness safety posters.
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