Factories Act 1961

Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom (Variant 1, 2022)

The Factories Act 1961 is an Act of Parliament of the United Kingdom that consolidates previous legislation related to the health, safety, and welfare of workers in factories. The Act was designed to regulate the conditions under which workers operate in factories, ensuring their safety and well-being.

History

The Factories Act 1961 was enacted to consolidate various earlier pieces of legislation, including the Factories Act 1937 and the Factories Act 1959. These earlier acts were themselves built upon even older laws dating back to the Factory Act 1833, which was one of the first attempts to regulate the working conditions in factories during the Industrial Revolution.

Provisions

The Factories Act 1961 includes several key provisions aimed at protecting workers:

• **Health**: The Act mandates that factories must be kept clean, with proper ventilation, lighting, and sanitary facilities. It also requires the control of dust, fumes, and other hazardous substances.
• **Safety**: The Act includes regulations on the safe operation of machinery, the provision of safety guards, and the requirement for regular maintenance and inspection of equipment. It also mandates the provision of safety training for workers.
• **Welfare**: The Act requires factories to provide adequate welfare facilities, including restrooms, drinking water, and first aid provisions.
• **Working Hours**: The Act regulates the working hours of factory workers, including provisions for rest breaks and limits on overtime.
• **Employment of Young Persons**: The Act includes specific provisions regarding the employment of young persons, including restrictions on the types of work they can perform and the hours they can work.

Enforcement

The enforcement of the Factories Act 1961 is the responsibility of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in the United Kingdom. The HSE conducts inspections and investigations to ensure compliance with the Act and has the authority to take legal action against employers who violate its provisions.

Amendments and Repeals

Since its enactment, the Factories Act 1961 has been amended by various subsequent pieces of legislation, including the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. Some of its provisions have been repealed or replaced by more modern regulations, but it remains a foundational piece of legislation in the field of occupational health and safety.

See also

• Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
• Industrial Revolution
• Factory Act 1833
• Factories Act 1937
• Factories Act 1959
• Health and Safety Executive