Title and introductory text
Factories Act 1961 1961 c.34 An Act to consolidate the Factories Acts 1937 to 1959 and certain other enactments relating to the safety, health and welfare of employed persons. [22nd June 1961]
Propose a changeLaw
Factories Act 1961
United Kingdom · statute
Ask the law about thisMore laws of United KingdomFor machines: Markdown
In force since 2016-07-12, as the publisher states.
Copy read on 2026-11-08. The page it was read from
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.
sha256 f4663910f20cc3bc4fa1fcc5baae8f84b66facc8a5a1100d4c6ae6dcce4a82cd
Contents: 148 provisions
- Title and introductory text
- 1 Cleanliness.
- 2 Overcrowding.
- 3 Temperature.
- 4 Ventilation.
- 5 Lighting.
- 6 Drainage of floors.
- 7 Sanitary Conveniences.
- 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 10A
- 11 Power to require medical supervision.
- 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 18 Dangerous substances.
- 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 24 Teagle openings and similar doorways.
- 25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 28 Floors, passages and stairs.
- 29 Safe means of access and safe place of employment.
- 30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 31 Precautions with respect to explosive or inflammable dust, gas, vapour or substance.
- 32 Steam boilers—attachments and construction.
- 33 Steam boilers—maintenance, examination and use.
- 34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 36 Air receivers.
- 37 .
- 38 .
- 39 Precautions as respects water-sealed gasholders.
- 40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 53 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 56 Application of Part II to Scotland.
- 57 Supply of drinking water.
- 58 Washing facilities.
- 59 Accommodation for clothing.
- 60 Sitting facilities.
- 61 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 62 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 63 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 65 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 66 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 67 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 68 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 69 Underground rooms.
- 70 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 72 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 73
- 74 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 75 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 76 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 77 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 79 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 80 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 81 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 82 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 83 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 84 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 85 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 86 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 95 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 96 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 110 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 112 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 117 Exemptions from provisions regulating hours of employment.
- 118 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 119 Power of inspector to require certificate of fitness for work.
- 119A Duty of factory occupier to give notice of employment of a young person.
- 120 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 121 Tenement factories—other provisions.
- 122 Parts of buildings let off as separate factories—other provisions.
- 123 Application of Act to electrical stations.
- 124 Institutions.
- 125 Docks, etc.
- 126 Ships.
- 127 Building operations and works of engineering construction.
- 128 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 129
- 130 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 131 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 132 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 133 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 134 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 135 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 136 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 137 Notice of occupation of factory, and use of mechanical power.
- 138 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 139 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 140 General registers.
- 141 Preservation of registers and records.
- 142 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 143 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 144 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 145 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 146 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 148 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 149 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 151 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 153 Provisions as to county and district councils.
- 154 Prohibition of disclosure of information
- 154A Exception to the prohibition: public authorities
- 155 Offences.
- 156 Fines for offences for which no express penalty provided.
- 157 Power of court to order cause of contravention to be remedied.
- 158 Fine for offence by parent.
- 159 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 160 Penalty on person actually committing an offence for which other person is primarily liable.
- 161 Power of person primarily liable to exempt himself from liability.
- 162 Proceedings against persons not primarily liable.
- 163 Owner of machine liable in certain cases instead of occupier.
- 164 Prosecution of offences and application of fines.
- 165 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 166 Special provisions as to evidence.
- 167 Proceedings for offences in respect of the employment of children.
- 168 Service of documents, etc.
- 169 Power of county court or sheriff to modify agreements.
- 170 Power of county court or sheriff to apportion expenses.
- 171 Application of the Arbitration (Scotland) Act 2010 or the Arbitration Act 1996.
- 172 General application.
- 173 Application to Crown.
- 174
- 175 Interpretation of expression “factory".
- 176 General interpretation
- 177 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 178 Certificates of birth.
- 179 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 180 Regulations, rules and orders.
- 181 Substitution of corresponding provisions for certain provisions of Factory and Workshop Act 1901.
- 182 General application to Scotland.
- 183 Transitional provisions and repeals.
- 184 Construction of references in other enactments to factories and workshops, etc. and exclusion of certain provisions of Public Health (London) Act 1936.
- 185 Short title, commencement and extent.
- FIRST SCHEDULE
- SECOND SCHEDULE
- THIRD AND FOURTH SCHEDULES
- FIFTH SCHEDULES Provisions of the Factory and Workshop Act 1901 applicable in London and Scotland only . . .
- SIXTH SCHEDULE Transitional Provisions
- SEVENTH SCHEDULE
Proposed changes to this act
No one has proposed a change to this act yet.
148 provisions
1 Cleanliness.
(1) Every factory shall be kept in a clean state and free from effluvia arising from any drain, sanitary convenience or nuisance. (2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) of this section,— (a) accumulations of dirt and refuse shall be removed daily by a suitable method from the floors and benches of workrooms, and from the staircases and passages; (b) the floor of every workroom shall be cleaned at least once every week by washing or, if it is effective and suitable, by sweeping or other method. (3) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) of this section but subject to subsection (4) thereof, the following provisions shall apply as respects all inside walls and partitions and all ceilings or tops of rooms, and all walls, sides and tops of passages and staircases, that is to say,— (a) where they have a smooth impervious surface, they shall at least once in every period of fourteen months be washed with hot water and soap or other suitable detergent or cleaned by such other method as may be approved by the inspector for the district; (b) where they are kept painted in a prescribed manner or varnished, they shall be repainted in a prescribed manner or revarnished at such intervals of not more than seven years as may be prescribed, and shall at least once in every period of fourteen months be washed with hot water and soap or other suitable detergent or cleaned by such other method as may be approved by the inspector for the district; (c) in any other case they shall be kept whitewashed or colourwashed and the whitewashing or colourwashing shall be repeated at least once in every period of fourteen months. (4) Except in a case where the inspector for the district otherwise requires, the provisions of subsection (3) of this section shall not apply to any factory where mechanical power is not used and less than ten persons are employed. (5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Propose a change2 Overcrowding.
(1) A factory shall not, while work is carried on, be so overcrowded as to cause risk of injury to the health of the persons employed in it. (2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) of this section but subject to subsection (3) thereof, the number of persons employed at a time in any workroom shall not be such that the amount of cubic space allowed for each is less than 11 cubic metres. (3) If the chief inspector is satisfied that, owing to the special conditions under which the work is carried on in any workroom in which explosive materials are manufactured or handled, the application of subsection (2) of this section to that workroom would be inappropriate or unnecessary, he may by certificate except the workroom from that subsection subject to any conditions specified in the certificate. (4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (5) In calculating for the purposes of this section the amount of cubic space in any room no space more than 4.2 metres from the floor shall be taken into account and, where a room contains a gallery, the gallery shall be treated for the purposes of this section as if it were partitioned off from the remainder of the room and formed a separate room. (6) Unless the inspector for the district otherwise allows, there shall be posted in the workroom a notice specifying the number of persons who, having regard to the provisions of this section, may be employed in that room.
Propose a change3 Temperature.
(1) Effective provision shall be made for securing and maintaining a reasonable temperature in each workroom, but no method shall be employed which results in the escape into the air of any workroom of any fume of such a character and to such extent as to be likely to be injurious or offensive to persons employed therein. (2) In every workroom in which a substantial proportion of the work is done sitting and does not involve serious physical effort a temperature of less than 16 degrees Celsius shall not be deemed, after the first hour, to be a reasonable temperature while work is going on, and at least one thermometer shall be provided and maintained in a suitable position in every such workroom. (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Propose a change4 Ventilation.
(1) Effective and suitable provision shall be made for securing and maintaining by the circulation of fresh air in each workroom the adequate ventilation of the room . . . . (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Propose a change5 Lighting.
(1) Effective provision shall be made for securing and maintaining sufficient and suitable lighting, whether natural or artificial, in every part of a factory in which persons are working or passing. (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (3) Nothing in the foregoing provisions of this section or in any regulations made thereunder shall be construed as enabling directions to be prescribed or otherwise given as to whether any artificial lighting is to be produced by any particular illuminant. (4) All glazed windows and skylights used for the lighting of workrooms shall, so far as practicable, be kept clean on both the inner and outer surfaces and free from obstruction; but this subsection shall not affect the whitewashing or shading of windows and skylights for the purpose of mitigating heat or glare.
Propose a change6 Drainage of floors.
Where any process is carried on which renders the floor liable to be wet to such an extent that the wet is capable of being removed by drainage, effective means shall be provided and maintained for draining off the wet.
Propose a change7 Sanitary Conveniences.
(1) Sufficient and suitable sanitary conveniences for the persons employed in the factory shall be provided, maintained and kept clean, and effective provision shall be made for lighting them and, where persons of both sexes are or are intended to be employed (except in the case of factories where the only persons employed are members of the same family dwelling there) the conveniences shall afford proper separate accommodation for persons of each sex. (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Propose a change8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Propose a change9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Propose a change10A
(1) If an employment medical adviser is of opinion that there ought, on grounds mentioned in subsection (2) below, to be a medical examination of a person or persons employed in a factory, he may serve on the occupier of the factory a written notice stating that he is of that opinion and requiring that the occupier shall permit a medical examination in accordance with this section of the person or persons in question, and the examination shall be permitted accordingly. (2) The grounds on which a medical examination of a person may be required by an employment medical adviser’s notice under subsection (1) above are that (in the adviser’s opinion) the person’s health has been or is being injured, or it is possible that it has been, is being or will be injured, by reason of the nature of the work he is or has been called upon to do or may (to the adviser’s knowledge) be called upon to do; and a notice under that subsection may be given with respect to one or more named persons or to persons of a class or description specified in the notice. (3) A notice under subsection (1) above shall name the place where the medical examination is to be conducted and, if it is a place other than the factory, the day on which and the time at which it is to be begun; and— (a) every person to whom the notice relates shall be informed, as soon as practicable after service thereof, of the contents thereof and of the fact that he is free to attend for the purpose of submitting to the examination; and (b) if the notice states that the examination is to be conducted at the factory, suitable accommodation thereat shall be provided for the conduct of the examination. (4) A medical examination conducted in pursuance of a notice under subsection (1) above shall be begun within seven days after the day on which the notice is served, and shall be conducted by, or in accordance with arrangements made by, an employment medical adviser, and take place at a reasonable time during working hours. (5) An employment medical adviser may, by written notice served on the occupier of a factory, cancel a notice served on the occupier under subsection (1) above; and a notice which relates to two or more named persons may be cancelled either in relation to them all or in relation to any one or more of them. (6) In this section, “medical examination” includes pathological, physiological and radiological tests and similar investigations.
Propose a change11 Power to require medical supervision.
(1) Where it appears to the Minister— (a) that in any factory or class or description of factory— (i) cases of illness have occurred which he has reason to believe may be due to the nature of a process or other conditions of work; or (ii) by reason of changes in any process or in the substances used in any process, or by reason of the introduction of any new process or new substance for use in a process, there may be risk of injury to the health of persons employed in that process; or (iii) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (b) that there may be risk of injury to the health of persons employed in a factory— (i) from any substance or material brought to the factory to be used or handled therein; or (ii) from any change in the conditions of work or other conditions in the factory; he may make special regulations requiring such reasonable arrangements to be made for the medical supervision (not including medical treatment other than first-aid treatment and medical treatment of a preventive character) of the persons, or any class of the persons, employed at that factory or class or description of factory as may be specified in the regulations. (2) Where the Minister proposes to exercise his powers under this section in relation to a particular factory and for a limited period, he may exercise those powers by order instead of by special regulations, and any such order shall, subject to subsection (3) of this section, cease to have effect at the expiration of such period not exceeding six months from the date when it comes into operation as may be specified in the order. (3) The Minister may by subsequent order or orders extend the said period, but if the occupier of the factory by notice in writing to him objects to any such extension, the original order shall cease to have effect as from one month after the service of the notice, without prejudice to the making of special regulations in relation to the factory.
Propose a change12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Propose a change13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Propose a change14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Propose a change15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Propose a change16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Propose a change17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Propose a change18 Dangerous substances.
(1) Every fixed vessel, structure, sump or pit of which the edge is less than 920 millimetres above the highest ground or platform from which a person might fall into it shall, if it contains any scalding, corrosive or poisonous liquid, either be securely covered or be securely fenced to at least 920 millimetres above that ground or platform, or where by reason of the nature of the work neither secure covering nor secure fencing to that height is practicable, all practicable steps shall be taken by covering, fencing or other means to prevent any person from falling into the vessel, structure, sump or pit. (2) Where any fixed vessel, structure, sump or pit contains any scalding, corrosive or poisonous liquid but is not securely covered, no ladder, stair or gangway shall be placed above, across or inside it which is not— (a) at least 460 millimetres wide, and (b) securely fenced on both sides to a height of at least 920 millimetres and securely fixed. (3) Where any such vessels, structures, sump or pits as are mentioned in subsection (2) of this section adjoin, and the space between them, clear of any surrounding brick or other work, is less than 460 millimetres in width or is not securely fenced on both sides to a height of at least 920 millimetres, secure barriers shall be so placed as to prevent passage between them. (4) For the purposes of this section a ladder, stair or gangway shall not be deemed to be securely fenced unless it is provided either with sheet fencing or with an upper and a lower rail and toe boards. (5), (6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Propose a change19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Propose a change20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Propose a change21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Propose a change22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Propose a change23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Propose a change24 Teagle openings and similar doorways.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Propose a change25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Propose a change26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Propose a change27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Propose a change28 Floors, passages and stairs.
(1) All floors, steps, stairs, passages and gangways shall be of sound construction and properly maintained and shall, so far as is reasonably practicable, be kept free from any obstruction and from any substance likely to cause persons to slip. (2) For every staircase in a building or affording a means of exit from a building, a substantial hand-rail shall be provided and maintained, which, if the staircase has an open side, shall be on that side, and in the case of a staircase having two open sides or of a staircase which, owing to the nature of its construction or the condition of the surface of the steps or other special circumstances, is specially liable to cause accidents, such a hand-rail shall be provided and maintained on both sides. (3) Any open side of a staircase shall also be guarded by the provision and maintenance of a lower rail or other effective means. (4) All openings in floors shall be securely fenced, except in so far as the nature of the work renders such fencing impracticable. (5) All ladders shall be soundly constructed and properly maintained.
Propose a change29 Safe means of access and safe place of employment.
(1) There shall, so far as is reasonably practicable, be provided and maintained safe means of access to every place at which any person has at any time to work, and every such place shall, so far as is reasonably practicable, be made and kept safe for any person working there. (2) Where any person has to work at a place from which he will be liable to fall a distance more than 2 metres, then, unless the place is one which affords secure foothold and, where necessary, secure hand-hold, means shall be provided, so far as is reasonably practicable, by fencing or otherwise, for ensuring his safety.
Propose a change30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Propose a change31 Precautions with respect to explosive or inflammable dust, gas, vapour or substance.
(1) Where, in connection with any grinding, sieving, or other process giving rise to dust, there may escape dust of such a character and to such an extent as to be liable to explode on ignition, all practicable steps shall be taken to prevent such an explosion by enclosure of the plant used in the process, and by removal or prevention of accumulation of any dust that may escape in spite of the enclosure, and by exclusion or effective enclosure of possible sources of ignition. (2) Where there is present in any plant used in any such process as aforesaid dust of such a character and to such an extent as to be liable to explode on ignition, then, unless the plant is so constructed as to withstand the pressure likely to be produced by any such explosion, all practicable steps shall be taken to restrict the spread and effects of such an explosion by the provision, in connection with the plant, of chokes, baffles and vents, or other equally effective appliances. (3) Where any part of a plant contains any explosive or inflammable gas or vapour under pressure greater than atmospheric pressure, that part shall not be opened, except in accordance with the following provisions:— (a) before the fastening of any joint of any pipe connected with the part of the plant or the fastening of the cover of any opening into the part is loosened, any flow of the gas or vapour into the part or into any such pipe shall be effectively stopped by a stop-valve or otherwise; (b) before any such fastening is removed, all practicable steps shall be taken to reduce the pressure of the gas or vapour in the pipe or part of the plant to atmospheric pressure; and if any such fastening has been loosened or removed, no explosive or inflammable gas or vapour shall be allowed to enter the pipe or part of the plant until the fastening has been secured or, as the case may be, securely replaced; but nothing in this subsection applies to a plant installed in the open air. (4) No plant, tank or vessel which contains or has contained any explosive or inflammable substance shall be subjected— (a) to any welding, brazing or soldering operation; (b) to any cutting operation which involves the application of heat; or (c) to any operation involving the application of heat for the purpose of taking apart or removing the plant, tank or vessel or any part of it; until all practicable steps have been taken to remove the substance and any fumes arising from it, or to render them non-explosive or non-inflammable; and if any plant, tank or vessel has been subjected to any such operation, no explosive or inflammable substance shall be allowed to enter the plant, tank or vessel until the metal has cooled sufficiently to prevent any risk of igniting the substance. (5) The chief inspector may by certificate grant, subject to any conditions specified in the certificate, exemption from compliance with any of the requirements of subsections (3) and (4) of this section in any case where he is satisfied that compliance with the requirement is unnecessary or impracticable.
Propose a change32 Steam boilers—attachments and construction.
(1) Subject to subsection (3) of this section, every steam boiler, whether separate or one of a range,— (a) shall have attached to it the devices mentioned in subsection (2) of this section; (b) shall be provided with means for attaching a test pressure gauge; and (c) shall, unless externally fired, be provided with a suitable fusible plug or an efficient low-water alarm device. (2) The devices referred to in subsection (1) of this section are— (a) a suitable safety valve, separate from any stop-valve, which shall be so adjusted as to prevent the boiler being worked at a pressure greater than the maximum permissible working pressure and shall be fixed directly to, or as close as practicable to, the boiler; (b) a suitable stop-valve connecting the boiler to the steam pipe; (c) a correct steam pressure gauge connected to the steam space and easily visible by the boilder attendant, which shall indicate the pressure of steam in the boiler . . . , and have marked on it in a distinctive colour the maximum permissible working pressure; (d) at least one water gauge of transparent material or other type approved by the chief inspector to show the water level in the boiler, together, if the gauge is of the glass tubular type and the working pressure of the boiler normally exceeds 2·75 bars, with an efficient guard provided so as not to obstruct the reading of the gauge; (e) where the boiler is one of two or more boilers, a plate bearing a distinctive number which shall be easily visible. (3) Paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of this section shall not apply with respect to economisers, and paragraphs (c), (d) and (e) of that subsection and paragraphs (b) and (c) of subsection (1) of this section shall not apply with respect to either economisers or superheaters (4) For the purposes of the foregoing provisions of this section, a lever-valve shall not be deemed a suitable safety valve unless the weight is secured on the lever in the correct position. (5) Every part of every steam boiler shall be of good construction, sound material and adequate strength, and free from patent defect.
Propose a change33 Steam boilers—maintenance, examination and use.
(1) Every steam boiler and all its fittings and attachments shall be properly maintained. (2) A steam boiler shall not be used in any factory unless it has been examined, together with its fittings and attachments, in such manner as the Minister may by regulations prescribe and no greater period than may be so prescribed has elapsed since the examination, but the regulations may provide for extending in special circumstances the time during which a boiler which has been examined as required by the regulations may be used in a factory without being again so examined. (3) The Minister may by special regulations prescribe the manner in which a steam boiler, together with its fittings and attachments, is to be examined after any such repairs as may be specified in the regulations; and where such repairs are carried out to a steam boiler after it has been examined under subsection (2) of this section, then, notwithstanding that the period prescribed under that subsection has not expired, the steam boiler shall not be used in any factory until the examination prescribed under this subsection has been made. (4) A report of the result of every examination under this section in the prescribed form and containing the prescribed particulars (including the maximum permissible working pressure) shall as soon as practicable and in any case within twenty-eight days, or such other period as the Minister may by special regulations prescribe, after the completion of the examination, be entered in or attached to the general register, and the report shall be signed by the person making the examination, and if that person is an inspector of a boiler-inspecting company or association, countersigned by the chief engineer of the company or association or by such other responsible officer of the company or association as may be authorised in writing in that behalf by the chief engineer. (5) No new steam boiler shall be taken into use unless there has been obtained from the manufacturer of the boiler, or from a boiler-inspecting company or association, a certificate specifying its maximum permissible working pressure, and stating the nature of the tests to which the boiler and fittings have been submitted, and the certificate is kept available for inspection, and the boiler is so marked as to enable it to be identified as the boiler to which the certificate relates. (6) Where the report of any examination under this section specifies conditions for securing the safe working of a steam boiler, the boiler shall not be used except in accordance with those conditions. (7) The person making the report of an examination under this section or, in the case of a boiler-inspecting company or association, the chief engineer thereof, shall within twenty-eight days, or such other period as the Minister may by special regulations prescribe, after the completion of the examination send to the inspector for the district a copy of the report in every case where the maximum permissible working pressure is reduced, or the examination shows that the boiler cannot continue to be used with safety unless certain repairs are carried out immediately or within a specified time. (8) If the person employed to make any such examination fails to make a thorough examination as required by this section or makes a report which is false or deficient in any material particular, or if the chief engineer of any boiler-inspecting company or association permits any such report to be made, he shall be guilty of an offence . . . , and if any such person or chief engineer fails to send to the inspector for the district a copy of any report as required by subsection (7) of this section, he shall be guilty of an offence. (9) If the chief inspector is not satisfied as to the competency of the person employed to make the examination or as to the thoroughness of the examination, he may require the boiler to be re-examined by a person nominated by him, and the occupier shall give the necessary facilities for the re-examination. (10) If as a result of the re-examination it appears that the report of the examination was inadequate or inaccurate in any material particular, the cost of the re-examination shall be recoverable from the occupier, and the report of the re-examination purporting to be signed by the person making it shall be admissible in evidence of the facts stated therein. (11) Any sum recoverable under subsection (10) of this section shall, in England and Wales, be recoverable summarily as a civil debt.
Propose a change34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Propose a change35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Propose a change36 Air receivers.
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Propose a change37 .
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Propose a change38 .
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Propose a change39 Precautions as respects water-sealed gasholders.
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Propose a change