Rule 23: Ventilation, temperature and humidity

Finin2min analysis — operative rule mechanics

Full notified text — Rule 23

23. Ventilation, temperature and humidity.- Employer of every factory shall ensure that:-

     (i)    suitable atmospheric conditions are maintained in workplaces, by natural or artificial means, to
            avoid insufficient air supply, stagnant or vitiated air, harmful draughts, excessive heat or cold,
            sudden variations in temperature, and where practicable, having regard to the nature of the
            processes carried on, to avoid excessive humidity or dryness, and objectionable odours;

      (ii)     steps are taken as are necessary to provide at all workplaces of the factory, adequate ventilation
               to clear away smoke and fume, steam and dust, to dilute gases that are inflammable or noxious so
               as to render them harmless;
      (iii) adequate and sufficient measures are taken to protect the employees from exposing to extreme
               weather conditions by suitably changing the working hours, providing protective clothes or other
               suitable provisions, as necessary free of charge;
      (iv) where an adequate supply of fresh air cannot be obtained by natural ventilation or where it is
               difficult to get the desired amount of air to the workroom without creating uncomfortable draughts
               near the inlets, mechanical ventilation is provided;
      (v)      where local heating apparatus, as may be necessary owing to the nature of work, are installed in
               workrooms, the layout of the apparatus in the room shall be such that combustion gases are
               prevented from entering the atmosphere of the room;
      (vi) temperature suitable for the type of work performed is maintained in workrooms and the degree
               of humidity be maintained for comfort of the workers;
      (vii) where owing to the nature of work, excessive high temperatures are generated, all employees shall
               be protected, either by heat insulation of the equipment or by other suitable means, against heat
               radiation and excessive temperature generated due to steam or hot-water pipes or other hot
               surfaces.

Application and evidence

1. Primary statutory test — Employer of every factory shall ensure that:- (i) suitable atmospheric conditions are maintained in workplaces, by natural or artificial means, to avoid insufficient air supply, stagnant or vitiated air, harmful draughts, excessive heat or cold, sudden variations in temperature, and where practicable, having regard to the nature of the processes carried on, to avoid excessive humidity or dryness, and…
2. Additional operative limb — (v) where local heating apparatus, as may be necessary owing to the nature of work, are installed in workrooms, the layout of the apparatus in the room shall be such that combustion gases are prevented from entering the atmosphere of the room;
3. Numerical or timing control — (iii) adequate and sufficient measures are taken to protect the employees from exposing to extreme weather conditions by suitably changing the working hours, providing protective clothes or other suitable provisions, as necessary free of charge;
4. Code Section mapping — 23. Read the mapped provision together with this text rather than treating the concordance as a substitute for it.
5. Evidence file — retain facts and records proving the role/status of: Employer, Employee / worker, Worker.

Cross-references & prescribed forms

Worked example

Q&A — Rule 23

Primary sources