New factories; applications for permits to erect

(1) From and after the coming into operation of this Act, every person who intends to erect or to cause to be erected a new factory, or any new building appurtenant to a factory, shall, before commencing the erection thereof, apply in writing to the Chief Factory Inspector for a permit to erect such new factory or building, and shall with such application furnish to the Chief Factory Inspector, (a) drawings showing the elevation, sections and plans of each floor of the factory or building, drawn to such scale as the Chief Factory Inspector may from time to time require, and showing further the position, form, materials and dimensions of the several parts of the factory or building and of every dwelling house, closet or latrine, store or other place intended to be used in connection with the factory or building, and the position, form, arrangement and dimensions of any machinery intended to be placed therein; and (b) a block plan, drawn to such scale as the Chief Factory Inspector may require, showing the position of all buildings and appurtenances which it is proposed to erect within the curtilage of the factory, or which are already in existence, or which are intended to be used or occupied in connection with the factory; and (c) such other information in writing as the Chief Factory Inspector in any case may require. (2) Within thirty days of the receipt of any application for a permit under subsection (1) of this section, the Chief Factory Inspector shall notify the applicant in writing either that the application has been granted, subject to payment of the prescribed fees, or that it will not be granted until the applicant has fulfilled the specified requirements of the Chief Factory Inspector as to the design and dimensions of the proposed factory or building, and the materials and safety devices to be used in the construction thereof, Provided that the Chief Factory Inspector in any case may refuse unconditionally to grant such permit upon specifying the grounds of refusal. (3) In any case where the Chief Factory Inspector fails within thirty days of the receipt of any application for a permit either to grant or to refuse such permit, whether conditionally or unconditionally, he shall be deemed to have granted the permit unconditionally. (4) Any person who is aggrieved by the refusal of the Chief Factory Inspector to grant a permit, or by any condition attached by him to the grant of a permit, in accordance with the provisions of subsection (2) of this section, may within thirty days of the notice of refusal under this section, notify the Chairperson of the Board in writing of his intention to appeal to the Board, and of the grounds of such appeal. (5) On receipt of any notice of appeal as provided for by subsection (4) of this section, the Chairperson shall appoint a day and place for the hearing of the appeal, and shall notify the members of the Board, the party aggrieved and the Chief Factory Inspector of the day and place so appointed. (6) On the hearing of the appeal, the Board may either grant the permit, whether unconditionally or upon conditions, or may refuse to grant the permit, and the Board may make such order for the payment of the costs of the appeal as it may in its discretion deem fit. (7) Any person who erects or who causes to be erected any new factory without having first obtained a permit from the Chief Factory Inspector, or from the Board, in accordance with the provisions of subsection (2) or subsection (6) of this section, commits an offence, and is on summary conviction liable to a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months.