Cleanliness

Every factory shall be kept in a clean state, and free from effluvia arising from any drain or sanitary convenience, and, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing provision– (a) accumulations of dirt and refuse shall be removed daily from the floors and benches of washrooms, and from the staircases and passages; (b) the floor of every washroom shall be cleaned at least once in every week by washing or, if it is effective and suitable, by sweeping or other method; (c) all inside walls and partitions, and all ceilings or top of rooms, and all walls, sides and tops of passages and staircases shall– (i) where they have a smooth impervious surface, at least once in every period of 18 Factories twelve months be washed with hot water and soap; (ii) where they are kept painted with oil paint or varnished, be repainted or revarnished at least once in every period of seven years and at least once in every period of twelve months be washed with hot water and soap; (iii) in other cases, be kept whitewashed or colour washed, and the white washing or colour washing shall be repeated at least once in every period of twelve months, provided that where it appears to the Chief Factory Inspector that any of the foregoing provisions are by reason of special circumstances inappropriate in any factory, he may, if he thinks fit direct that these provisions shall not apply. Over-crowding.