# The Factories Act, 1948, Section 2: Interpretation

- Act: The Factories Act, 1948 (Act 63 of 1948)
- Source URL: https://indiacode.ecourtsindia.com/factories-act-1948-bihar/section/2/

## Text

In this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context,- (a) "adult" means a person who has completed his eighteenth year of age; (b) "adolescent" means a person who has completed his fifteenth year of age but has not completed his eighteenth year; 4[(bb) "calendar year" means the period of twelve months beginning with the first day of January in any year;] (c) "child" means a person who has not completed his fifteenth year of age; 5[(ca) "competent person", in relation to any provision of this Act, means a person or an institution recognised as such by the Chief Inspector for the purposes of carrying out tests, examinations and inspection required to be done in a factory under the provisions of this Act having regard to- (i) the qualifications and experience of the person and facilities available at his disposal; or (ii) the qualifications and experience of the persons employed in such institution and facilities available therein, with regard to the conduct of such tests, examinations and inspections, and more than one person or institution can be recognised as a competent person in relation to a factory; (cb) "hazardous process" means any process or activity in relation to an industry specified in the First Schedule where, unless special care is taken, raw materials used therein or the intermediate or finished products, bye-products, wastes or effluents thereof would- (i) cause material impairment to the health of the persons engaged in or connected therewith, or (ii) result in the pollution or the general environment: Provided that the State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, amend the First Schedule by way of addition, omission or variation of any industry specified in the said Schedule; (d) "young person" means a person who is either a child or an adolescent; 1. The Act has been extended to Dadra and Nagar Haveli by Reg. 6 of 1963, s. 2 and the First Schedule; Pondicherry by Reg. 7 of 1963, s. 3 and the First Schedule, Goa, Daman and Diu by Reg. 11 of 1963, s. 3 and the Schedule and Laccadive, Minicoy and Amindivi Islands by Reg. 8 of 1965, s. 3 and the Schedule.

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