Section 24 Factories Act 1948 - Striking Gear and Power Cut-Off Devices
Section 24 of the Factories Act, 1948 prescribed machinery-safety requirements for moving driving belts, emergency power cut-off devices, and arrangements to prevent accidental restarting of machinery. The provision is retained below for historical and legal-reference purposes.
Section 24, Factories Act, 1948.
Machinery power transmission and emergency power isolation.
21 November 2025.
OSHWC Code, 2020 and applicable rules, standards and State provisions.
What Section 24 required
The provision addressed three connected safety controls. First, suitable striking gear or another efficient mechanical appliance had to be provided, maintained and used for moving driving belts between fast and loose pulleys. Second, factories had to provide and maintain suitable devices for cutting off power from running machinery in emergencies. Third, where a power cut-off device could inadvertently move from the "off" position to the "on" position, arrangements had to be provided for locking it in a safe position so that machinery could not start accidentally.
Text of Section 24 of the Factories Act, 1948
24. Striking gear and devices for cutting off power.
(1) In every factory--
(a) suitable striking gear or other efficient mechanical appliance shall be provided and maintained and used to move driving belts to and from fast and loose pulleys which form part of the transmission machinery, and such gear or appliances shall be so constructed, placed and maintained as to prevent the belt from creeping back on to the fast pulley;
(b) driving belts when not in use shall not be allowed to rest or ride upon shafting in motion.
(2) In every factory suitable devices for cutting off power in emergencies from running machinery shall be provided and maintained in every work-room:
Provided that in respect of factories in operation before the commencement of this Act, the provisions of this sub-section shall apply only to work-rooms in which electricity is used as power.
(3) When a device, which can inadvertently shift from "off" to "on" position, is provided in a factory to cut off power, arrangements shall be provided for locking the device in safe position to prevent accidental starting of the transmission machinery or other machines to which the device is fitted.
Amendment note: Sub-section (3) was inserted by Act 94 of 1976, section 12, with effect from 26 October 1976.
Meaning and practical effect of the former provision
1. Striking gear for driving belts
The expression "striking gear" referred to a mechanical arrangement used to shift a driving belt safely between fast and loose pulleys forming part of transmission machinery. The statutory requirement was directed at avoiding unsafe manual handling of belts and preventing a shifted belt from creeping back onto the fast pulley.
2. Driving belts not in use
When a driving belt was not in use, it could not be left resting or riding on moving shafting. This reduced the risk of unintended engagement, entanglement, damage, and other hazards associated with moving transmission equipment.
3. Emergency power cut-off
Sub-section (2) required suitable devices capable of cutting off power from running machinery in an emergency. The provision focused on the availability and maintenance of a practical means to stop powered machinery promptly when danger arose.
4. Locking against accidental restart
Sub-section (3) addressed a device that could inadvertently shift from "off" to "on". In such a case, the device had to be capable of being locked in a safe position to prevent accidental starting of transmission machinery or other connected machines.
Current law after repeal of the Factories Act, 1948
The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 came into force on 21 November 2025. Section 143(1)(a) repealed the Factories Act, 1948, subject to the savings contained in section 143. Accordingly, Section 24 should now be cited as a repealed historical provision when discussing events or compliance under the former Factories Act regime.
Under the present Code, section 18 deals with occupational safety and health standards. Section 18(2)(f) covers standards for factories and other specified establishments on matters listed in the Second Schedule. Item 4 of that Schedule expressly identifies "striking gear and devices for cutting off power". Employers must also consider the duties imposed by the Code, applicable Central or State rules, notified standards, and any legally continuing provisions preserved by the repeal-and-savings framework.