Section 60 of the Factories Act 1948 - Restriction on Double Employment
Section 60 of the Factories Act, 1948 prohibited an adult worker from being required or allowed to work in a factory on a day on which the worker had already worked in another factory, except in prescribed circumstances. The provision is important historically, but the current central law is now Section 30 of the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020.
Historical text of Section 60 of the Factories Act 1948
No adult worker shall be required or allowed to work in any factory on any day on which he has already been working in any other factory, save in such circumstances as may be prescribed.
Meaning of the former Section 60
The former provision applied to an adult worker and placed the restriction on both requiring and allowing double employment. In practical terms, a factory could not ordinarily employ an adult worker on a day when that worker had already worked in another factory. The statutory exception depended on circumstances prescribed under the applicable rules.
Current law: Section 30 of the OSHWC Code 2020
The corresponding current provision is Section 30 of the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020, titled "Restriction on double employment in factory and mine". It provides that a worker cannot be required or allowed to work in a mine or factory if the worker has already been working in another similar establishment within the preceding twelve hours, except in circumstances prescribed by the appropriate Government.
The current provision changes the formulation from the former same-day restriction to a specific preceding twelve-hour period and expressly covers factories and mines. Any prescribed exception must be checked under the rules applicable to the establishment and the appropriate Government.
What changed from Section 60 to Section 30?
The old Factories Act provision referred to an adult worker working in another factory on the same day. Section 30 of the OSHWC Code uses the broader term "worker", covers a mine or factory, and applies where the worker has already worked in another similar establishment within the preceding twelve hours. This makes the current time-based restriction important when planning shifts or engaging a worker who has recently worked elsewhere.
Compliance point for employers and workers
Factories and mines should check work schedules and records so that a worker is not required or allowed to work contrary to Section 30. Because the provision permits exceptions in circumstances prescribed by the appropriate Government, compliance should also be checked against the current Central or State rules and notifications applicable to the particular establishment.
Official legal resources
India Code provides official Central legislation. The Ministry of Labour and Employment - OSH Code 2020 page provides Government material concerning the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020.
Last reviewed: 26 September 2026. Statutory provisions and rules may be amended or supplemented by notifications. Verify the law applicable to the relevant date, establishment and State.