VPRS 1399 Factory Registration Papers

The series consists of Notifications from occupiers of factories forwarded to the Secretary, Department of Labour, in accordance with Section 49 of the Factories and Shops Act 1885, and subsequent amendments. After 1958, requirements relating to these Notifications were specified by the Labour and Industry Act 1958.To be granted registration (approval to operate as a factory) occupants were required to provide details relating to the factory premises, the nature of the work to be undertaken, and the people to be employed therein.Details in these records include:* materials used in construction of the building* means of escape in case of fire* number of closets and toilets* number of workrooms (including dimensions and fit-out details)* number of persons employed in each workroom* number of persons employed* number of males and females employed* nature of the work to be carried out* particulars of any mechanical power to be used* full name of individual or company occupying premises* the address of the premises* initial and ongoing registration payments made by successful applicantsOnce these details were submitted, a Factory Inspector visited the premises to check the accuracy of the notification and whether the premises satisfied the requirements of the Act. If everything was in order, registration would be granted upon payment of a registration fee. The record of inspection and payment were recorded on the notification.If applications did not meet requirements under the Act, then registration was denied. Applicants had 1 month to appeal this decision.The series furnished the raw data from which the Chief Inspector/Secretary was required to produce statistical or summary data on an annual basis concerning the registration function and the premises being registered [Section 13 Factories and Shops Act 1885, Section 17 Labour and Industry Act 1958]The series was originally registered as Section 49 Factory Registration Papers, to indicate the section within the Acts that established registration requirements.When a factory was being constructed or renovated, occupants were required to submit plans to the Department. For factories constructed or renovated after 1965, these plans can be found in VPRS 10150 Factory Plans Standards.