VPRS 10150 Factory Plans Standards

The Department of Labour and Industry was responsible for the regulation of conditions of employment within Victoria including the regulation and supervision of industrial safety, health and welfare within places of employment. In order for the regulation and supervision of industrial safety, health and welfare to be facilitated, the department ensured that factories and shops complied with health and safety criteria - including building and construction standards as specified within the Act.Section 50 of the Labour and Industry Act 1958 requires that the Chief Inspector of Factories approve any construction relating to factories or shops (including new construction, alterations, or additions) before said construction takes place. This is to ensure that the proposed construction complies with health and safety requirements, as well as municipal by-laws. This series contains the following information:- design plans and specifications for factory constructions and alterations approved by the Department- name of premises- location of premises- nature of work conducted at premises- address of proprietor- name of architect- date approved (by Department).This series allowed the Department to maintain a record of factory construction specifications approved under the Act. It was a valuable reference tool in the management of the registration of factories, and provided evidence of the specifications that were approved by the Department.Factory proprietors were also required to complete separate registration forms when they first occupied a newly constructed factory, or a factory that had previously been used for other purposes. These registration papers can be found in VPRS 1399 Factory Registration Papers up until 1973.