Factories and Machinery 1

LAWS OF MALAYSIA
REPRINT

Act 139

FACTORIES AND MACHINERY

ACT 1967
Incorporating all amendments up to 1 January 2006

PUBLISHED BY
THE COMMISSIONER OF LAW REVISION, MALAYSIA
UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THE REVISION OF LAWS ACT 1968
IN COLLABORATION WITH
PERCETAKAN NASIONAL MALAYSIA BHD
2006
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FACTORIES AND MACHINERY ACT 1967

First enacted … ... ... ... ... … 1967 (Act No. 64 of

1967)

Revised … … … … … ... … 1974 (Act 139 w.e.f.

1 July 1974)

English text to be authoritative … P.U. 31/1968

PREVIOUS REPRINTS

First Reprint ... ... ... ... ... 1977

Second Reprint ... ... ... ... ... 2000
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LAWS OF MALAYSIA

Act 139

FACTORIES AND MACHINERY ACT 1967

ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS

PART I

PRELIMINARY

Section
1. Short title
2. Interpretation of “factory”
3. Interpretation: general
4. Appointment of officers
5. Supervision of officers
6. Officers are public servants
7. Powers of an Inspector
8. Obstruction an offence
9. Persons not to reveal secrets

PART II

SAFETY, HEALTH AND WELFARE

10. Provisions relating to safety, etc.

11. Persons exposed to explosive, inflammable, etc., substances
12. Lifting of weights
13. Provisions against fire
14. Construction of machinery
15. Dangerous parts of machinery
16. Projecting material
17. Machinery for hire or sale must comply with regulations
18. Machinery manufactured or repaired must comply with regulations
19. Certificate of fitness
4 Laws of Malaysia ACT 139
Section
20. Duties of persons employed
21. Duties of occupier
22. Provisions relating to health
23. Exposure to elements
24. Personal protective clothing and appliances
25. Provisions relating to welfare

PART III

PERSON IN CHARGE AND CERTIFICATES OF

COMPETENCY

26. Training and supervision of inexperienced workers

27. Chief Inspector may make orders in circumstances
28. Young persons
29. Certain machinery not to be operated without certificated staff
30. Panel of Examiners and Board of Appeal

PART IV

NOTIFICATION OF ACCIDENT, DANGEROUS

OCCURENCE AND DANGEROUS DISEASES

31. Accidents and dangerous occurrence to be reported

32. Notification of industrial diseases
33. Investigation and enquiries

PART V

NOTICE OF OCCUPATION OF FACTORY, AND

REGISTRATION AND USE OF MACHINERY

34. Operation of factory

35. Building operations or works of engineering construction
36. Installation of machinery, etc.
37. Application for registration
38. Register
39. Moving or alteration of or addition to machinery to be approved
40. Periodical inspections
41. Questions for decision by an Inspector and appeals from such decision
42. Report of changes, etc.
 Factories and Machinery 5
Section
43. Machinery or factory no longer in use
44. Notice of sale, hire or transfer
45. Copy of report of enquiry may be supplied
46. Powers of the Chief Inspector and Senior Inspectors at enquiries

PART VI

GENERAL

47. Criminal or civil liability unaffected

48. Fees
49. Chief Inspector’s powers
50. Offences
51. Penalties
52. Prosecutions
52A. Power to compound
53. Power to modify agreements
54. Power to apportion expenses
55. Exemptions
56. Regulations
57. Medical supervision
58. Repeal
59. Amendment of Schedule
FIRST SCHEDULE
SECOND SCHEDULE
THIRD S CHEDULE
6 Laws of Malaysia ACT 139
 Factories and Machinery 7
LAWS OF MALAYSIA

Act 139

FACTORIES AND MACHINERY ACT 1967

An Act to provide for the control of factories with respect to

matters relating to the safety, health and welfare of person therein,
the registration and inspection of machinery and for matters connected
therewith.

[1 February 1970, P.U. (B) 5/1970]

PART I

PRELIMINARY

Short title
1. (1) This Act may be cited as the Factories and Machinery
Act 1967.

(2) (Omitted).

(3) The Minister may by order suspend* the operation of the

whole or any of the provisions of this Act in any State and may
at any time thereafter remove the suspension.

Interpretation of “factory”
2. (1) In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires, “factory”
means any premises or part of a premises where—
(a) within the close or curtilage or precincts of the premises
or part thereof persons are employed in manual labour
in any process for or connected with or incidental to the
making, altering, repairing, ornamenting, sorting, finishing,
cleaning, washing, breaking, demolishing, constructing,
reconstructing, fitting, refitting, adjusting or adapting of
any article or part thereof; and
*NOTE—Operation of this Act in Sabah and Sarawak suspended—see [P.U. (B) 6/1970]. Suspension
removed in respect of Sabah and Sarawak w.e.f. 1 July 1980—see [P.U. (B) 321/1980].
8 Laws of Malaysia ACT 139

(b) the said work is carried on by way of trade for the purposes
of gain or incidentally to any business so carried on,

and (whether or not they are factories by reason of the foregoing

definition) the expression factory also includes the following premises
in which persons are employed in manual labour:
(i) any yard or dry dock (including the precincts thereof) in
which ships or vessels are constructed, reconstructed,
repaired, refitted, finished or broken up;
(ii) any premises in which the business of washing or filling
bottles or containers or packing articles is carried on
incidentally to the purposes of any factory;
(iii) any premises in which the business of hooking, plaiting,
lapping, making-up or packing of yarn or cloth is carried
on;
(iv) any laundry carried on as ancillary to another business
or incidentally to the purposes of any public institution;
(v) any premises in which the construction, reconstruction,
or repair of locomotives, vehicles or other plant for use
for transport purposes is carried on ancillary to a transport
undertaking or other industrial or commercial undertaking;
(vi) any premises in which printing by letter press, lithography,
photogravure, or other similar process, or bookbinding is
carried on by way of trade or for purposes of gain or
incidentally to another business so carried on;
(vii) any premises in which the production of cinematograph
films is carried on by way of trade or for purposes of
gain;
(viii) any premises in which manual labour is employed and
mechanical power is used in connection with the making
or repair of any article of metal or wood incidentally to
any business carried on by way of trade or for purposes
of gain;
(ix) any premises used for the storage of gas in a gas-holder
having a storage capacity of not less than five thousand
cubic feet;
(x) any premises, place or space where any building operations
or works of engineering construction are carried out; and
 Factories and Machinery 9
(xi) any premises belonging to or in the occupation of the
Federal Government or the Government of any State or
of any local authority or other public authority which
would be a factory within the meaning of this Act but for
paragraph (b),

but does not include—

(i) any premises used for the purposes of housing locomotives
or vehicles where only cleaning, washing, running repairs
or minor adjustments are carried out; or
(ii) any premises where five or less persons carry on any
work in which machinery is not used notwithstanding
that the premises by virtue of would constitute a factory
within the meaning of this section.

(2) Any line or siding which is used in connection with and for
the purposes of a factory, shall be deemed to be part of the factory.

Interpretation: general
3. In this Act unless the context otherwise requires—

“article” means any solid, liquid or gas or any combination

thereof, and also includes electricity;

“bodily injury” includes injury to health;

“building operation” means the construction, structural alteration,

repair or maintenance of a building (including repointing, re-
decoration and external cleaning of the structure), the demolition
of a building, and the preparation for and the laying of the foundation
of an intended building, but does not include any operation which
is the work of engineering construction within the meaning of this
Act;

“certificate of competency” means a certificate granted under

this Act by the Chief Inspector certifying that the holder is duly
qualified to be in charge of machinery to which the certificate of
competency relates;

“certificate of fitness” means a certificate granted under this Act

certifying that the machinery described therein has been inspected,
and at the time of the inspection has satisfied the requirements of
this Act and that it may be worked or operated;
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“Chief Inspector”, “Deputy Chief Inspector”, “Senior Inspector”

and “Inspector” mean respectively the Chief Inspector of Factories
and Machinery, a Deputy Chief Inspector of Factories and Machinery,
a Senior Inspector of Factories and Machinery and an Inspector
of Factories and Machinery appointed under section 4;

“dangerous occurrence” means any occurrence in any of the

classes listed in the First Schedule;

“dredge” means any floating structure used for the winning of

tin ore, for the dredging of rivers and waterways or for purposes
of land reclamation, and includes the bucket type dredge and the
cutter-suction type dredge,

“dredgemaster” means a person who holds a dredgemaster’s

certificate of competency issued under section 30;

“driven machinery” includes any machine or appliance where

motion is received from transmission machinery;

“driver” means a person who holds an engine driver’s certificate

of competency issued under section 30;

“engineer” means a person who holds an engineer’s certificate

of competency issued under section 30;

“fence” means any form of protective device designed to prevent

serious bodily injury or bodily injury to any person and includes
a guard and a guard rail;

“fume” includes gas or vapour;

“gas cylinder” means a steel cylinder or bottle used for the

storage and transport of compressed, dissolved or liquefied gases;

“gas holder” means any bell-shaped structure floating in a tank

of water, in which gas is collected for distribution;

“guard” means a suitably supported substantially constructed

solid or mesh enclosure (either complete or partial) of metal or
other material;

“guard rail” means a railing of metal or wood, supported by

stanchions, of strength and good construction;
 Factories and Machinery 11
“hoist” means a lifting machine other than a lift whether worked
by mechanical power or not with a carriage platform or cage the
direction of movement of which is restricted by a guide or guides;

“hoisting machine” means a lift, escalator, hoist, crane, sheer

legs, gin, crab, winch, excavator, teagle, runway, transporter or
piling frame and allied equipment;

“hoisting tackle” includes a chain or rope sling, ring, link, hook,

shackle, swivel, eyebolt, chain, rope, pulley block and chain block;

“Inspector” includes the Chief Inspector, Deputy Chief Inspector

and a Senior Inspector appointed under section 4;

“lift” means an appliance designed to transport passengers or

goods or both between two or more levels in a vertical direction
by means of a guided lift car or platform in which the motion of
the lift car or platform is obtained through an electric motor coupled
to the lifting element, and includes the machinery, suspension
ropes, hydraulic rams, supports and enclosures required in connection
therewith, and includes electric or hydraulic lifts and paternoster
or continuous lift, but does not include mine cages as used in
underground mines;

“machinery” includes steam boilers, unfired pressure vessels,

prime movers, gas cylinders, gas holders, hoisting machines and
tackle, transmission machinery, driven machinery, and any equipment
for the casting, welding or electro-deposition of metals and for the
spraying by means of compressed gas or air of metals or other
materials, but does not include—
(a) any machinery used for the propulsion of vehicles other
than steam boilers or steam engines;
(b) any machinery driven by manual power other than hoisting
machines;
(c) any machinery used solely for private and domestic
purposes; or
(d) office machines;

“maintain” means maintain in an efficient state, in efficient

working order and in good repair;
12 Laws of Malaysia ACT 139

“nuisance” means any act, omission or thing occasioning or

likely to occasion injury, annoyance, offence, harm, danger or
damage to the sense of sight, smell or hearing, or which is or is
likely to be injurious or dangerous to health or property;

“occupier” in relation to a factory means a person who occupies

or uses any premises as a factory;

“office machines” means machines commonly used in the exercise

of clerical and associated functions and includes electrical typewriters,
calculating and accounting machines and computers;

“operator” includes any person employed on any service involving

the management or operation of, or attendance on, any machinery;

“owner” means the person for the time being receiving the rents
or profits of the premises or machinery in connection with which
the word is used, whether on his own account or as an agent or
trustee for any other person or who would so receive the same if
the premises or machinery were leased;

“Panel” means the Panel of Examiners appointed under section

30;

“premises” includes any building, place, or floating structure;

“prime mover” means every engine, motor or other appliance

which provides mechanical energy derived from air, steam, water,
wind, electricity, the combustion of fuel or other source;

“prescribed” means prescribed by the Minister by regulation

made under this Act;

“sanitary conveniences” includes urinals, water-closets, earth-

closets, ashpits and any similar convenience;

“serious bodily injury” means any injury listed in the Second

Schedule;

“steam boiler” means any closed vessel in which for any purpose
steam is generated under pressure greater than atmospheric pressure,
and includes any economiser used to heat water being fed to the
vessel, and any superheater used for heating steam, and any pipes
and fittings connected thereto;
 Factories and Machinery 13
“transmission machinery” means every shaft, wheel, drum, pulley,
system of fast and loose pulleys, coupling, clutch, driving belt or
other device by which the motion of a prime mover or other source
of mechanical power is transmitted to or received by any machine
or appliance;

“underground room” means any room which, or any part of

which is so situate that at least half its height measured from the
floor to the ceiling, is below the surface of the ground adjoining
the room;

“unfired pressure vessel” means any enclosed vessel under pressure

greater than atmospheric pressure by any gas or mixture or
combination of gases and includes any vessel under pressure of
steam external to the steam boiler and any vessel which is under
pressure of a liquid or gas or both, and any vessel subject internally
to a pressure less than atmospheric pressure but does not include
gas cylinders;

“work of engineering construction” means the construction of

any railway line or siding, and the construction, structural alteration
or repair (including repointing and repainting) or the demolition
of any dock, harbour, inland navigation, tunnel, bridge, viaduct,
waterworks or gas holder, and shall include such other works as
may be specified by the Minister by order;

“working floor area” means the area covered by the premises

and all the precincts, curtilage and yard of the factory as derived
from the plan or sketch submitted at the time of notification,
including all floor areas above and below ground level:

Provided that catwalks, ladders, and other such means of access

to machinery shall not be considered when calculating working
floor area;

“young person” means any person who has not completed his
sixteenth year of age.

Appointment of officers

4. (1) There shall be appointed an officer to be styled the Chief

Inspector of Factories and Machinery and such number of Deputy
Chief Inspectors of Factories and Machinery, Senior Inspectors of
Factories and Machinery and Machinery and Inspectors of Factories
and Machinery as may be necessary for the purposes of this Act.
14 Laws of Malaysia ACT 139

(2) There shall be appointed such other officers as may be

expedient for the performance of such duties as may be prescribed
under this Act.

Supervision of officers

5. (1) All Deputy Chief Inspectors, Senior Inspectors and Inspectors

and all officers appointed under subsection 4 (2) shall be subject
to the direction and supervision of the Chief Inspector.

(2) A Senior Inspector shall have and may exercise all powers
vested by this Act in an Inspector and the Chief Inspector and a
Deputy Chief Inspector shall have and may exercise all such powers
vested in a Senior Inspector or an Inspector.

Officers are public servants

6. All officers appointed under section 4 shall be deemed to be

public servants within the meaning of the Penal Code [Act 574].

Powers of an Inspector

7. (1) An Inspector shall, for carrying the purposes of this Act

into effect, have powers to do all or any of the following:
(a) to enter, inspect and examine, by day or by night any
factory, and every part thereof when he has reasonable
cause to believe that any work or process is being carried
on therein, and to enter, inspect and examine by day, any
place which he has reasonable cause to believe to be a
factory and any part of any building of which a factory
forms part and in which he has reasonable cause to believe
that explosive or highly inflammable materials are stored
or used and to exercise such powers as may be necessary
to inspect and examine any machinery, plant, appliance
or fitting therein;
(b) to require the production of factory records, certificates,
notices and documents kept in pursuance of this Act and
to inspect, examine and copy any of them;
(c) to make such examination and enquiry as may be necessary
to ascertain whether the provisions of this Act are complied
with, so far as regards a factory or any persons employed
therein;
 Factories and Machinery 15
(d) to require any person whom he finds in a factory to give
such information as it is in his power to give as to who
is the owner of the factory;
(e) in the case of an Inspector who is a registered medical
practitioner, to carry out such medical examination as
may be necessary for the purpose of his duties under this
Act;
(f) to take samples of any material whether solid, liquid,
gaseous or vaporous being discharged in or from a factory;
and
(g) to render inoperative in accordance with this Act, any
machinery which does not comply with this Act, by affixing
a seal or by any other means which he may deem best
suited to the purpose.

(2) On being required by an Inspector, the occupier of every

factory shall furnish the means necessary for entry, inspection,
examination, inquiry, the taking of samples, or otherwise for the
exercise of his powers under this Act in relation to that factory.

(3) An Inspector seeking to enter any premises under the powers

conferred upon him by subsection (1) shall produce on demand,
an official identification card in such form as may be prescribed,
and no person shall be obliged to admit to his premises any person
purporting to be an Inspector except on production of such an
identification card.

Obstruction an offence

8. Any person who—

(a) wilfully delays an Inspector in the exercise of any power
under this Act;
(b) fails to comply with any order lawfully given by an
Inspector in the exercise of any power under this Act; or
(c) wilfully withholds any information as to who is the occupier
or owner of any factory or machinery or conceals or
prevents or attempts to conceal or prevent a person from
appearing before or being examined by an Inspector, or
in any manner whatsoever obstructs an Inspector,
shall be guilty of an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to
a fine not exceeding five thousand ringgit or to imprisonment for
a term not exceeding two years or to both.
16 Laws of Malaysia ACT 139

Persons not to reveal secrets

9. Any person who otherwise than in the performance of his

duties reveals any manufacturing or commercial secret which may
at any time come to his knowledge in the exercise of any power
or the performance of any duty under this Act shall be guilty of
an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding
five thousand ringgit or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding
two years or to both.

PART II

SAFETY, HEALTH AND WELFARE

Provisions relating to safety, etc.

10. Without prejudice to any law with respect to local authorities,

in respect of any factory, the following provisions relating to
safety shall apply:
(a) foundations and floors shall be of sufficient strength to
sustain the loads for which they are designed; and no
foundation or floor shall be overloaded;
(b) roofs shall be of sufficient strength to carry where necessary
suspended loads;
(c) all floors, working levels, platforms, decks, stairways,
passages, gangways, ladders and steps shall be of safe
construction so as to prevent a risk of persons falling,
and structurally sound so as to prevent a risk of collapse,
and shall be properly maintained and kept, as far as
reasonably practicable, free from any loose material and
in a non-slippery condition;
(d) such means as are reasonably practicable shall be provided,
maintained, and used so as to ensure safe access to any
place at which any person has at any time to work;
(e) every opening, sump, pit or fixed vessel in a floor, or
working level shall be securely covered or securely fenced
so as to prevent risk of persons falling; and
 Factories and Machinery 17
(f) all goods, articles and substances which are stored or
stacked shall be so placed or stacked—
(a) in such manner as will best ensure stability and
prevent any collapse of the goods, articles or
substances or their supports; and
(b) in such a manner as not to interfere with the adequate
distribution of light, adequate ventilation, proper
operation of machinery, the unobstructed use of
passageways or gangways and the efficient
functioning or use of fire-fighting equipment.

Persons exposed to explosive, inflammable, etc., substances

11. In every factory in which persons are exposed to risk of

bodily injury from explosive, inflammable, poisonous or corrosive
substances or ionising radiations, such measures as may be prescribed
shall be taken as will eliminate the risk.

Lifting of weights

12. No person shall be employed to lift, carry or move any load

so heavy as to be likely to cause bodily injury to him.

Provisions against fire

13. Without prejudice to any law with respect to local authorities,

in every factory there shall be taken such precautions against fire,
and there shall be provided and maintained, such means of escape
in case of fire other than means of exit in ordinary use, and such
means of extinguishing fire as may be prescribed.

Construction of machinery

14. All machinery and every part thereof including all fittings
and attachments shall be of sound construction and sound material
free from defect and suitable for the purpose and shall be properly
maintained.
18 Laws of Malaysia ACT 139

Dangerous parts of machinery

15. Every dangerous part of any machinery shall be securely

fenced unless it is in such a position or of such construction as
to be as safe to every person employed or working on or entering
into the premises as it would be if securely fenced:
Provided that so far as the safety of a dangerous part of any
machinery cannot by reason of the nature of the operation be
secured by means of a fixed guard the requirements of this section
shall be deemed to have been complied with if a device is provided
which automatically prevents the operator from coming or being
brought into contact with that part.

Projecting material

16. In respect of such machinery as may be prescribed, any part

of any material carried by that machinery while it is working
thereon which projects beyond any part of the machinery shall be
effectively fenced unless it is in such a position as to be safe to
any person employed or working on or entering into the premises.

Machinery for hire or sale must comply with regulations

17. No person shall sell or let on hire any machinery other than
transmission machinery which does not comply with any regulations
made under this Act applicable to the machinery.

Machinery manufactured or repaired must comply with

regulations

18. (1) No person shall manufacture, repair or instal machinery

in such a manner that it does not comply with the provisions of
this Act and any regulations made thereunder applicable to such
machinery.

(2) No person shall import any machinery other than transmission

machinery which does not comply with any regulations made
under this Act applicable to such machinery.
 Factories and Machinery 19

Certificate of fitness

19. (1) No person shall operate or cause or permit to be operated

any machinery in respect of which a certificate of fitness is prescribed,
unless there is in force in relation to the operation of the machinery
a valid certificate of fitness issued under this Act.

(2) In the case of any contravention of subsection (1) an Inspector

shall forthwith serve upon the person aforesaid a notice in writing
prohibiting the operation of the machinery or may render the
machinery inoperative until such time as a valid certificate of
fitness is issued.

(3) Certificates of fitness issued under this Act shall be in the

forms respectively prescribed, and shall be valid subject to this
Act, for such period as may be prescribed.

Duties of persons employed

20. (1) No person employed in any factory or in any place where

any machinery is installed shall wilfully interfere with or misuse
any means, appliance, convenience or other thing provided in
pursuance of this Act for securing the safety, health or welfare of
the persons employed in the factory or the place where the machinery
is installed; and when any means or appliance for securing safety,
health or welfare is provided for the use of the person under this
Act, he shall make use of such means or such appliance.

(2) No person employed in any factory or in any place where

any machinery is installed shall wilfully and without reasonable
cause act in any manner so as to cause or to be likely to cause
bodily injury to himself or other persons or damage to any machinery
or other property.

Duties of occupier

21. The occupier shall at all times maintain all safety appliances
and machinery.
20 Laws of Malaysia ACT 139
Provisions relating to health
22. (1) Without prejudice to any law relating to public health, in
respect of any factory the following provisions relating to health
of persons shall apply:
(a) every factory shall be kept in a clean state and free from
offensive effluvia arising from any drain, sanitary
convenience or other source and shall be cleaned at such
times and by such methods as may be prescribed and
these methods may include lime-washing or colour washing,
painting, varnishing, disinfecting or deodorising;
(b) the maximum number of persons employed at any one
time in any workroom in any factory shall be such that
the amount of cubic feet of space and the superficial feet
of floor area allowed in the workroom for each such
person are not less than the amount of cubic feet of space
and the superficial feet of floor area prescribed either
generally or for the particular class of work carried on
in the workroom;
(c) (i) effective and suitable provision shall be made for
securing and maintaining adequate ventilation by
the circulation of fresh air in every part of a factory
and for rendering harmless, so far as practicable, all
gases, fumes, dust and other impurities that may be
injurious to health arising in the course of any process
or work carried on in a factory;
(ii) the Minister may prescribe a standard of adequate
ventilation and the means by which the standard
may be achieved, for factories or for any class or
description of factory or parts thereof;
(d) (i) effective and suitable provision shall be made for
securing and maintaining such temperature as will
ensure to any person employed in a factory reasonable
conditions of comfort and prevention from bodily
injury;
(ii) the Minister may for factories or for any class of
factory or parts thereof prescribe a standard of
reasonable temperature and prohibit the use of any
methods of maintaining a reasonable temperature
which in his opinion are likely to be injurious to the
persons employed and direct that thermometers shall
be provided and maintained in such places and
positions as may be specified;
 Factories and Machinery 21
(e) (i) effective provision shall be made for securing and
maintaining sufficient and suitable lighting, whether
natural or artificial, in every part of a factory in
which persons are working or passing;
(ii) the Minister may prescribe a standard of sufficient
and suitable lighting for factories or for any class or
description of factory or parts thereof or for any
process; and
(f) sufficient and suitable sanitary conveniences as may be
prescribed , shall be provided and maintained for the use
of persons in a factory.

(2) (a) Whenever it appears to an Inspector that any process in

any factory is likely to affect adversely the health of any person
employed therein or the public he shall report the circumstances
in writing to the Chief Inspector who may thereupon carry out
such investigations as he may consider necessary.

(b) Where the Chief Inspector is satisfied—

(i) that such a process is likely to affect adversely the
health of any person employed in the factory or the
public; and
(ii) that the process can be modified or means provided
to reduce the possibility of injury to the health of
such person or the public as aforesaid,

he shall, after considering any representations made by the occupier

of the factory, order that the process be modified in such manner
or that such means be provided as he may direct to reduce the
possibility of injury to the health of that person or the public.

(c) Any person aggrieved by an order made under paragraph (b)

may within twenty-one days of the receipt thereof appeal to the
Minister who shall make such order thereon as he deems fit.

(d) Where the Chief Inspector is satisfied—

(i) that such a process is likely to affect adversely the
health of any person employed in the factory or the public;
and
22 Laws of Malaysia ACT 139

(ii) that the process cannot be modified or means provided

to reduce the possibility of injury to the health of such
person or the public as aforesaid,

he shall report the circumstances in writing to the Minister.

(e) The Minister may upon receipt of the report either—

(i) make such regulations controlling or prohibiting the use
of the process as he may consider reasonable; or
(ii) after considering any representations made by any person
likely to be affected thereby by writing under his hand
prohibit the carrying out of the process either absolutely
or conditionally or the use of any material or substance
in connection therewith.

(f) For the purpose of enabling any occupier of a factory or

other person to make representations in respect of a proposed
order or prohibition under paragraph (b) or (e) the Chief Inspector
or the Minister as the case may be, shall cause to be served on the
occupier or other person a notice specifying the period within
which such representations may be made and containing such
particulars as the Chief Inspector or the Minister as the case may
be considers adequate in the circumstances.

(3) An Inspector may require any person employed in any factory

in which any of the diseases named in the Third Schedule has
occurred, or is likely to occur, to be medically examined.

Exposure to elements

23. Effective provision shall be made for securing and maintaining

sufficient and suitable means to protect any person employed from
exposure to the elements, and such means may include roof shelters
and wind breaks for protection against rain and wind respectively.

Personal protective clothing and appliances

24. Where in any factory persons are exposed to a wet or dusty

process, to noise, to heat or to any poisonous, corrosive or other
injurious substance which is liable to cause bodily injury to those
persons the Minister may prescribe the provision and maintenance
 Factories and Machinery 23
for use of those persons suitable and adequate personal protective
clothing and appliances including where necessary goggles, gloves,
leggings, caps, foot-wear and protective ointment or lotion.

Provisions relating to welfare

25. (1) In respect of any factory, the following provisions relating
to welfare of persons shall apply:
(a) there shall be provided and maintained for the use of
persons employed therein—
(i) adequate and suitable accommodation for clothing
not worn during working hours; and
(ii) such arrangements as are reasonably practicable
for drying that clothing.
(b) there shall be provided and maintained at suitable places
reasonably accessible to all persons employed therein—
(i) an adequate supply of safe and wholesome drinking
water; and
(ii) adequate and suitable facilities for washing which
shall be kept in a clean condition; and
(c) there shall be provided and maintained so as to be readily
accessible a first-aid box or cupboard of the prescribed
standard and when more than one hundred and fifty persons
are employed at any one time a suitable first-aid room
of the prescribed standard shall also be provided and
maintained.

(2) The Minister may for factories or for any class of factory
or parts thereof prescribe standards for compliance in respect of
all the provisions in the foregoing subsection relating to welfare
of persons employed.

PART III

PERSON IN CHARGE AND CERTIFICATES OF

COMPETENCY

Training and supervision of inexperienced workers

26. No person shall be employed at any machine or in any process,
being a machine or process liable to cause bodily injury, unless
24 Laws of Malaysia ACT 139

he has been fully instructed as to the dangers likely to arise in

connection therewith and the precautions to be observed, and—
(a) has received sufficient instruction in work at the machine
or process; or
(b) is under adequate supervision by a person who has
knowledge and experience of the machine or process.

Chief Inspector may make orders in circumstances

27. (1) The Chief Inspector may make special orders for the conduct
and guidance of persons employed in any service involving the
management or operation of, or attendance on, or proximity to,
any machinery or process carried on in any factory as appear to
him necessary to ensure their safety and health.

(2) The occupier shall ensure by all reasonable means that the
persons exposed to danger are aware of any such special orders
made under subsection (1) and those persons shall observe the said
special orders.

(3) For the purpose of subsection (2) a copy of the Chief Inspector’s
special orders printed or written in the appropriate languages and
posted in conspicuous places in the vicinity of the machinery or
process to which the said special orders refer, so that all persons
referred to shall have free access and opportunity to read the same,
shall be deemed to constitute reasonable means.

Young persons
28. (1) No young person shall carry out work involving the
management of, or attendance on, or proximity to, any machinery.

(2) It shall be the duty of the owner or occupier to ensure that

subsection (1) is observed.

(3) Subsection (1) shall not apply to a young person not being
under the age of fourteen years receiving a course of instruction
at a Government technical school or other educational institution
or not being under the age of fifteen years if serving a recognised
apprenticeship.
 Factories and Machinery 25
(4) An Inspector may require an owner or occupier to make
suitable and effective arrangements to prevent the ingress of young
persons into premises or any part thereof in which machinery is
installed:

Provided that this subsection shall not apply to organised visits

to factories for educational purposes in which case all possible
precautions shall be taken to ensure the safety of young persons.

Certain machinery not to be operated without certificated staff

29. (1) Every occupier shall ensure that machinery which is

prescribed to be under the charge of a certificated engineer,
dredgemaster or driver shall not be operated except under the
charge of such engineer, dredgemaster or driver, as the case
may be.

(2) No person shall take charge of any machinery which is

prescribed to be under the charge of a certificated engineer,
dredgemaster or driver, as the case may be, unless—
(a) he holds a certificate of competency as an engineer,
dredgemaster or driver; or
(b) he has a written authority issued by the Chief Inspector.

(3) Every person holding a certificate of competency issued

under this Act shall produce and permit inspection of the same
whenever called upon to do so by an Inspector.

Panel of Examiners and Board of Appeal

30. (1) For the purpose of this Part there shall be appointed a
Panel of Examiners consisting of a Chairman and such persons as
may be prescribed.

(2) The Panel shall hold such examinations as may be prescribed

and recommend to the Chief Inspector the grant to successful
candidates at such examinations, the certificates of competency in
the prescribed form.

(3) Examinations shall be conducted in accordance with the

directions of the Chief Inspector as regards the times and places
at which they shall be held, their form and content and the manner
in which they shall be conducted.
26 Laws of Malaysia ACT 139

(4) Every matter referred to the Panel shall be considered and

decided by the Chairman and at least one member thereof:
Provided that the Chairman may permit the examination of engine
drivers by one member.

(5) Any person dissatisfied with the decision of the Panel may
appeal to the Chief Inspector who will convene an Appeal Board
consisting of such persons as may be prescribed.

PART IV

NOTIFICATION OF ACCIDENT, DANGEROUS OCCURENCE

AND DANGEROUS DISEASES

Accidents and dangerous occurrence to be reported

31. Whenever any accident which either—
(a) causes loss of life to any person;
(b) causes bodily injury to any person so that the person is
prevented from following his normal occupation for more
than four days; or
(c) causes serious damage to machinery or other property,
or any dangerous occurrence takes place in any factory or in
connection with any machinery, the occupier shall report the accident
or dangerous occurrence to the nearest Inspector by the quickest
means available and subsequently with the least possible delay
report in writing to the Inspector in the prescribed form the facts
of the matter so far as they are known to him.

Notification of industrial diseases

32. (1) Every registered medical practitioner attending on, or called
in to visit, a patient whom he believes to be suffering from any
of the diseases named in the Third Schedule and contracted in a
factory shall, unless such notice has been previously sent—
(a) forthwith sent to the Chief Inspector a notice stating the
name and location of the factory in which the patient
states he is or was last employed, the name and full
postal address of the patient and the disease from which,
in the opinion of the registered medical practitioner, the
patient is suffering; and
 Factories and Machinery 27
(b) at the same time send a copy of the notice to the occupier
of the factory in which the patient states he is or was last
employed.

Investigation and enquiries

33. (1) An Inspector shall make a preliminary investigation of the
circumstances of any accident or dangerous occurrence referred to
in section 31 or industrial disease referred to in section 32, reported
to him , and shall forward in writing to the Chief Inspector a report
on the investigation and if there has been any loss of life or there
is reason to believe that any person has been fatally injured the
Chief Inspector shall send a copy of the aforementioned report to
the nearest Magistrate together with such further report as he may
consider necessary and shall inform the Magistrate whether or not
it is proposed to hold an enquiry under subsection (2).

(2) (a) If upon consideration of the report referred to in

subsection (1) it appears to the Chief Inspector that an enquiry
ought to be held into the nature and cause of the accident or
dangerous occurrence or industrial disease, he may cause such an
enquiry to be held by a Senior Inspector.

(b) Upon the conclusion of the enquiry the Senior Inspector

shall forward to the Chief Inspector a copy of the evidence taken
thereat, together with his finding thereon and such further report
as the Senior Inspector may consider necessary.

(c) Where the Chief Inspector is of the opinion that criminal

proceedings ought to be instituted against any person in connection
with the accident or dangerous occurrence or industrial disease, he
shall forward to the Deputy Public Prosecutor a copy of the evidence,
finding and report, submitted in accordance with paragraph (b).

(3) Where the accident or dangerous occurrence referred to in

section 31 causes the death of any person or serious bodily injury
to any person or serious damage to machinery or other property,
no alterations or additions shall, without the consent of an Inspector
in writing, be made to any machinery which may have caused such
accident or dangerous occurrence nor shall any alterations be made
without such consent to the site of the accident or dangerous
occurrence until an Inspector has completed his investigation:
Provided that nothing herein contained shall operate to interfere
with rescue work or work necessary for the general safety of life
or property.
28 Laws of Malaysia ACT 139

(4) (a) The Senior Inspector may appoint one or more persons
of engineering, medical or other appropriate special skill to assist
as assessors in any enquiry held under subsection (2).

(b) Every person not being a public officer serving as an assessor

in any such enquiry shall be entitled to receive from the public
funds such remuneration as may be prescribed.

(5) Nothing in this section shall—

(a) be deemed to require an enquiry to be held before
prosecuting any person for any contravention of this Act
or for failure to comply with any lawful order given by
an Inspector; or
(b) affect any law relating to the enquiry into the death of
any person.

PART V

NOTICE OF OCCUPATION OF FACTORY, AND

REGISTRATION AND USE OF MACHINERY

Operation of factory

34. (1) Every person who at the commencement of this Act occupies
or uses any premises as a factory shall—
(a) within three months of the date submit to the Chief Inspector
such particulars as may be prescribed; and thereafter
(b) within six months of being required so to do by the Chief
Inspector submit such further particulars as may be
prescribed.

(2) (a) No person shall except with the written permission of

the Inspector begin to use any premises as a factory until one
month after he has served on the Inspector a written notice in the
prescribed form.

(b) This subsection shall not apply to any person who takes
over a factory from another person if there is no change in the
nature of the work carried on in the factory provided that the first
person shall within one month of such taking over have served on
the Inspector written notice in the prescribed form.
 Factories and Machinery 29
(3) This section shall not apply to building operations and works
of engineering construction.

Building operations or works of engineering construction

35. (1) Every person who undertakes any building operations or
works of engineering construction shall not later than seven days
from the commencement of those operations serve on the Inspector
written notice in the prescribed form.

(2) Subsection (1) shall not apply to—

(a) building operations or works of engineering construction
the carrying out of which does not involve the use of
machinery and which the person undertaking them has
grounds for believing will be completed in a period of
less than six weeks; and
(b) a person undertaking any operations in a place in which
building operations or works of engineering construction
are being carried out in respect of which notice has been
given under subsection (1).

Installation of machinery, etc.

36. (1) No person shall instal or cause to be installed any machinery
except with the written approval of the Inspector and for the
purpose of obtaining the approval there shall be submitted to the
Inspector such particulars as may be prescribed.

(2) When any machinery in respect of which a certificate of

fitness is prescribed has been installed written notice shall be
served on the Inspector who shall as soon as conveniently may be
make an inspection thereof and, if the machinery complies with
this Act, issue on payment of the prescribed fee a certificate of
fitness in the prescribed form.

(3) Written notice in the prescribed form shall be served on the

Inspector before any machinery other than machinery in respect
of which a certificate of fitness is prescribed or which is specified
in any written notice served on the Inspector pursuant to section
34 is first used in a factory and no such machinery shall, except
with the written permission of the Inspector, be used until the
expiry of one month after the service of written notice under this
subsection.
30 Laws of Malaysia ACT 139

Application for registration

37. Every person who comes into possession of any machinery

in respect of which a certificate of fitness is prescribed, shall send
to the Inspector such particulars in such manner as may be prescribed.

Register

38. (1) There shall be kept in every factory a register in the

prescribed form to be called the general register and there shall
be entered in or attached to that register all such particulars as may
be prescribed.

(2) The occupier of every factory shall send to an Inspector

such extracts from the general register as the Inspector may from
time to time require for the purpose of the execution of his duties
under this Act.

(3) The general register and every other register or record or

certificate kept in pursuance of this Act shall be preserved and
shall be kept available for inspection by any Inspector for at least
two years or such other period as may be prescribed for any class
or description of register or record, after the date of the last entry
in the register or record.

Moving or alteration of or addition to machinery to be approved

39. (1) No person shall move, alter or add to or cause to be

moved, altered or added to, any machinery which is installed for
use if the effectiveness of any fencing or any safety appliance is
affected by the moving, alteration or addition, unless he has received
in writing the approval of the Inspector thereto. For the purpose
of such approval there shall be submitted to the Inspector details
of the proposed moving, alteration or addition and of the proposed
modifications to the fencing and safety appliances together with
the name and address of the person who is to carry out the said
moving, alteration or addition and a sketch showing the details of
the modifications.

(2) The occupier of the factory shall notify the Inspector in

writing as soon as the moving, alteration or addition referred to
in subsection (1) has been completed.
 Factories and Machinery 31
(3) If the machinery does not comply with the requirements of
this Act, the Inspector shall by notice in writing served on the
occupier or where this is not practicable, posted on the premises
where the machinery to which it relates is installed, require such
defects as he may specify to be made good or removed within such
period as he shall specify in the notice and the machinery shall
not be operated after the expiry of that period unless the defects
have been made good or removed to the satisfaction of the Inspector
who shall thereupon, on payment of the prescribed fee, permit its
use and where applicable endorse the certificate of fitness:

Provided that if the Inspector is of the opinion the defect is

likely to cause immediate danger to life or property, he shall by
notice served or posted as aforesaid prohibit the operation of the
machinery until the defect is made good or removed, and in that
case the machinery shall not be operated so long as the prohibition
remains unrevoked:

And provided further that the Inspector may in such case render
the machinery inoperative by any means he may deem best suited
for the purpose.

Periodical inspections

40. (1) All machinery and factories shall be inspected by an Inspector

or such other person as may be approved in writing by the Minister,
at such periods and in such manner as may be prescribed.

(2) Every occupier of a factory shall afford to an Inspector all

reasonable facilities for inspection and all information as may
reasonably be required in connection therewith.

(3) Every engineer and dredgemaster in charge of any machinery

and every occupier of a factory, shall as soon as he becomes aware
of any defect therein which is likely to cause bodily injury to any
person or damage to any property, make good or remove the said
defect, and if the engineer, dredgemaster or occupier is unable to
make good or remove the said defect he shall cease to operate such
machinery or use such part or parts of the factory and forthwith
make a report thereon to an Inspector.
32 Laws of Malaysia ACT 139

(4) If in the opinion of an Inspector the use of any part of the

ways or works in a factory, or machinery, whether a certificate of
fitness is or is not prescribed in respect of the machinery, is likely
to cause bodily injury to any person or damage to any property,
he shall by notice in writing served on the occupier or where this
is not practicable, posted at the premises where the machinery to
which it relates is installed, require the defect to be made good
or removed within such period as he shall therein specify and in
every such case that part of the ways or works in that factory shall
not be used or the machinery shall not be operated after the expiry
of that period unless the defect has been made good or removed
to the satisfaction of the Inspector expressed in writing:

Provided that if the Inspector is of the opinion that the defect

is likely to cause immediate danger to life or property, he shall
by notice served or posted as aforesaid forthwith prohibit the
operation and use of the said machinery until the defect is made
good or removed to the satisfaction of the Inspector expressed in
writing:

And provided further that the Inspector may in such case render
the machinery inoperative by any means he may deem best suited
for the purpose.

Questions for decision by an Inspector and appeals from such

decision

41. (1) Any person aggrieved by any order made by an Inspector

under this Act may within twenty-one days from the date of such
order appeal to a Senior Inspector who may after considering any
representations made by that person by order in writing confirm,
annul or vary the order.

(2) Any person aggrieved by any order made by a Senior Inspector

under subsection (1) or otherwise under this Act may within twenty-
one days from the date of the order appeal to the chief Inspector
who shall refer it to a Board of Appeal constituted under this
section.

(3) A Board of Appeal may after hearing such evidence as it

may consider necessary and considering any representations made
confirm, annul or vary the order made by the Senior Inspector.
 Factories and Machinery 33
(4) (a) For the purposes of this section the Minister shall appoint
a panel of persons of engineering and other appropriate skills to
serve on Boards of Appeal constituted under this section.

(b) A Board of Appeal shall consist of the Chief Inspector or

a Deputy Chief Inspector nominated by him as Chairman and two
members selected from the panel appointed under paragraph (a).

(c) All questions requiring decision by a Board of Appeal shall

be decided by a majority of the Board.

(d) A copy of the decision of a Board of Appeal, on an appeal

referred to it, certified by the Chairman, shall be served without
delay on the person by whom the appeal was preferred.

(e) Members of the panel may be paid such remuneration as

may be prescribed.

(5) The Senior Inspector in the case of an appeal under

subsection (1) or the Chief Inspector in the case of an appeal under
subsection (2) may direct that the order appealed from shall be
suspended pending determination of the appeal.

Report of changes, etc.

42. It shall be the duty of the occupier of any factory to report

to the Inspector any structural change in the factory or any change
in the name of the factory or the nature of work carried on therein.

Machinery or factory no longer in use

43. It shall be the duty of any occupier who ceases to use any
premises as a factory or any machinery to notify an Inspector of
the cessation within thirty days thereof.

Notice of sale, hire or transfer

44. (1) Any owner who shall sell, hire out or transfer permanently
or temporarily to any person any machinery for which a certificate
of fitness has been issued shall, within ten days of the sale, hiring
out or transfer, give notice thereof in writing to an Inspector.
34 Laws of Malaysia ACT 139
(2) Any person, being a person who purchases for resale used
machinery for which a certificate of fitness is prescribed, shall
within ten days of reselling any such machinery, give notice thereof
in writing to an Inspector in such manner as may be prescribed.

Copy of report of enquiry may be supplied

45. Any person concerned in any enquiry held under this Act
shall be entitled, upon payment of the prescribed fee, to receive
a copy of the evidence taken at, and the decision of, the enquiry.

Powers of the Chief Inspector and Senior Inspectors at enquiries

46. For the purpose of holding enquiries under this Act the Chief
Inspector and a Senior Inspector shall have the power to administer
oaths and affirmations and shall be vested with the powers of a
First Class Magistrate for compelling the attendance of witnesses,
production of documents, maintaining order and otherwise duly
conducting the said enquiries, and all persons summoned to attend
any such enquiries shall be legally bound so to attend.

PART VI

GENERAL

Criminal or civil liability unaffected

47. Nothing in this Act shall operate to relieve any owner, occupier,
engineer, dredgemaster, driver or other person from any civil or
criminal liability.

Fees
48. All fees payable under this Act shall be paid in such manner
and within such period as may be prescribed.

Chief Inspector’s powers

49. Where the Chief Inspector is satisfied in respect of any particular
factory or part thereof or any particular process that any requirement
of any regulations made under this Act need not, having regard
to all the circumstances, be complied with or compliance with
such requirement is not reasonably practicable, he may by certificate
in writing, which he may after such notice as he may consider
reasonable in the circumstances revoke, exempt the factory or part
or process from complying with the requirement subject to such
conditions as he may specify in the said certificate.
 Factories and Machinery 35
Offences

50. (1) Subject to subsections (2) to (4) where the occupier of a

factory contravenes this Act he shall be guilty of an offence.

(2) Where the contravention as aforesaid is one in respect of

which the owner is by or under this Act made responsible the
owner shall be guilty of an offence.

(3) Notwithstanding subsections (1) and (2) whenever it is proved

to the satisfaction of a court that a contravention of this Act, has
been committed by any person other than the occupier or owner
of the factory or machinery in respect of which the contravention
has been committed, the owner or occupier as the case may be
shall also be held to be liable for that contravention, and to the
penalty provided therefor, unless he shall prove to the satisfaction
of the court that the same was committed without his knowledge
or consent and that he had taken all reasonable means to prevent
the same and to ensure the observance of this Act:

Provided that nothing contained in this section shall be deemed

to exempt such first mentioned person from liability in respect of
any penalty provided by this Act for any contravention proved to
have been committed by him.

(4) If the occupier or owner of a factory or machinery avails

himself of any exception allowed by or under this Act and fails
to comply with any of the conditions attached to the exception, he
shall be guilty of an offence.

Penalties

51. (1) Any person who contravenes subsections 19(1),

section 31, subsections 34(1), 36(1), section 37, subsections 38(1),
39(1) and 40(3) shall be guilty of an offence and shall, on conviction,
be liable to a fine not exceeding five thousand ringgit.

(2) Any person who contravenes any other provision of this Act
for which contravention no penalty is expressly provided shall be
guilty of an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine
not exceeding two thousand ringgit.
36 Laws of Malaysia ACT 139

(3) Where the offence of which any person is convicted is a

continuing offence, such person shall, in addition to the punishment
inflicted in respect of that offence, be further liable to a fine not
exceeding one hundred ringgit for each day or part of a day during
which the offence continues after the first day in respect of which
the conviction is recorded.

Prosecutions

52. It shall be competent for an Inspector to conduct a prosecution

for any offence under this Act before any court.

Power to compound

52A. (1) The Chief Inspector or any Deputy Chief Inspector may
in his discretion compound such offences against this Act as may
be prescribed by the Minister as offences which may be compounded
by the Chief Inspector or any Deputy Chief Inspector by collecting
from the person reasonably suspected of having committed the
same a sum of money not exceeding one hundred ringgit.

(2) The Minister may make rules* to prescribe the method and
procedure for compounding such offences.

Power to modify agreements

53. If by reason of an agreement between the owner and the

occupier of premises the whole or any part of which has been let
as a factory the said owner or occupier is prevented from carrying
out any structural or other alterations in the premises which are
necessary to enable him to comply with this Act or in order to
conform with any standard or requirement imposed by or under
this Act, he may apply to the High Court for the terms of the
agreement to be set aside or modified; and the Court, after hearing
the parties and any witnesses whom they may desire to call, may
make an order setting aside or modifying the terms of the agreement
as the Court considers just and equitable in the circumstances of
the case.
*NOTE—See Factories and Machinery (Compounding of Offences) Rules 1978 - [P.U. (A) 85/
1978].
 Factories and Machinery 37
Power to apportion expenses

54. Where in any premises the whole or any part of which has
been let as a factory any structural or other alterations are required
in order to comply with this Act or in order to conform with any
standard or requirement imposed by or under this Act, and the
owner or occupier, as the case may be, alleges that the whole or
part of the expenses of the alterations ought to be borne by the
occupier or owner, the owner or occupier may apply to the High
Court for the expenses of the alterations to be apportioned between
them; and the Court, after hearing the parties and any witnesses
whom they may desire to call, may make an order concerning the
apportionment of such expenses as the Court considers just and
equitable in the circumstances of the case, regard being had to the
terms of any contract between the parties, or in the alternative, the
Court may, at the request of the owner or occupier, determine the
lease.

Exemptions

55. (1) Nothing contained in this Act shall apply to—

(a) any factory or machinery operated—
(i) by the armed forces; or
(ii) by agreement with the Government by any visiting
force lawfully present in Malaysia; or
(b) any machinery which is subject to the law relating to
merchant shipping.

(2) Any factory and machinery operated by:

(a) the Government of the Federation and the Government
of every State shall be exempted from the provisions
of—
(i) the whole of sections 34, 35, 38, 48; and
(ii) sections 36, 37, 39, 40, 43, only in respect of
machinery other than steam boilers, steam receivers
and lifts; and
38 Laws of Malaysia ACT 139

(b) the Railway Assets Corporation shall be exempted from

the provisions of—
(i) the whole of section 34, 35, 38, 48; and
(ii) sections 36 and 37, only in respect of machinery
other than lifts.

(3) The Minister may, by order, exempt either conditionally or

absolutely any factory or machinery or class of factories or machinery
from all or any of the provisions of this Act or the regulations
made thereunder and may in like manner cancel or vary any such
exemptions.

Regulations

56. (1) The Minister may make regulations in respect of any

matter which may be prescribed under this Act and in particular—
(a) prescribe the duties of the Chief Inspector and of any of
the officers appointed under section 4;
(b) prescribe the records to be kept in respect of machinery
and factories and of inspections, the certificates and any
other matters to which this Act relates and the form
thereof and the person by whom the same are to be kept;
(c) prescribe the standard of cleanliness to be observed and
the means of removal of injurious and offensive fumes
or dust arising from certain processes in factories, or
class or description of factory and the special measures
to be taken to ensure the health of persons employed
therein;
(d) in respect of any matters which may appear to the Minister
expedient for the safety, health and welfare of persons
employed at machinery or in factories;
(e) specify the classes of machinery for which certificates of
fitness are required and order the prohibition of the use
of condemned machinery, and the marking and disposal
of the same;
(f) prescribe the manner of calculating the safe working
pressure of steam boilers and unfired pressure vessels
and gas cylinders, the horse power of prime movers and
the safe working load of hoisting machines and tackle;
 Factories and Machinery 39
(g) prescribe the times at which and the manner in which
machinery and factories shall be inspected, the notice (if
any) to be given in relation to inspections and the
preparations to be made for such inspections;
(h) prescribe the qualifications to be possessed by persons
before they may be placed in charge of or entrusted with
the care or management of specified machinery;
(i) prescribe the nature of the examinations for certificates
of competency as engineers, dredgemasters and drivers,
the form of such certificates, the manner and conditions
of the issue thereof, and the fees to be paid for examinations
and certificates and prescribe the manner and circumstances
in which the certificate of competency may be suspended,
cancelled or varied;
(j) prescribe the fee and the manner by which it is to be paid
in respect of the inspection of factories and machinery
and the registration of machinery requiring certificates
of fitness for operation, certificates of competency and
any other certificates, the forms of such certificates, the
manner and conditions of issue, extension, suspension,
revocation and cancellation thereof and the period for
which any such certificate shall remain in force;
(k) prescribe the manner of holding enquiries under
section 33; and
(l) in respect of any other matters as to which it may appear
to the Minister to be expedient for the better carrying out
of this Act.

(2) Where it appears to the Minister that in view of the number

and nature of accidents occurring in any factory or class or description
of factory, special provisions ought to be made at that factory or
factories of that class or description to secure the safety of persons
therein, he may make special regulations as may appear to him to
be reasonable, requiring the occupier to make such special provision
for supervision in regard to safety, investigation of the circumstances
and causes of accidents and otherwise as may be specified in the
regulations.

(3) Where part of a building is let off as a separate factory, the

Minister may make regulations to modify the application of the
Act specifying the person, that is to say the owner of the building
40 Laws of Malaysia ACT 139

or the occupier of the factory, on whom any duties are imposed,

or rights conferred, by the respective provisions of the Act as far
as they are applicable, and the liability for any contravention
thereof.

Medical supervision

57. Where it appears to the Minister that in any factory or class

or description of factory—
(a) cases of illness have occurred which he has reason to
believe may be due to the nature of the process or other
conditions of work;
(b) there may be risk of injury to the health of persons employed
in any process; or
(c) persons below the age of eighteen years are, or are about
to be, employed in work which may cause risk of injury
to health,

he may make regulations requiring arrangements to be made for

the medical supervision of or the provision of medical treatment
of a preventive character for persons, or any class of persons,
employed at the factory or class or description of factory as may
be specified in the regulations.

Repeal

58. The Machinery Ordinance 1953 of the States of Malaya

[F.M. Ord. 18 of 1953], and the Machinery Ordinance of the State
of Sabah [Cap. 75] and all the regulations made thereunder are
repealed:

Provided that—
(a) any appointments made and any exemptions granted under
the aforesaid Ordinances shall, so far as they are consistent
with this Act, be deemed to have been made or granted
by this Act and where applicable under the provisions of
this Act shall remain in force until revoked or superseded
by any appointment or exemption made under this Act;
 Factories and Machinery 41
(b) any certificates or written permits to operate any machinery
granted under the aforesaid Ordinances shall remain valid
as if they have been granted under this Act; and where
applicable shall have effect for the period specified therein:

Provided further that, in respect of the State of Sabah this section

shall not have effect until the whole of the provisions of this Act
are in force in that State.

Amendment of Schedule

59. The Minister may, at any time by order, amend any of the
Schedules.

FIRST SCHEDULE

DANGEROUS OCCURRENCE

[Section 3]

1. Bursting of a revolving vessel, wheel, grindstone or grinding wheel moved

by mechanical power.

2. Collapse or failure of a crane, derrick, winch, hoist, piling frame or other

appliance used in raising or lowering persons or goods, or any part thereof
(except breakage of chain or rope slings), or the overturning of a crane.

3. Explosion or fire or failure of structure affecting the safety or strength of

any room or place in which persons are employed, or to any machinery or plant
contained therein.

4. Explosion or failure of structure affecting the safety or strength of a steam

boiler or of an unfired pressure vessel; the loss of boiler water, the melting of
a fusible plug and the bursting of a tube.

SECOND SCHEDULE

SERIOUS BODILY INJURY

[Section 3]

1. Emasculation.

2. Permanent privation of the sight of either eye.

3. Permanent privation of the hearing of either ear.

42 Laws of Malaysia ACT 139
4. Privation of any member or joint.

5. Destruction or permanent impairing of the powers of any member or joint.

6. Permanent disfiguration of the head or face.

7. Fracture or dislocation of a bone.

8. Any hurt which endangers life, or which causes the sufferer to be, during
the space of twenty days, in severe bodily pain, or unable to follow his ordinary
pursuits.

THIRD SCHEDULE

NOTIFIABLE INDUSTRIAL DISEASES

[Section 32]

1. Dust diseases of the lung—

(a) Silicosis-inhalation of (SiO2) silica containing dust;
(b) Stannosis-inhalation of tin dusts or fumes;
(c) Sidersosis or sidero-silicosis-inhalation of dust containing iron and
silica, haematite;
(d) Asbestosis-inhalation of asbestos dust or fibres;
(e) Conditions of respiratory allergy of asthma or chronic bronchitis, or
byssinosis resulting from inhalation of dusts of plant origin as cotton,
wood, flax, jute, rice husks, cork, spices, hemp, sisal, tobacco, tea,
flour and the like and mineral dusts as cements, copper, zinc, or animal
dusts as bone or hair;
(f) Other pneumoconioses or fibrotic diseases of the lungs resulting from
inhalation of aluminium or talc, or coal.

2. Systematic intoxication by any of the following metals or their compounds,

lead, mercury, manganese, phosphorous, antimony, chromium, nickel, beryllium.

3. Intoxication resulting from the use of solvents as benzene and other aromatic
hydrocarbons, carbon disulphide, chlorinated hydrocarbons, and petroleum and
its derivatives.

4. Pulmonary irritation resulting from inhalation of nitrogen oxides, sulphur

oxides, chlorine, phosgene, ammonia, etc.

5. Intoxication resulting from handling of insecticides, or herbicides or fungicides

as organic phosphate compounds, nitrogenous and chlorinated compounds.

6. Conditions of occupational dermatosis resulting from handling of mineral

oils, acids, alkalis, dusts, and other irritants.
 Factories and Machinery 43
7. Occupational infections as anthrax, glanders, and leptospirosis, tuberculosis,
leprosy (where occupational exposure to the last two is evident).

8. Malignant disease resulting from handling or inhalation or contact with

carcinogenic tars, or radioactive dusts.

9. Eye conditions resulting from physical trauma as heat cataract, radiation

cataract and from irritants.

10. Toxic jaundice resulting from nitro or amino derivatives of benzene or

other substances.

11. Subcutaneous or acute bursitis of knee or hand or wrist resulting from

manual labour causing severe or prolonged friction or pressure.

12. Conditions resulting from severe heat exposure such as heat cramps or
heat stroke.

13. Hearing loss due to excessive exposure to industrial noise of high sound
pressure level.

14. Conditions resulting from exposure to ionizing and non-ionizing radiation.

15. Decompression sickness (caisson disease) and conditions resulting from

working under water.
44 Laws of Malaysia ACT 139

LAWS OF MALAYSIA

Act 139

FACTORIES AND MACHINERY ACT 1967

LIST OF AMENDMENTS

Amending law Short title In force from

Act A199 Factories and Machinery 01-08-1973

(Amendment) Act 1973

Act 160 Malaysian Currency (Ringgit) 29-08-1975

Act 1975

Act A424 Factories and Machinery 24-02-1978

(Amendment) Act 1978

P.U. (A) 111/2003 Revision of Laws (Rectification

of Factories and Machinery
Act 1967) Order 2003
 Factories and Machinery 45
LAWS OF MALAYSIA

Act 139

FACTORIES AND MACHINERY ACT 1967

LIST OF SECTIONS AMENDED

Section Amending authority In force from

1 Act A424 24-02-1978

2 Act A424 24-02-1978

3 Act A424 24-02-1978

8 Act 160 29-08-1975

9 Act 160 29-08-1975

22 Act A424 24-02-1978

32 Act A424 24-02-1978

51 Act 160 29-08-1975

52A Act A199 01-08-1973

Act 160 29-08-1975

55 Act A424 24-02-1978

56 Act A424 24-02-1978

DICETAK OLEH
PERCETAKAN NASIONAL MALAYSIA BERHAD,
KUALA LUMPUR
BAGI PIHAK DAN DENGAN PERINTAH KERAJAAN MALAYSIA