There is a general misconception that only entities that do manufacturing are considered to be factories. In addition to manufacturers many other entities fall under the Factories Act. These include motor vehicle repair services or servicing, metal fabrication, woodwork, laundry, dry cleaning establishments, cold storage installations, etc. Also, the engagement of ten or more workers in manual labour such as data entry, hand picking coffee, banana packinghouse, washing and sorting of bottles etc. are considered a factory. An initial safety and health inspection may be necessary to determine if your establishment is a factory. Click here to view the legal definition of a factory.

The department responsible for registering and monitoring factories is the Industrial Safety Department (I.S.D) located at the Ministry of Labour. To gain registration, the owner or operator of the factory should collect an application form and scale of fees from the I.S.D. Complete the form and pay the prescribed fee at the Collector of Taxes. When granted, the registration is valid for three (3) years. It is the duty of the owner or operator to apply for registration and to do so thirty 30) days prior to the expiration date, in the case of re-registration.

The prescribed registration fees have been in effect since 1976, with no amendment or increase since then. The fees range from $3.00, for under 10 workers, to a maximum of $150.00, for over 800 workers. The I.S.D is aware that it may seem like an exercise in futility and grossly uneconomical to incur expense to pay these low fees. The I.S.D staff continues to work incessantly for an increase in the fees to more realistic values. However, until a change is granted, the payment of the registration fee remains a vital part of registration process and must be complied with to gain registration.

The I.S.D conducts safety and health inspections at factories and docks at least once every year. The Department, through its inspectors, also conducts accident investigations, and makes presentations on occupational safety and health issues at seminars and workshops. We also inspect cargo ships at every call and building construction sites every 6 weeks. Click here for more.

Copies of the Factories Act / Regulations can be obtained at the Jamaica Printing Services (1992) Ltd. 77 ½ Duke St., Kingston. The Artificial Respiration posters are available at Red Cross Society, 76 Arnold Rd, Kingston

The types of fire warning devices available are the electric bell, gong or whistle.

Sanitary conveniences are also known as water closets (toilets).

The Registration certificates are issued within 30 days.