CHAP. 16.—An ACT making certain provisions in reference to the construc-
tion of factories, shops and manufacturing establishments, providing for
the use of certain safety appliances therein and the protection of dan-
gerous machinery therein; making provisions how factories, shops and
manufacturing establishments shall be lighted, vesting in the commis-
sioner of labor certain powers in reference thereto; and providing cer-
tain penalties for failure to comply with the provisions of this act.

H. B. 11.)
Approved February 27, 1914.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That
proper and substantial handrails shall be provided on all stairways
in factories, shops and manufacturing establishments. Where fe-
males are employed the stairs shall be properly screened at the
sides and bottom. All doors leading in or to any such factory,
shop or manufacturing establishment shall be so constructed as to
open outwardly and shall not be locked, bolted or fastened during
working hours. Provided, that nothing contained in this section
shall apply to any factory, shop or manufacturing establishment
where not more than twenty-five persons are employed; and pro-
vided, further, in the discretion of the commissioner of labor, after
sufficient means of egress is provided, the owner may erect addi-
tional sliding doors. Provided, the owner of a factory, shop or
manufacturing establishment, equipped with sliding doors, properly
adjusted and easily opened, need not convert the same into doors
that open outwardly if there be another door, or doors, on the
first floor opening outwardly, affording suflicient means of egress
for people visiting or working in said building, the sufficiency of
egress to be determined by the commissioner of labor, subject to
the right of appeal as hereinafter provided.

2. The owner or person in charge of a factory, shop, or manu-
facturing establishment where machinery is used shall provide, in
the discretion of the commissioner of labor, belt shifters or other
mechanical contrivances for the purpose of throwing on or off belts
on pulleys. Whenever practicable, all machinery shall be provided
with loose pulleys. All vats, elevators, saws, planers, cogs, gearing,
belting, shafting, set screws, shapers and corner machines, shall
be properly guarded. No person shall remove or make ineffective
any safeguard around or attached to machinery, vats, or elevators
while the same are in use, unless for the purpose of immediately
making repairs thereto, and all such safeguards so removed shall
be promptly replaced. If a machine or any part thereof is in a
dangerous condition, or is not properly guarded, notice thereof
shall be given to the owner or manager in charge of such operation
and unless such machinery is repaired or made safe within ten
days after such notice the use thereof may be prohibited by the
commissioner of labor and a notice to that effect shall be attached
thereto. Such notice shall not be removed until the machine is
made safe and the required safeguards are provided, and in the
meantime such unsafe or dangerous machinery shall not be used.
When in the opinion of the commissioner of labor it is necessary,
the work rooms, halls and stairs leading to the work rooms shall be
properly lighted; and in cities of the first class, if deemed necessary
by the commissioner of labor, a proper light shall be kept burning
by the owner or lessee in the public hallways, near the stairs upon
the entrance floor and upon the other floors on every workday in
the year, from the time when the building is opened for use in the
morning until the time it is closed in the evening, except at times
when the influx of natural light shall make artificial light un-
necessary. Such lights to be independent of the motive power of
such factory.

From any ruling or order made by the commissioner of labor
under this act, there shall be an appeal as of right by any party
in interest to the circuit or corporation court in which such build-
ing is located, provided such appeal be taken within five days after
such ruling or order is made.

8. For failure to comply with any of the provisions of this act,
the person or corporation offending, shall be subject to a fine of not
less than five nor more than ten dollars, and each day’s failure to
comply shall be considered a separate offense.