**Question:** The factories Act (1976) prohibits employment of a person below -

A. 14 years old
B. 15 years old
C. 16 years old
D. 18 years old

**Core Concept:** The Factories Act, 1948, is a piece of legislation aimed at safeguarding the health, safety, and welfare of workers in factories in India. It covers various aspects like working hours, child labor, and health and safety measures.

**Why the Correct Answer is Right:** The correct answer is D. 18 years old as it refers to the minimum age for employment in various sectors, including factories, in India. According to the Factories Act, 1948, children below 18 years of age are strictly prohibited from engaging in hazardous work, defined as work that is likely to be dangerous to their health or morals. The Act ensures the safety and well-being of workers, particularly regarding child labor.

**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect:**

A. 14 years old: This option is incorrect because the Act protects children from hazardous work, not from employment altogether. A child can be employed but only in non-hazardous work, and must be accompanied by an adult.

B. 15 years old: This option is incorrect because the Act aims to protect children from hazardous work, not to define a specific age for employment. The Act focuses on ensuring the safety and well-being of child workers, not setting a fixed employment age.

C. 16 years old: This option is incorrect as the Factories Act, 1948, focuses on protecting children from hazardous work rather than defining a specific employment age. While a 16-year-old might be employed, they would only be engaged in non-hazardous work and must be accompanied by an adult in the workplace.

**Clinical Pearl:**

Understanding the core concept of the Factories Act, 1948, helps medical students and healthcare professionals appreciate the importance of labor laws in safeguarding worker health and welfare. This knowledge can contribute to addressing societal issues related to child labor and promoting responsible employment practices.

**Correct Answer:** D. 18 years old

The Factories Act, 1948, focuses on protecting children from hazardous work, not defining a specific employment age. In India, the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, sets the minimum working age at 14 years for agricultural work and 15 years for non-agricultural work. However, hazardous work is prohibited for all children below 18 years of age.