The first Factories Act was enacted in 1881. Background:Before the Factories Act was enacted, there were no laws regulating the working conditions in factories. Workers, including women and children, were often subjected to long working hours, hazardous working conditions, and low wages. The first Factories Act was enacted to address these issues and improve the working conditions in factories.Key provisions of the Factories Act, 1881:1. Working hours: The Act limited the working hours to 12 hours per day for adults and 6 hours per day for children.2. Safety measures: The Act required factories to take safety measures to prevent accidents and injuries to workers.3. Employment of women and children: The Act prohibited the employment of children under the age of 7 and limited the working hours of women and children.4. Health measures: The Act required factories to provide clean and safe drinking water, adequate ventilation, and other health measures for workers.5. Inspection: The Act provided for the appointment of inspectors to ensure that the factories were complying with the provisions of the Act.Impact of the Factories Act, 1881:The Factories Act, 1881 was a significant step towards improving the working conditions in factories. The Act helped in reducing the working hours, improving safety measures, and providing better health facilities for workers. It also helped in reducing the exploitation of children and women in factories. However, the Act had certain limitations, and it was replaced by the Factories Act, 1891, which further strengthened the provisions relating to working conditions in factories.

This Act may be called "The Indian Factories Act, 1881." come into force on the first day of July, 1881.