Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 287
repealedNegligent conduct with respect to machinery
Whoever does, with any machinery, any act so rashly or negligently as to endanger human life or to be likely to cause hurt or injury to any other person, or knowingly or negligently omits to take such order with any machinery in his possession or under his care as is sufficient to guard against any probable danger to human life from such machinery, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both.
Why this exists
Industrial and mechanical accidents can kill or maim workers and bystanders. This section makes careless operation or unsafe maintenance of machinery a criminal offence, complementing labour and factory safety laws that focus on workplace regulation. Under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, this offence continues under a renumbered section.