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CONTENTS
u Table showing sections of Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 and corresponding provisions of repealed laws I-9
u Table showing sections of Beedi and Cigar Workers (Conditions of Employment) Act, 1966 & corresponding provisions of Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 I-40
u Table showing sections of Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1996 & corresponding provisions of Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 I-44
u Table showing sections of Cine-Workers and Cinema Theatre Workers (Regulation of Employment) Act, 1981 & corresponding provisions of Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 I-49
u Table showing sections of Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act, 1970 & corresponding provisions of Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 I-52
u Table showing sections of Dock Workers (Safety, Health and Welfare) Act, 1986 & corresponding provisions of Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 I-55
u Table showing sections of Factories Act, 1948 & corresponding provisions of Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 I-58
u Table showing sections of Inter-State Migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1979 & corresponding provisions of Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 I-68
u Table showing sections of Mines Act, 1952 & corresponding provisions of Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 I-72
u Table showing sections of Motor Transport Workers Act, 1961 & corresponding provisions of Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 I-80
u Table showing sections of Plantations Labour Act, 1951 & corresponding provisions of Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 I-84
u Table showing sections of Sales Promotion Employees (Conditions of Service) Act, 1976 & corresponding provisions of Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 I-89
u Table showing sections of Working Journalists and Other Newspaper Employees (Conditions of Service) and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1955 & corresponding provisions of Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 I-91
u Table showing sections of Working Journalists (Fixation of Rates of Wages) Act, 1958 & corresponding provisions of Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 I-95
u Comparative study of Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 & Factories Act/Plantations Labour Act/Mines Act/Working Journalists Act/ Working Journalists Wages Act/Motor Transport Workers Act/Beedi and Cigar Workers Act/Contract Labour Act/Sales Promotion Employees Act/Inter-State Migrant Workmen Act/Cine Workers Act/Dock Workers Act/Building Workers Act (hereinafter referred to as ‘the repealed Acts’) I-97
DI VI SI ON ONE
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY, HEALTH AND WORKING CONDITIONS CODE, 2020
u
u St at e me nt of o bj ect s a nd r e as o ns
u Not es o n cl a us es
u Appe ndi x : Pr ovi si o ns of ot her Act s Ref err e d t o i n Occ u - pati o nal Saf et y, He al t h a nd Wor ki ng Co ndi ti o ns Co de, 2020
DI VI SI ON T WO
RULES
u Arr a nge me nt of Rul es
u Te xt of Occ upati o nal Saf et y, He al t h a nd Wor ki ng Co ndi - ti o ns ( Ce nt r al ) Rul es, 2026
DI VI SI ON T HREE
NOTIFICATIONS AND CLARIFICATIONS
u Noti fi c ati o ns 3.3
u FA Qs 3.5
u Co mpli a nce Ha ndbook f or E mpl oyers under t he Fo ur La bo ur Co des ( Ce nt r al Gover n me nt Sp her e) 3.27
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY, HEALTH AND WORKING CONDITIONS CODE, 2020*
[37 OF 2020]
An Act to consolidate and amend the laws regulating the occupational safety, health and working conditions of the persons employed in an establishment and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. Be i t e nact e d by Parli a me nt i n t he Se ve nt y- fi rst Ye ar of t he Re p ubli c of I ndi a as f oll o ws:
CHAPTER I PRELIMINARY
Short title, commencement and application.
1 1. ( 1) Thi s Act may be c all e d t he Occ upati o nal Saf et y, He al t h a nd Wor ki ng Co ndi ti o ns Co de, 2020.
( 2) It s hall c o me i nt o f or ce o n s uc h dat e† as t he Ce nt r al Gover n me nt may, by noti fi c ati o n a ppoi nt; a nd di ff er e nt dat es may be a ppoi nt e d f or di ff er e nt pr ovi si o ns of t hi s Co de a nd a ny r ef er e nce i n a ny s uc h pr ovi si o n t o t he c o mme nce me nt of t hi s Co de s hall be c o nst r ue d as a r ef er e nce t o t he c o m i ng i nt o f or ce of t hat pr ovi si o n.
( 3) It s hall not a ppl y t o t he offi ces of t he Ce nt r al Gover n me nt, offi ces of t he St at e Gover n me nt a nd a ny s hi p of war of a ny nati o nali t y:
Provided t hat t he Co de s hall a ppl y i n c as e of c o nt r act l a bo ur e mpl oye d t hr o ug h c o nt r act or i n t he offi ces of t he Ce nt r al Gover n me nt or i n t he offi ces of t he St at e Gover n me nt, wher e, t he Ce nt r al Gover n me nt or, as t he c as e may be, t he
St at e Gover n me nt i s t he pri nci pal e mpl oyer.
Corresponding Provision : Secti on 1 of Fact ori es Act, 1948/s ecti on 1 of Pl a nt ati ons La bo ur Act, 1951/s ecti on 1 of M i nes Act, 1952/s ecti on 1 of Wor ki ng J o ur nali st s a nd ot her Ne ws paper
E mpl oyees ( Condi ti ons of Ser vi ce) a nd M i s cell a ne o us Pr ovi si ons Act, 1955/s ecti on 1 of Doc k
Wor kers ( Saf et y, Heal t h a nd Wel f ar e) Act, 1986/s ecti on 1 of Ci ne- Wor kers a nd Ci ne ma
Theat r e Wor kers ( Reg ul ati on of E mpl oy me nt) Act, 1981/s ecti on 1 of I nt er- St at e M i gr a nt Wor k me n ( Reg ul ati on of E mpl oy me nt a nd Condi ti ons of Ser vi ce) Act, 1979/s ecti on 1 of
* Dat e d 28- 9- 2020
1 Enf or ce d w i t h eff ect f r o m 21-11-2025
†See Noti fi cati on No S O 5321( E), dat e d 21- 11- 2025 ( see Notifications ) 1.11
S.2
OCC UPATI ONAL S AF ET Y , HEALT H & WORKI NG C ONDI TI ONS C ODE , 2020 1.12
Sal es Pr o moti on E mpl oyees ( Condi ti ons of Ser vi ce) Act, 1976/s ecti on 1 of Cont r act La bo ur ( Reg ul ati on a nd Aboli ti on) Act, 1970/s ecti on 1 of Bee di a nd Ci gar Wor kers ( Condi ti ons of E mpl oy me nt) Act, 1966/s ecti on 1 of Mot or Tr a ns port Wor kers Act, 1961/s ecti on 1 of Wor ki ng J o ur nali st s ( Fi xati on of Rat es of Wages) Act, 1958/s ecti on 1 of Buil di ng a nd Ot her Const r ucti on Wor kers ( Reg ul ati on of E mpl oy me nt a nd Condi ti ons of Ser vi ce) Act, 1996
Definitions.
1 2. ( 1) I n t hi s Co de, unl ess t he c o nt e xt ot her w i s e r e q ui r es, ( a ) “ a dol es ce nt” s hall have t he s a me me a ni ng as assi g ne d t o i t i n cl a us e (i ) of s ecti o n 2 of t he Chil d a nd Adol es ce nt La bo ur ( Pr o hi bi ti o n a nd Re g ul ati o n) Act, 1986 ( 61 of 1986);
Corresponding Provision : Secti on 2(b ) of Fact ori es Act, 1948/s ecti on 2( a ) of Pl a nt ati ons La bo ur Act, 1951/s ecti on 2( a ) of Mot or Tr a ns port Wor kers Act, 1961 (b ) “ a d ul t” me a ns a pers o n who has c o mpl et e d hi s ei g ht ee nt h ye ar of age;
Corresponding Provision : Secti on 2( a ) of Fact ori es Act, 1948/s ecti on 2(b ) of Pl a nt ati ons La bo ur Act, 1951/s ecti on 2(1 )(b ) of M i nes Act, 1952/s ecti on 2(b ) of Mot or Tr a ns port Wor kers Act, 1961/s ecti on 2( a ) of Bee di a nd Ci gar Wor kers
( Condi ti ons of E mpl oy me nt) Act, 1966
( c ) “ age nt” whe n us e di n r el ati o n t o a m i ne, me a ns e ver y pers o n, whet her a ppoi nt e d as s uc h or not, who, acti ng or p ur porti ng t o act o n be hal f of t he o wner, t a kes part i n t he ma nage me nt, c o nt r ol, s uper vi si o n or di r ecti o n of s uc h m i ne or of a ny part t her e of;
Corresponding Provision : Secti on 2(1 )( c ) of M i nes Act, 1952.
(d ) “ a ppr opri at e Gover n me nt” me a ns
(i ) i n r el ati o n t o, est a bli s h me nt s [ ot her t ha n t hos e s peci fi e di n s ubcl a us e (ii )] c arri e d o n by or under t he a ut hori t y of t he Ce nt r al Gover n me nt or c oncer ni ng a ny s uc h c ont r oll e di ndust r y as may be s peci fi e d i n t hi s be hal f by t he Ce nt r al Gover n me nt or t he est a bli s h me nt of r ail ways i ncl udi ng met r o r ail ways, m i nes, oil fi el d, maj or port s, ai r t r a ns port s er vi ce or t el ec o mmuni c ati o n s er vi ce, ba nki ng c o mpa ny or a ny i ns ur a nce c o mpa ny ( by whate ver na me c all e d) est a bli s he d by a Ce nt r al Act or a c or por ati o n or ot her a ut hori t y est a bli s he d by a Ce nt r al Act or a Ce nt r al p ubli c s ect or undert a ki ng or s ubsi di ar y c o mpa ni es s et up by t he Ce nt r al p ubli c s ect or undert a ki ngs or a ut o no mo us bo di es o wne d or c o nt r oll e d by t he Ce nt r al Gover n me nt, i ncl udi ng est a bli s h me nt of c o nt r act ors f or t he p ur pos es of s uc h est a b - li s h me nt, c or por ati o n or ot her a ut hori t y, Ce nt r al p ubli c s ect or undert a ki ngs, s ubsi di ar y c o mpa ni es or a ut o no mo us bo di es, as t he c as e may be, t he Ce nt r al Gover n me nt:
Provided t hat i n t he c as e of Ce nt r al Publi c Sect or Undert a ki ngs t he a ppr opri at e Gover n me nt s hall c o nti n ue t o be t he Ce nt r al Gover n me nt e ve n i f t he hol di ng of t he Ce nt r al Gover n me nt r e -
1 Enf or ce d w i t h eff ect f r o m 21-11-2025
C H I : P RELI MI NA RY
1.13
S. 2
duces t ol ess t ha nfi ft y per ce nt e q ui t y of t he Ce nt r al Gover n me nt i n t hat Publi c Sect or Undert a ki ngs aft er t he c o mme nce me nt of t hi s Co de; a nd
(ii ) i n r el ati ont o a f act or y, mot or t r a ns port undert aki ng, pl a nt ati on, ne ws pa per est a bli s h me nt a nd est a bli s h me nt r el ati ng t o bee di a nd ci gar i ncl udi ng t he est a bli s h me nt s not s peci fi e d i n cl a us e (i ), t he c o ncer ne d St at e Gover n me nt wher e i t i s si t uat e d
Explanation.
For t he r e moval of do ubt s i t i s her e by cl ari fi e d t hat St at e Gover n me nt s hall be t he a ppr opri at e Gover n me nt i n r es pect of occ upati o nal s af et y, he al t h a nd wor ki ng c o ndi ti o ns i n a f act or y si t uat e d i n t hat St at e;
Corresponding Provision : Secti on 2(1 )( a ) of Cont r act La bo ur ( Reg ul ati on a nd Aboli ti on) Act, 1970/s ecti on 2(1 )( a ) of I nt er- St at e M i gr a nt Wor k me n ( Reg ul ati on of E mpl oy me nt a nd Condi ti ons of Ser vi ce) Act, 1979/s ecti on 2( a ) of Doc k Wor kers ( Saf et y, Heal t h a nd Wel f ar e) Act, 1986/s ecti on 2(1 )( a ) of Buil di ng a nd Ot her Const r ucti on Wor kers ( Reg ul ati on of E mpl oy me nt a nd Condi ti ons of Ser vi ce) Act, 1996
( e ) “ a udi o- vi s ual pr o d ucti o n” me a ns a udi o- vi s ual pr o d uce d wholl y or partl y i n I ndi a a nd i ncl udes
(i ) a ni mati o n, c art oo n de pi cti o n, a udi o- vi s ual a dverti s e me nt;
(ii ) di gi t al pr o d ucti o n or a ny of t he acti vi ti es i n r es pect of ma ki ng t her e of; a nd
(iii ) f e at ur es fil ms, no n- f e at ur e fil ms, t el e vi si o n, we b- bas e d s eri al s, t al k s ho ws, r e ali t y s ho ws a nd s port s ho ws;
Corresponding Provision : Secti on 2(i ) of Ci ne- Wor kers a nd Ci ne ma Theat r e Wor kers ( Reg ul ati on of E mpl oy me nt) Act, 1981.
(f ) “ a udi o- vi s ual wor ker” me a ns a pers o n, who i s e mpl oye d, di r ectl y or t hr o ug h a ny c o nt r act or, i n or i n c o nnecti o n w i t h t he a udi o- vi s ual pr o d ucti o n t o wor k as a n arti st i ncl udi ng act or, musi ci a n, si nger, a nc hor, ne ws r e a der, da ncer, d ubbi ng arti st or st unt pers o n or t o do a ny wor k, s kill e d, uns kill e d, ma nual, s uper vi s or y, t ec hni cal, arti sti c or ot her w i s e, a nd hi s r e muner ati o n w i t h r es pect t o s uc h e mpl oy me nt i n or i n c o nnecti o n w i t h t he pr o d ucti o n of a udi o- vi s ual does not e xcee d, wher e r e muner ati o n i s by way of mo nt hl y wages or wher e s uc h r e muner ati o ni s by way of l u mp s u m , i n e ac h c as e, s uc h a mo unt as may be noti fi e d by t he Ce nt r al Gover n me nt;
Corresponding Provision : Secti on 2( c ) of Ci ne- Wor kers a nd Ci ne ma Theat r e Wor kers ( Reg ul ati on of E mpl oy me nt) Act, 1981.
( g ) “ ba nki ng c o mpa ny” me a ns a ba nki ng c o mpa ny as defi ne d i n cl a us e ( c ) of s ecti o n 5 of t he Ba nki ng Re g ul ati o n Act, 1949 ( 10 of 1949) a nd i ncl udes t he Ex port- I mport Ba nk of I ndi a, t he I n - d ust ri al Re c o nst r ucti o n Ba nk of I n di a, t he S mal l I n d ust ri es De vel op me nt Ba nk of I ndi a est a bli s he d under s ecti o n 3 of t he S mall I nd ust ri es De vel op me nt Ba nk of I ndi a Act, 1989 ( 39 of
S.2
OCC UPATI ONAL S AF ET Y , HEALT H & WORKI NG C ONDI TI ONS C ODE , 2020 1.14
1989), t he Res er ve Ba nk of I ndi a, t he St at e Ba nk of I ndi a, a c orr es po ndi ng ne w ba nk c o nsti t ut e d under s ecti o n 3 of t he Ba nki ng Co mpa ni es ( Ac q ui si ti o n a nd Tr a nsf er of Undert a ki ngs) Act, 1970 ( 5 of 1970), a c orr es po ndi ng ne w ba nk c o nsti t ut e d under s ecti o n 3 of t he Ba nki ng Co mpa ni es ( Ac q ui si ti o n a nd Tr a nsf er of Undert a ki ngs) Act, 1980 ( 40 of 1980);
(h ) “ b uil di ng or ot her c o nst r ucti o n wor k” me a ns t he c o nst r ucti o n, al - t er ati o n, r e pai rs, mai nt e na nce or de moli ti o n i n r el ati o n t o b uil di ngs, st r eet s, r oa ds, r ail ways, t r a mways, ai rfi el ds, i rri gati o n, dr ai nage, e mba nk me nt a nd navi gati o n wor ks, fl oo d c o nt r ol wor ks (i ncl udi ng st or m wat er dr ai nage wor ks), ge ner ati o n, t r a ns m i ssi o n a nd di st ri - b uti o n of po wer, wat er wor ks (i ncl udi ng c ha nnel s f or di st ri b uti o n of wat er), oil a nd gas i nst all ati o ns, el ect ri c li nes, i nt er net t o wers, w i r el ess, r a di o, t el evi si on, t el e phone, t el egr aph a nd overs eas c o mmu - ni c ati o ns, da ms, c a nal s, r es er v oi rs, wat er c o urs es, t unnel s, bri dges, vi a d uct s, a q ua- d uct s, pi peli nes, t o wers, c ooli ng t o wers, t r a ns m i ssi o n t o wers a nd s uc h ot her wor k as may be s peci fi e d i n t hi s be hal f by t he Ce nt r al Gover n me nt, by noti fi c ati o n, b ut does not i ncl ude b uil di ng or ot her c o nst r ucti o n wor k whi c h i s r el at e d t o a ny f act or y or m i ne a nd t he b uil di ng or ot her c o nst r ucti o n wor k wher e s uc h wor k i s f or o wn r esi de nti al p ur pos es of a n i ndi vi d ual or gr o up of i ndi vi d ual s f or t hei r o wn r esi de nce a nd t he t ot al c ost of s uc h wor k does not e xcee d r upees fi ft y l a k hs or s uc h hi g her a mo unt a nd e mpl oyi ng mor e t ha n s uc h n u mber of wor kers as may be noti fi e d by t he a ppr opri at e Gover n me nt;
Corresponding Provision : Secti on 2(1 )(d ) of Buil di ng a nd Ot her Const r ucti on Wor kers ( Reg ul ati on of E mpl oy me nt a nd Condi ti ons of Ser vi ce) Act, 1996. (i ) “ b uil di ng wor ker” me a ns a pers o n who i s e mpl oye d t o do a ny hi g hl y s ki l l e d, s ki l l e d, s e m i - s ki l l e d or uns ki l l e d, ma n ual, t e c h - ni c al or cl eri c al wor k f or hi r e or r e war d, whet her t he t er ms of s uc h e mpl oy me nt ar e e x pr es s or i mpl i e d, i n c o n ne cti o n w i t h a ny b uil di ng or ot her c o nst r ucti o n wor k, b ut does not i ncl ude a ny s uc h pers o n who i s e mpl oye d mai nl y i n a ma nageri al or s uper vi s or y or a d m i ni st r ati ve c a paci t y;
Corresponding Provision : Secti on 2(1 )( e ) of Buil di ng a nd Ot her Const r ucti on Wor kers ( Reg ul ati on of E mpl oy me nt a nd Condi ti ons of Ser vi ce) Act, 1996
(j ) “ c ar g o” i ncl udes a nyt hi ng c arri e d or t o be c arri e d i n a s hi p or ot her vess el, or ve hi cl e;
Corresponding Provision : Secti on 2(b ) of Doc k Wor kers ( Saf et y, Heal t h a nd Wel f ar e) Act, 1986
(k ) “ Chi ef I ns pect orcum - Facili t at or” me a ns a Chi ef I ns pect orcumFacili t at or a ppoi nt e d under s ub- s ecti o n ( 5) of s ecti o n 34;
Corresponding Provision : Secti on 2(1 )(d ) of M i nes Act, 1952/s ecti on 2( c ) of Doc k Wor kers ( Saf et y, Heal t h a nd Wel f ar e) Act, 1986/s ecti on 2(1 )(f ) of Buil di ng
C H I : P RELI MI NA RY
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S. 2
a nd Ot her Const r ucti on Wor kers ( Reg ul ati on of E mpl oy me nt a nd Condi ti ons of Ser vi ce) Act, 1996.
(l ) “ c o mpet e nt pers o n”, me a ns a pers o n or a n i nsti t uti o n r ec og ni s e d as s uc h by t he Chi ef I ns pect orcum - Facili t at or f or t he p ur pos es of c arr yi ng o ut t est s, e xa m i nati o ns a ndi ns pecti o ns r e q ui r e d t o be do ne i n a n est a bli s h me nt havi ng r e gar d t o
(i ) t he q uali fi c ati o ns a nd e x peri e nce of t he pers o n a nd f acili ti es avail a bl e at hi s di s pos al; or
(ii ) t he q uali fi c ati o ns a nd e x peri e nce of t he pers o ns e mpl oye d i n s uc h i nsti t uti o n a nd f acili ti es avail a bl e t her ei n:
Provided t hat i n cas e of m i nes t he c o mpet e nt pers o n i ncl udes s uc h ot her pers o n who i s a ut hori s e d by t he ma nager r ef err e d t o i n s ecti o n
67 t o s uper vi s e or perf or m a ny wor k, or t o s uper vi s e t he oper ati o n of mac hi ner y, pl a nt or e q ui p me nt a nd i s r es po nsi bl e f or s uc h duti es as - si g ne d t o hi m a nd al s o i ncl udes a s hot fi r er or bl ast er;
Corresponding Provision : Secti on 2( ca ) of Fact ori es Act, 1948 ( m ) “ c o nt r act l a bo ur” me a ns a wor ker who s hall be dee me d t o be e m - pl oye d i n or i n c o nnecti o n w i t h t he wor k of a n est a bli s h me nt whe n he i s hi r e d i n or i n c o nnecti o n w i t h s uc h wor k by or t hr o ug h a c o n - t r act or, w i t h or w i t ho ut t he k no w l e dge of t he pri nci pal e mpl oyer a nd i ncl udes i nt er- St at e m i gr a nt wor ker b ut does not i ncl ude a wor ker ( ot her t ha n part ti me e mpl oyee) who i s r e g ul arl y e mpl oye d by t he c o nt r act or f or a ny acti vi t y of hi s est a bli s h me nt a nd hi s e mpl oy me nt i s g over ne d by mut uall y acce pt e d st a ndar ds of t he c o ndi ti o ns of e mpl oy me nt (i ncl udi ng e ngage me nt o n per ma ne nt basi s), a nd get s peri o di c al i ncr e me nt i n t he pay, s oci al s ec uri t y c over age a nd ot her wel f ar e be nefi t s i n acc or da nce w i t h t he l a w f or t he ti me bei ng i n f or ce i n s uc h e mpl oy me nt;
Corresponding Provision : Secti on 2( e ) of Bee di a nd Ci gar Wor kers ( Condi ti ons of E mpl oy me nt) Act, 1966/s ecti on 2(1 )(b ) of Cont r act La bo ur ( Reg ul ati on a nd Aboli ti on) Act, 1970
( n ) “ c o nt r act or”, i n r el ati o n t o a n est a bli s h me nt, me a ns a pers o n, who (i ) undert a kes t o pr o d uce a gi ve n r es ul t f or t he est a bli s h me nt, ot her t ha n a mer e s uppl y of g oo ds or arti cl es of ma n uf act ur e t o s uc h est a bli s h me nt, t hr o ug h c o nt r act l a bo ur; or (ii ) s uppli es c o nt r act l a bo ur f or a ny wor k of t he est a bli s h me nt as mer e h u ma n r es o ur ce, a nd i ncl udes a s ub- c o nt r act or;
Corresponding Provision : Secti on 2(d ) of Bee di a nd Ci gar Wor kers ( Condi ti ons of E mpl oy me nt) Act, 1966/s ecti on 2(1 )( c ) of Cont r act La bo ur ( Reg ul ati on a nd Aboli ti on) Act, 1970/s ecti on 2(1 )(b ) of I nt er- St at e M i gr a nt Wor k me n ( Reg ul ati on of E mpl oy me nt a nd Condi ti ons of Ser vi ce) Act, 1979/s ecti on 2( e ) of Ci ne- Wor kers a nd Ci ne ma Theat r e Wor kers ( Reg ul ati on of E mpl oy me nt) Act, 1981/s ecti on
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2(1 )( g ) of Buil di ng a nd Ot her Const r ucti on Wor kers ( Reg ul ati on of E mpl oy me nt a nd Condi ti ons of Ser vi ce) Act, 1996.
( o ) “ c o nt r oll e d i nd ust r y ” me a ns a ny i nd ust r y t he c o nt r ol of whi c h by t he Ce nt r al Gover n me nt has bee n decl ar e d under a ny Ce nt r al Act i n t he p ubli c i nt er est;
Corresponding Provision : Secti on 2(1 )(d ) of Cont r act La bo ur ( Reg ul ati on a nd Aboli ti on) Act, 1970/s ecti on 2(1 )( c ) of I nt er- St at e M i gr a nt Wor k me n ( Reg ul ati on of E mpl oy me nt a nd Condi ti ons of Ser vi ce) Act, 1979
( p ) “ c or e acti vi t y of a n est a bli s h me nt” me a ns a ny acti vi t y f or whi c h t he est a bli s h me nt i s s et up a nd i ncl udes a ny acti vi t y whi c h i s ess e nti al or necess ar y t o s uc h acti vi t y:
Provided t hat t he f oll o w i ng s hall not be c o nsi der e d as ess e nti al or necess ar y acti vi t y, i f t he est a bli s h me nt i s not s et up f or s uc h acti vi t y, na mel y:
(i ) s a ni t ati o n wor ks, i ncl udi ng s wee pi ng, cl e a ni ng, d usti ng a nd c oll ecti o n a nd di s pos al of all ki nds of wast e;
(ii ) wat c h a nd war d s er vi ces i ncl udi ng s ec uri t y s er vi ces;
(iii ) c a nt ee n a nd c at eri ng s er vi ces;
(iv ) l oa di ng a nd unl oa di ng oper ati o ns;
( v ) r unni ng of hos pi t al s, e d uc ati o nal a nd t r ai ni ng I nsti t uti o ns, g uest ho us es, cl ubs a nd t he li ke wher e t he y ar e i n t he nat ur e of s upport s er vi ces of a n est a bli s h me nt;
(vi ) c o uri er s er vi ces whi c h ar e i n nat ur e of s upport s er vi ces of a n est a bli s h me nt;
(vii ) ci vil a nd ot her c o nst r ucti o nal wor ks, i ncl udi ng mai nt e na nce;
(viii ) gar de ni ng a nd mai nt e na nce of l a wns a nd ot her li ke acti vi ti es;
(ix ) ho us e kee pi ng a nd l a undr y s er vi ces, a nd ot her li ke acti vi ti es, wher e t hes e ar e i n nat ur e of s upport s er vi ces of a n est a bli s hme nt;
( x ) t r a ns port s er vi ces i ncl udi ng, a mb ul a nce s er vi ces;
(xi ) a ny acti vi t y of i nt er m i tt e nt nat ur e e ve n i f t hat c o nsti t ut es a c or e acti vi t y of a n est a bli s h me nt;
( q ) “ day” me a ns a peri o d of t we nt y- f o ur ho urs be gi nni ng at m i d- ni g ht;
Corresponding Provision : Secti on 2( e ) of Fact ori es Act, 1948/s ecti on 2(d ) of Pl a nt ati ons La bo ur Act, 1951/s ecti on 2(1 )(f ) of M i nes Act, 1952/s ecti on 2(d ) of Mot or Tr a ns port Wor kers Act, 1961.
( r ) “ Di st ri ct Magi st r at e”, i n r el ati o n t o a ny m i ne, me a ns t he Di st ri ct Magi st r at e or t he De p ut y Co mm i ssi o ner, as t he c as e may be, who i s vest e d w i t h t he e xec uti ve po wers of mai nt ai ni ng l a w a nd or der i n t he r e ve n ue di st ri ct i n whi c h t he m i ne i s si t uat e d:
Provided t hat i n c as e of a m i ne, whi c hi s si t uat e d partl y i n o ne di st ri ct a nd partl y i n a not her, t he Di st ri ct Magi st r at e f or t he p ur pos e s hall
1.17
C H I : P RELI MI NA RY S. 2
be t he Di st ri ct Magi st r at e a ut hori s e d i n t hi s be hal f by t he Ce nt r al Gover n me nt;
Corresponding Provision : Secti on 2(1 )( g ) of M i nes Act, 1952.
( s ) “ doc k wor k” me a ns a ny wor k i n or w i t hi n t he vi ci ni t y of a ny port i n c o nnecti o n w i t h, or r e q ui r e d f or, or i nci de nt al t o, t he l oa di ng, un - l oa di ng, move me nt or st or age of c ar g oes i nt o or f r o ms hi p or ot her vess el, port, doc k, st or age pl ace or l a ndi ng pl ace, a nd i ncl udes
(i ) wor ki n c onnecti on w i t ht he pr e par ati on of s hi ps or ot her vess el s f or r ecei pt or di s c har ge of c ar g oes or l e avi ng port;
(ii ) all r e pai ri ng a nd mai nt e na nce pr ocess es c o nnect e d w i t h a ny hol d, t a nk st r uct ur e or li fti ng mac hi ner y or a ny ot her st or age ar e a o n boar d t he s hi p or i n t he doc ks; a nd
(iii ) c hi ppi ng, pai nti ng or cl e a ni ng of a ny hol d, t a nk, st r uct ur e or li fti ng mac hi ner y or a ny ot her st or age ar e a o n boar d t he s hi p or i n t he doc ks;
Corresponding Provision : Secti on 2(d ) of Doc k Wor kers ( Saf et y, Heal t h a nd
Wel f ar e) Act, 1986
( t ) “ e mpl oyee” me a ns,
(i ) i n r es pect of a n est a bli s h me nt, a pers o n ( ot her t ha n a n a ppr e nti ce e ngage d under t he Appr e nti ces Act, 1961 ( 52 of 1961)) e mpl oye d o n wages by a n est a bli s h me nt t o do a ny s kill e d, s e m is kill e d, uns kill e d, ma nual, oper ati onal, s uper vi s or y, ma nageri al, a d m i ni st r ati ve, t ec hni c al, cl eri c al or a ny ot her wor k, whet her t he t er ms of e mpl oy me nt be e x pr ess or i mpli e d; a nd
(ii ) a pers on decl ar e dt o be a n e mpl oyee by t he appr opri at e Gover nme nt, b ut does not i ncl ude a ny me mber of t he Ar me d For ces of t he Uni o n:
Provided t hat not w i t hst a ndi ng a nyt hi ng c o nt ai ne d i n t hi s cl a us e, i n cas e of a m i ne a pers o n i s s ai d t o be “ e mpl oye d” i n a m i ne who wor ks as t he ma nager or who wor ks under a ppoi nt me nt by t he o wner, age nt or ma nager of t he m i ne or w i t h t he k no w l e dge of t he ma nager, whet her f or wages or not
( a ) i n a ny m i ni ng oper ati o n (i ncl udi ng t he c o nc o m i t a nt oper ati o ns of ha ndli ng a nd t r a ns port of m i ner al s up t o t he poi nt of di s pat c h a nd of gat heri ng s a nd a nd t r a ns port t her e of t o t he m i ne);
(b ) i n oper ati o ns or s er vi ces r el ati ng t o t he devel op me nt of t he m i ne i ncl udi ng c o nst r ucti o n of pl a nt t her ei n but excl udi ng c o nst r uc - ti o n of buil di ngs, r oa ds, well s a nd a ny buil di ng wor k not di r ectl y c o nnect e d w i t h a ny exi sti ng or f ut ur e m i ni ng oper ati o ns;
( c ) i n oper ati ng, s er vi ci ng, mai nt ai ni ng or r e pai ri ng a ny part of a ny mac hi ner y us e d i n or a bo ut t he m i ne;
(d ) i n oper ati o ns, w i t hi n t he pr e m i s es of t he m i ne, of l oa di ng f or di s - pat c h of m i ner al s;
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OCC UPATI ONAL S AF ET Y , HEALT H & WORKI NG C ONDI TI ONS C ODE , 2020 1.18
( e ) i n a ny offi ce of m i ne;
(f ) i n a ny wel f ar e, heal t h, s a ni t ar y or c o ns er va ncy s er vi ces r e q ui r e d t o be pr ovi de d under t hi s Co de r el ati ng t o m i ne, or wat c h a nd war d, w i t hi n t he pr e m i s es of t he m i ne excl udi ng r esi de nti al ar ea; or
( g ) i n a ny ki nd of wor k, what s oever, whi c hi s pr e par at or y or i nci de nt al t o, or c o nnect e d w i t h, m i ni ng oper ati o ns;
Corresponding Provision : Secti on 2(f ) of Bee di a nd Ci gar Wor kers ( Condi ti ons of E mpl oy me nt) Act, 1966/s ecti on 2(1 )(h ) of M i nes Act, 1952/s ecti on 2( c ) of Wor ki ng J o ur nali st s a nd Ot her Ne ws paper E mpl oyees ( Condi ti ons of Ser vi ce) a nd M i s cell a ne o us Pr ovi si ons Act, 1955 ( u ) “ e mpl oyer” mea ns a pers on who e mpl oys, whet her di r ectl y or t hr o ug h a ny pers o n, or o n hi s be hal f, or o n be hal f of a ny pers o n, o ne or mor e e mpl oyees i n hi s est a bli s h me nt a nd wher e t he est a bli s h me nt i s c arri e d o n by a ny De part me nt of t he Ce nt r al Gover n me nt or t he St at e Gover n me nt, t he a ut hori t y s peci fi e d, by t he he a d of s uc h De - part me nt, i n t hi s be hal f or wher e no a ut hori t y, i s s o s peci fi e d, t he he a d of t he De part me nt a nd i n r el ati o n t o a n est a bli s h me nt c arri e d o n by a l oc al a ut hori t y, t he Chi ef Exec uti ve of t hat a ut hori t y, a nd i ncl udes,
(i ) i n r el ati o n t o a n est a bli s h me nt whi c h i s a f act or y, t he occ upi er of t he f act or y;
(ii ) i n r el ati o n t o m i ne, t he o wner of t he m i ne, age nt or ma nager r ef err e d t o i n s ecti o n 67;
(iii ) i n r el ati o n t o a ny ot her est a bli s h me nt, t he pers o n who, or t he a ut hori t y whi c h has ul ti mat e c o nt r ol over t he aff ai rs of t he es - t a bli s h me nt a nd wher e s ai d aff ai rs ar e e nt r ust e d t o a ma nager or ma nagi ng di r ect or, s uc h ma nager or ma nagi ng di r ect or;
(iv ) c o nt r act or; a nd
( v ) l e gal r e pr es e nt ati ve of a dece as e d e mpl oyer;
Corresponding Provision : Secti on 2(1 )(i ) of Buil di ng a nd Ot her Const r ucti on Wor kers ( Reg ul ati on of E mpl oy me nt a nd Condi ti ons of Ser vi ce) Act, 1996/ s ecti on 2( g ) of Bee di a nd Ci gar Wor kers ( Condi ti ons of E mpl oy me nt) Act, 1966/ s ecti on 2(f ) of Doc k Wor kers ( Saf et y, Heal t h a nd Wel f ar e) Act, 1986/s ecti on 2( e ) of Mot or Tr a ns port Wor kers Act, 1961/s ecti on 2( e ) of Pl a nt ati ons La bo ur Act, 1951
( v ) “ est a bli s h me nt” mea ns
(i ) a pl ace wher e a ny i ndust r y, t r a de, busi ness, ma nuf act uri ng or occ upati o ni s carri e d o ni n whi c h t e n or mor e wor kers ar e e mpl oye d; or
(ii ) mot or t r ans port undert aki ng, ne ws paper est abli s h me nt, a udi o- vi deo pr o ducti o n, buil di ng a nd ot her c o nst r ucti o n wor k or pl a nt ati o n, i n whi c h t e n or mor e wor kers ar e e mpl oye d; or
C H I : P RELI MI NA RY
1.19
S.2
(iii ) f act or y, f or t he p ur pos e of Cha pt er II, i n whi c h t e n or mor e wor kers ar e e mpl oye d, not w i t hst a ndi ng t he t hr es hol d of wor kers pr ovi de d i n cl a us e ( w ); or
(iv ) a m i ne or port or vi ci ni t y of port wher e doc k wor k i s carri e d o ut:
Provided t hat i n s ub- cl a us es (i ) a nd (ii ), t he t hr es hol d of wor ker s peci fi e d t her ei n s hall not be a ppli ca bl e i n cas e of s uc h est a bli s hme nt or cl ass of est a bli s h me nt s, i n whi c h s uc h haz ar do us or li f e t hr eat e ni ng acti vi t y i s bei ng carri e d o n, as may be noti fi e d by t he Ce nt r al Gover n me nt:
Provided further t hat not w i t hst a ndi ng a ny t hr es hol d pr ovi de d i n t he defi ni ti o n of f act or y i n cl a us e ( w ), f or t he p ur pos es of Cha pt er II, t he est a bli s h me nt s peci fi e d i n s ub- cl a us e (i ) or s ub- cl a us e (ii ) or s ub- cl a us e (iii ) s hall be dee me d t o be t he est a bli s h me nt w i t hi n t he mea ni ng of t hi s cl a us e t ho ug h t he nu mber of e mpl oyees e mpl oye d ar e t e n or mor e;
Corresponding Provision : Secti on 2(1 )( e ) of Cont r act La bo ur ( Reg ul ati on a nd Aboli ti on) Act, 1970/s ecti on 2( a ) of Sal es Pr o moti on E mpl oyees ( Condi ti ons of Ser vi ce) Act, 1976/s ecti on 2(1 )(j ) of Buil di ng a nd Ot her Const r ucti on Wor kers ( Reg ul ati on of E mpl oy me nt a nd Condi ti ons of Ser vi ce) Act, 1996/s ecti on 2(h ) of Bee di a nd Ci gar Wor kers ( Condi ti ons of E mpl oy me nt) Act, 1966/s ecti on 2(1 ) (d ) of I nt er- St at e M i gr a nt Wor k me n ( Reg ul ati on of E mpl oy me nt a nd Condi ti ons of Ser vi ce) Act, 1979
( w ) “ f act or y ” me a ns a ny pr e m i s es i ncl udi ng t he pr eci nct s t her e of (i ) wher e o n t we nt y or mor e wor kers ar e wor ki ng, or wer e wor ki ng o n a ny day of t he pr ece di ng t wel ve mo nt hs, a nd i n a ny part of whi c h a ma n uf act uri ng pr ocess i s bei ng c arri e d o n w i t h t he ai d of po wer, or i s or di naril y s o c arri e d o n; or (ii ) wher e o n f ort y or mor e wor kers ar e wor ki ng, or wer e wor ki ng o n a ny day of t he pr ece di ng t wel ve mo nt hs, a nd i n a ny part of whi c h a ma n uf act uri ng pr ocess i s bei ng c arri e d o n w i t ho ut t he ai d of po wer, or i s or di naril y s o c arri e d o n, b ut does not i ncl ude a mo bil e uni t bel o ngi ng t o t he ar me d f or ces of t he Uni o n, r ail ways r unni ng s he d or a hot el, r est a ur a nt or e ati ng pl ace:
Provided t hat wher e under a ny l a w f or t he ti me bei ng i n f or ce i n a St at e i mme di at el y bef or e t he c o mme nce me nt of t hi s Co de, t he n u mber of wor kers s peci fi e d i s mor e or l ess t ha n t he n u mber s pec - i fi e d i n cl a us e (i ) or cl a us e (ii ), t he n, t he n u mber s peci fi e d under t he l a w of t he St at e s hall pr e vail i n t hat St at e till i t i s a me nde d by t he c o mpet e nt Le gi sl at ur e.
Explanation I . For c o mp uti ng t he n u mber of wor kers f or t he p urpos es of t hi s cl a us e all t he wor kers (i n di ff er e nt gr o ups a nd r el ays) i n a day s hall be t a ke n i nt o acc o unt
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY HEALTH AND WORKING
CONDITIONS CODE 2020 WITH OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY HEALTH AND WORKING CONDITIONS (CENTRAL)
RULES 2026 – BARE ACT WITH SECTION NOTES
AUTHOR : Taxmann's Editorial Board
PUBLISHER : Taxmann
DATE OF PUBLICATION : May 2026
EDITION : 2026 Edition
ISBN NO : 9789375618263
NO. OF PAGES : 604
BINDING TYPE : Paperback
Rs. 595
DESCRIPTION
Occupational Safety Health and Working Conditions Code 2020 with Occupational Safety Health and Working Conditions (Central) Rules 2026 [Bare Act with Section Notes] by Taxmann is a consolidated, application-ready statutory publication presenting India's occupational safety, health and working conditions law in its complete, post-enforcement form. The OSHWC Code—brought into force with effect from 21st November 2025—subsumes and replaces thirteen labour-protection statutes: the Factories Act 1948, the Mines Act 1952, the Dock Workers (Safety, Health and Welfare) Act 1986, the BOCW Act 1996, the Plantations Labour Act 1951, the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act 1970, the Inter-State Migrant Workmen Act 1979, the Working Journalists Act 1955, the Working Journalists (Fixation of Rates of Wages) Act 1958, the Motor Transport Workers Act 1961, the Sales Promotion Employees Act 1976, the Beedi and Cigar Workers Act 1966, and the Cine-Workers and Cinema Theatre Workers Act 1981, reconstituting them into a single architecture for registration, employer-employee duties, safety and health standards, working conditions, welfare, hours of work and leave, employment of women, contract labour, inter-state migrant workers, and sector-specific regulation. This 2026 Edition introduces, as its core editorial feature, Section Notes—identifying the corresponding provision of the repealed Act beneath each statutory provision—together with relevant Case Laws, enabling practitioners to translate the jurisprudence of thirteen legacy statutes into the new Code at the clause level. The publication is completed by the notified OSHWC (Central) Rules 2026, a Comparative Study, two-way cross-reference Tables, a Subject Index, Notifications, FAQs on all four Labour Codes, and a Compliance Handbook—making it a complete single-volume operational reference. The law stated in this book is updated as on 8th May 2026.
This publication is intended for users who apply, interpret, administer, or transition into the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code regime, including:
• Labour & Employment Law Practitioners
• Occupiers, Factory Managers, Mine Owners and Agents, Dock Employers, Plantation Employers, Principal Employers, and Contractors
• Corporate HR Heads, Personnel Managers, IR Managers, and Compliance Officers
• Safety Officers, Welfare Officers, Medical Officers, and Certifying Surgeons
• Inspector-cum-Facilitators, Labour Commissioners, Chief Inspectors, Welfare Officers
• Newspaper Establishments, Audio-Visual Production Houses, Sales Promotion Employers, Motor Transport Undertakings, and Beedi and Cigar Manufacturers
• Building and Other Construction Workers' Welfare Board Officials and Cess Functionaries
• Trade Unions, Worker Representatives, and Inter-State Migrant Worker Representatives
• Chartered Accountants, Company Secretaries, and Cost Accountants
• Law Students, Academicians, and Policy Researchers
The Present Publication is the 2026 Edition, covering the amended and updated text of the Occupational Safety Health and Working Conditions Code [Act No. 37 of 2020] with Rules, with the following noteworthy features:
•[Section Notes – Core USP] Corresponding-provision notes placed immediately beneath each statutory provision, identifying the source section in the thirteen repealed Acts—turning the Bare Act into a portability bridge between the legacy regime and the new Code at the clause level
•[Case Laws Beneath the Section] Relevant judicial precedents are reproduced under each section to confirm interpretations carried forward from the repealed Acts and provide authoritative reference for adjudication, licensing disputes, and prosecutions
•[Two-Way Statutory Cross-Reference Tables] A master Code-to-repealed-laws table together with thirteen reverse-direction tables—one for each repealed Act—enabling readers to locate provisions in either direction without consulting separate sources
•[Front-Placed Comparative Study] A subject-wise and clause-wise comparison between the OSHWC Code 2020 and the thirteen repealed Acts, identifying retained provisions, substantive departures, unified registration, harmonised definitions, threshold revisions, the consolidated contract-la bour and inter-state migrant framework, the expanded audio-visual worker coverage, gender-neutral night-shift provisions, the new Inspector-cum-Fa cilitator architecture, and consciously omitted concepts
•[OSHWC (Central) Rules 2026] The notified Central Rules superseding subordinate legislation under the thirteen subsumed regimes, providing the operative procedural framework for registration, licensing, returns, registers, safety committees, welfare facilities, leave, and inspection
•[Three Schedules to the Code] The First Schedule (applicability thresholds and listed industries), Second Schedule (matters for rule-making on health, safety, welfare and working conditions), and Third Schedule (notifiable occupational diseases)—reproduced as part of the statutory text
•[Subject Index] A comprehensive index enabling navigation by concept, term, sector, defined expression, or compliance area
•[FAQs on the Four Labour Codes] A consolidated FAQ section across the Code on Wages, Industrial Relations Code, OSHWC Code, and Code on Social Security, covering registration, definitional changes, thresholds, contract labour, hours and overtime, employment of women, crèche facility, notifiable diseases, and worker protection
•[Compliance Handbook for Employers under the Four Labour Codes (Central Government Sphere)] A practitioner-oriented handbook covering wage compliance, working hours and overtime, registers and records, gender-equal treatment, occupational safety, social-security contributions, and statutory deadlines—converting the legal framework into operational checklists
•[Statement of Objects, Notes on Clauses, and Appendix] Includes the Statement of Objects and Reasons, section-wise Notes on Clauses, and an Appendix reproducing provisions of other Acts referred to within the Code—closing the legislative-history loop
•[Authoritative Bare Act Presentation] Maintains Taxmann's Bare Act editorial integrity—pure statutory text supported by Section Notes, Case Laws, and comparative context, without interpretational dilution