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The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020

Enacted 2020Ministry of Labour & EmploymentUpdated 15 Mar 2024

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Overview

Consolidates 13 central labour laws related to occupational safety, health, and working conditions into a single comprehensive code. Replaces the Factories Act 1948, Mines Act 1952, BOCW Act 1996, Contract Labour Act 1970, and 9 other laws. Applies to establishments with 10 or more workers.

Key Provisions

Consolidates 13 laws — Factories Act, Mines Act, BOCW Act, Contract Labour Act, and 9 others
Universal health and safety standards across all covered sectors
Annual health check-up for workers above 45 years of age
Mandatory safety committees in establishments with 500+ workers
Digital registration and compliance portal (Shram Suvidha)
Enhanced penalties — up to ₹2 lakh for first offence, ₹3 lakh for repeat
Free annual health examination for workers in hazardous processes
Working hours: 8 hours/day, 48 hours/week; overtime at double rate

Applicability

Factories with 10+ workers (with power) or 20+ workers (without power)
Mines — coal, metalliferous, and oil mines
Construction sites with 10+ workers
Plantations, beedi/cigar establishments, contract labour establishments
Inter-state migrant workers, audio-visual production establishments

Amendment History

2024

Additional states notified rules; implementation expanded.

2023

Maharashtra, Karnataka, Rajasthan, and other states notified their OSHWC Rules.

2021

OSHWC (Central) Rules, 2020 notified; states directed to frame complementary rules.

2020

Original enactment

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