The OSH & WC Code, 2020 consolidates 13 labour laws into one unified legislation governing occupational safety, health, working conditions, and welfare of workers, namely:

• Factories Act, 1948
• Mines Act, 1952
• Dock Workers (Safety, Health and Welfare) Act, 1986
• Building & Other Construction Workers Act, 1996
• Contract Labour (Regulation & Abolition) Act, 1970
• Inter-State Migrant Workers Act, 1979
• Working Journalists & Newspaper Employees Act, 1955
• Motor Transport Workers Act, 1961
• Sales Promotion Employees Act, 1976
• Cine Workers & Cinema Theatre Workers Act, 1981
• Beedi & Cigar Workers Act, 1966
• Plantation Labour Act, 1951
• Working Journalists (Fixation of Wages) Act, 1958

The Code aims to:

• Ensure safe and healthy working environments.
• Standardize working conditions across sectors.
• Protect contract workers, migrant workers, gig and unorganised workers.
• Promote digital transparency through a single OSH portal.
• Reduce compliance burden by consolidation of laws.

1. Scope & Coverage

• Applicable to all establishments subject to prescribed thresholds.
• Covers factories, mines, docks, plantations, motor transport, building & construction, and contract labour.
• Special focus on women workers, inter-state migrant workers, and contract labour.

2. Employer Duties

• Ensure a safe and hazard-free workplace.
• Provide free health check-ups to specified workers.
• Maintain prescribed health and safety standards, equipment, and protective gear.
• Report accidents, dangerous occurrences, and occupational diseases.
• Provide working hours, leave, and welfare facilities as per the Code.
• Maintain registers and submit online returns.

3. Employee Duties

• Follow safety protocols and use protective equipment.
• Report unsafe conditions immediately.
• Avoid misuse of safety devices.

4. Safety & Health Provisions

• Every establishment must ensure:
  • Cleanliness and hygiene
  • Proper ventilation
  • Safe machinery and work processes
  • Drinking water and sanitation facilities
  • Adequate lighting
  • Protection from hazardous substances
• Mandatory risk assessment and safety audits for hazardous activities.
• Mandatory annual health check-ups for notified workers.

5. Working Hours & Leave

• Daily and weekly working hours to be prescribed by the Government.
• Maximum six-day working week with a mandatory weekly rest day.
• Overtime permitted with additional wages.
• Night work allowed for women with prescribed safety safeguards.

6. Welfare Facilities

Employers must provide:

• Canteen facilities in large establishments
• Washrooms and crèche facilities
• First-aid, ambulance rooms, and medical facilities
• Shelters and restrooms
• Welfare officers based on manpower thresholds

7. Special Provisions for Specific Sectors

Contract Labour

• Single common licence for contractors, valid across India.
• Contractor responsible for wages, safety, and working conditions.

Inter-State Migrant Workers

• Workers earning up to the notified wage may register as migrant workers.
• Employer must provide:
  • Journey allowance
  • Toll-free helpline
  • Accommodation at large worksites
  • Medical facilities

Building & Construction Workers

• Mandatory safety measures and protective equipment.
• Hazard- and height-specific safety standards.

Factories

• Updated definition of factory based on workforce strength and power usage.
• Enhanced emergency preparedness and hazard management norms.

Mines & Docks

• Strict accident reporting.
• Mandatory safety audits.
• Regulated working hours.

8. Licensing & Registration

• Unified one-time registration for establishments.
• Single licence covering multiple activities.
• Completely online licensing, renewal, and returns.

9. Offences & Penalties

• Penalties for:
  • Unsafe working conditions
  • Failure to provide welfare facilities
  • Non-reporting of accidents
  • Engaging workers without valid licences
• Higher penalties for repeat violations.
• Compounding permitted for specified offences.