“The OSH Code isn’t just a compliance checklist — it’s a transformative step toward structured, accountable, and safer workplaces in India.”

What is the OSH Code?

India’s industrial and workplace safety laws have historically been fragmented across multiple acts, including the Factories Act of 1948, the Mines Act of 1952, and others. Recognizing the need for modernization and simplification, the Indian government introduced the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 — widely known as the OSH Code.

This unified legislation consolidates 13 existing labor laws into one framework. It is designed to streamline compliance, promote transparency, and enhance the safety, health, and welfare of workers across industries. Though passed in Parliament in 2020, the OSH Code is awaiting full implementation as states finalize their respective rules.

For safety professionals in India, understanding the OSH Code is critical to preparing for the future of workplace compliance and operational safety.

Key Features of the OSH Code

The OSH Code brings several notable changes:

1. Standardized Safety and Health Requirements

The Code establishes uniform safety and health standards for all establishments. Employers are required to:

• Provide adequate safety equipment
• Conduct periodic risk assessments
• Schedule annual medical check-ups, especially in hazardous roles
• Offer regular safety training and supervision

These provisions are particularly significant for high-risk sectors like construction, mining, chemicals, and manufacturing.

2. Improved Welfare Provisions

The Code mandates basic welfare facilities at all workplaces, such as:

• Clean drinking water
• Restrooms and sanitation
• Adequate lighting and ventilation
• First-aid support

For larger establishments, facilities such as canteens and locker rooms are compulsory. Importantly, the OSH Code includes special protections for vulnerable worker groups, like interstate migrant workers, by mandating registration and access to welfare benefits.

3. Regulation of Contract Labor

The Code restricts the use of contract labor in “core activities” of an establishment. This provision aims to prevent companies from outsourcing hazardous work simply to shift responsibility. Whether a worker is full-time, part-time, or contractual, the employer is equally accountable for their safety.

4. Mandatory Safety Officers and Committees

Depending on the size and type of the establishment, the OSH Code requires:

• Appointment of qualified safety officers
• Formation of Safety Committees with worker and management representation

For instance, factories with over 500 workers must have both a safety committee and officer in place. These measures aim to institutionalize employee participation in safety governance.

5. Inspector-cum-Facilitator Model

Replacing the traditional “inspector” role, the OSH Code introduces the Inspector-cum-Facilitator. These officials will:

• Inspect workplaces and investigate incidents
• Guide employers on compliance
• Allow digital submissions and reduce bureaucratic friction

This dual role is designed to make enforcement more cooperative and less punitive, while retaining regulatory oversight.

Implications for Employers and Safety Professionals

Once implemented, the OSH Code will demand a shift in how safety is managed and documented. Key considerations include:

1. Gap Assessments

Safety professionals should conduct a comprehensive review of current practices against Code requirements. This includes welfare amenities, documentation, reporting systems, and emergency preparedness.

2. Policy and SOP Updates

Companies will need to revise their internal policies, especially concerning contract labor, medical check-ups, training, and record maintenance. These updates should be aligned with both central and upcoming state-specific rules.

3. Digital Transformation

Since the Code promotes electronic record-keeping, now is the time to transition from manual logs to centralized digital systems. This is particularly important for managing:

• Incident reporting
• Safety training records
• Medical exam compliance
• Audit trails for inspections

4. Employee Engagement

Building Safety Committees and involving employees in risk assessments and investigations will not only satisfy Code requirements but also strengthen operational safety.

Preparing for State-Level Nuances

While the OSH Code is a central legislation, labor is a concurrent subject under the Indian Constitution. This means that states can frame their own implementation rules, adding additional compliance requirements.

Organizations operating in multiple states must prepare to:

• Track individual state notifications
• Tailor site-level safety programs accordingly
• Appoint state-level compliance coordinators, if necessary

The OSH Code as a Catalyst for Operational Safety

Although compliance is a core motive, the OSH Code represents a broader shift toward operational safety and risk-based thinking. By mandating preventive health check-ups, risk assessments, and participatory safety management, it drives organizations to view safety not just as a legal mandate, but as an operational priority.

These regulatory pressures also align with global safety standards like ISO 45001. The OSH Code could position Indian industries more competitively in the global supply chain, where demonstrable commitment to worker safety is often a prerequisite.

How OQSHA Helps You Align with the OSH Code

OQSHA, as a safety process management platform, can support organizations in:

• Digitizing compliance records: Upload and retrieve inspection logs, medical check-ups, and training documents
• Enabling audit readiness: Maintain centralized, time-stamped records accessible for any regulatory inspection
• Creating visibility: Use dashboards to monitor open safety actions, training status, and risk assessments
• Empowering worker participation: Capture near-miss reports, suggestions, and hazard identifications in real-time
• Automating workflows: For training renewals, committee follow-ups, and compliance alerts

By leveraging platforms like OQSHA, employers can make compliance easier, more transparent, and ultimately more impactful.

Be Ready, Be Proactive

The OSH Code, when enforced, will reshape how organizations in India manage workplace safety. While the legal framework will demand accountability, the real transformation will come from cultural and operational shifts.

For safety professionals and business leaders, the time to act is now. Begin aligning your safety programs with the spirit of the OSH Code: structured processes, empowered teams, and proactive risk management.

And with tools like OQSHA, you don’t have to navigate this change alone.

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Are you ready for the OSH Code era? Discover how OQSHA can simplify compliance and elevate your operational safety practices.