What changed
The Code brings 13 older Acts into one. They include the Factories Act 1948, the Mines Act 1952, the Contract Labour Act 1970, the Dock Workers Act 1986 and the Building and Other Construction Workers Act 1996 (s.143). The Government brought it into force on 21 November 2025. During the transition, older rules and standards stay in force where new ones are not yet made.
The Central Rules followed on 8 May 2026. They replaced 15 older central rules, including the BOCW (Central) Rules 1998.
Who it covers, and whose rules apply
An establishment is generally a place with 10 or more workers. Mines and docks are covered whatever their size. A factory means 20 or more workers using power, or 40 or more without power (s.2).
For factories, the state government is the appropriate government. So state rules and state inspectors govern most factories. The Central Rules cover the central sphere, such as docks, mines and central-government work.
Employer duties
Under section 6, you must:
- keep the workplace free from hazards;
- meet the safety standards the Centre declares (s.18);
- give free annual health checks, as the rules set out;
- give every worker an appointment letter;
- charge workers nothing for safety measures.
In factories, mines, docks, construction and plantations you must also provide safe plant, information, training and supervision, and safe ways in and out. Architects, project engineers and designers must plan for the safety of building workers (s.9).
Worker duties and rights
Workers must take reasonable care, follow the standards and report unsafe conditions (s.13). They can ask for safety information. If they think there is an imminent danger, they can report it to the employer and to the Inspector-cum-Facilitator at the same time. The inspector decides whether the danger is real (s.14).
Safety officers and committees
| Workplace | Safety officer needed at |
|---|---|
| Building and construction work | 250 workers |
| Factories with hazardous processes | 250 workers |
| Other factories | 500 workers |
| Mines | 100 workers |
On construction sites the Central Rules scale it up: 1 officer to 500 workers, 2 to 1,000, 3 to 2,000, 4 to 5,000, then 1 more for each extra 2,000 (Rule 18).
The Central Rules make a safety committee mandatory at 500 workers. It serves 3 years and meets at least every quarter, or monthly in mines. Worker members must at least equal employer members. The employer has 15 days to act on its recommendations.
Dock and construction employers must give free medical checks to workers aged 40 and over (Rule 5).
Reporting accidents
| What happened | What to do (Central Rules, rule 7) |
|---|---|
| A death | Notify the Inspector-cum-Facilitator forthwith on Form XI. Also tell the Chief Inspector-cum-Facilitator, the District Magistrate or SDO, the police and the family, electronically and by phone. |
| An injury keeping someone off work 48 hours or more | Form XI within 12 hours after the 48 hours are up. |
| A dangerous occurrence, such as a crane, scaffold or formwork collapse, or a fall of objects from height | Within 12 hours to the inspector and the District Magistrate or SDO. |
| An injured worker later dies | Notify forthwith and confirm in writing within 12 hours. |
| A notifiable occupational disease | Report forthwith, electronically or by speed post (rule 8). |
A fatal accident on a construction site triggers an inquiry within two months (s.10).
Penalties
| Breach | Maximum penalty |
|---|---|
| Causing death (s.103) | 2 years in prison, a fine of at least ₹5 lakh, or both |
| Causing serious injury (s.103) | 1 year, a fine of ₹2 to 4 lakh, or both |
| General penalty (s.94) | ₹2 to 3 lakh, plus up to ₹2,000 a day while it continues |
| Hazardous-process duties (s.102) | 2 years and up to ₹5 lakh, plus up to ₹25,000 a day |
The court can send at least half the fine to the victim or their family. A repeat conviction doubles the punishment. Some offences can be compounded (s.114).
Construction and work at height
The Central Rules do not set detailed work-at-height rules. DGOSH has posted draft rules for building and construction work. Until they are final, use DGOSH's Construction Safety Manual and workers' booklet, which cover work at height, scaffolding and ladders. See also our working at height hub.
Quick check for your site
- Know whether the Centre or your state is the appropriate government, and which rules apply.
- Appointment letters for every worker.
- A safety officer if you have 250 or more workers on site.
- A safety committee at 500 workers.
- Medical checks for dock and construction workers aged 40 and over.
- Form XI ready, and everyone knows the 12-hour reporting deadlines.
Sources
- Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020, Gazette of India.
- OSH&WC (Central) Rules, 2026, Gazette of India.
- Labour Codes in force from 21 November 2025, Press Information Bureau.
- Commencement notification S.O. 5321(E), Gazette (republished by Puducherry).
- About DGOSH, DGOSH, Ministry of Labour and Employment.
- Construction safety manual and workers' booklet, DGOSH.
This is practical guidance, not legal advice. Check the current official text and your site's own procedures.
