The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 (OSH Code, 2020) in India aims to consolidate and streamline multiple labor laws related to worker safety and well-being

 The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 (OSH Code, 2020) in India aims to consolidate and streamline multiple labor laws related to worker safety and well-being. It covers a broad range of industries, including factories, mines, plantations, and construction, and aims to create a safer and healthier work environment for all employees. The Code includes provisions for working hours, overtime pay, welfare facilities, and the establishment of safety committees. It also addresses the rights of inter-state migrant workers and women workers, including provisions for night work and transportation. 

Here's a more detailed breakdown:

Key Provisions of the OSH Code, 2020:

Consolidation of Laws:

The code replaces 13 existing central labor laws, simplifying compliance for employers by reducing the number of registrations, licenses, and returns. 

Workplace Safety:

It mandates a safe working environment, including measures to prevent injuries and occupational diseases. Employers are required to conduct free annual health check-ups for employees. 

Working Hours:

The code limits maximum working hours to eight hours a day and 48 hours a week, with provisions for overtime pay at twice the wage rate for extra hours. 

Welfare Facilities:

Employers are required to provide various welfare facilities, such as separate washing and bathing places for men and women, locker rooms, canteens (for establishments with 100 or more workers), and first-aid facilities. 

Women Workers:

The code allows women to work at night (7 PM to 6 AM) with their consent and subject to safety provisions like transportation and well-lit workplaces. 

Inter-State Migrant Workers:

The code ensures that inter-state migrant workers receive the same benefits as other workers and are provided with travel expenses to and from their native place. 

Safety Committees:

The code mandates the formation of safety committees in establishments with 500 or more workers. 

Hazardous Waste Management:

Employers are required to ensure the proper disposal of hazardous and toxic waste, including e-waste. 

Expansion of Definitions:

The code broadens the definition of "employee" to include contract laborers and expands the definition of "inter-state migrant worker". 

Implementation and Future Outlook:

The Gujarat government has notified the OSH Code and is preparing for its implementation. 

The central government will notify the date of implementation after which existing factories will need to obtain new licenses under the new code within a specified time. 

While the code aims to improve workplace safety, compliance rates remain a concern, particularly in smaller and informal industries according to IMPRI Impact and Policy Research Institute. 

There is a growing trend towards adopting ISO 45001, an international standard for occupational health and safety management systems, to further enhance workplace safety.