The implementation of the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (OSH) Code, 2020, which went into full effect on November 21, 2025, marks a major overhaul of India's labour laws, replacing 13 older laws with a unified, modern, and digital-first framework.

 The implementation of the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (OSH) Code, 2020, which went into full effect on November 21, 2025, marks a major overhaul of India's labour laws, replacing 13 older laws with a unified, modern, and digital-first framework.

This implementation across all industries—including the rapidly growing solar sector—aims to improve safety standards, enhance worker welfare, and ease compliance. 

Why the OSH Code 2025 is Implemented (General Industry)

Universal Coverage and Standardization: The code extends mandatory health, safety, and working conditions to all sectors, moving beyond the previous limitations of specific sectors (factories, mines, etc.). It applies to any establishment with 10 or more workers and even with one employee in hazardous occupations.

Simplified Compliance ("Ease of Doing Business"): It replaces complex, fragmented regulations with a single registration, a single license, and a single annual return. The number of registers is reduced from 84 to 8.

Digital Inspections and "Inspector-cum-Facilitator": The traditional, intrusive "inspector raj" is replaced by a web-based, randomized inspection system. Inspectors act as facilitators to guide compliance rather than just policing.

Pro-Worker Provisions:

Free Annual Health Check-ups: Mandatory for employees.

Appointment Letters: Compulsory for all employees, ensuring transparency.

Right to Refuse Dangerous Work: Workers are empowered to refuse work that threatens safety without fear of penalties.

Women in All Sectors/Night Shifts: Women can work in all sectors, including night shifts, with proper safety and consent.

Contract Labour and Migrant Workers: The Code increases responsibility on the principal employer to ensure safety and welfare of contract workers, and extends travel allowances and benefits to migrant workers. 

Why the OSH Code 2025 is Vital for Solar Plants

Solar plants (both manufacturing and utility-scale projects) are treated as high-risk construction/manufacturing sites. The 2025 implementation is critical for this sector because: 

Hazardous Operations & Safety Standards: Solar plants involve working with high-voltage electricity, high-temperature equipment (in manufacturing), chemical handling, and construction work, all of which fall under the enhanced safety protocols of the new Code.

Mandatory Risk Assessment: The Code requires comprehensive risk assessments, safety committees (for establishments with 500+ workers), and mandatory safety training for workers handling machinery and electrical components.

Safety of Contractual Labour: Given that many solar projects rely oncontractors, the code places the responsibility on the principal employer (the solar plant owner) to provide necessary welfare, first aid, and safety equipment (PPE).

Specific 2025 Quality Control Order (QCO): In addition to the OSH Code, the MNRE (Ministry of New and Renewable Energy) notified a Solar Systems, Devices, and Components Goods Order, 2025, effective from mid-2025. This requires mandatory BIS certification, and sets minimum efficiency standards (17-18%) for PV modules, inverters, and storage batteries, ensuring both safety and high performance.

Environmental and Safety Compliance: The code mandates strict safety measures for the handling and disposal of hazardous waste, such as damaged panels or toxic battery component.

Key Changes Affecting 2025

Decriminalization of Minor Offences: Replaces imprisonment with financial penalties (compounding) for first-time offences, encouraging voluntary compliance.

48-Hour Work Week: Standardizes working hours to 8 hours a day/48 hours a week, with double the wages for overtime. 

Note: While the code was enforced nationally on Nov 21, 2025, full implementation depends on state-specific rules.