Compliance & Safety
OSH Code, 2020
The OSH Code, 2020 is India's labour code consolidating laws on workplace safety, health and working conditions, including the Factories Act.
What is the OSH Code, 2020?
The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 (OSH Code) is one of India's four labour codes. It consolidates and replaces several older central laws on workplace safety and working conditions, including the Factories Act, 1948, the Mines Act, 1952, the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act, 1970 and laws covering building and construction workers, dock workers and inter-state migrant workers, among others.
Broadly, the code covers:
- Employer duties to provide a workplace free from hazards that may cause injury or disease
- Health examinations, including provisions for free annual health checkups for employees of prescribed classes or ages
- Safety measures, safety committees and safety officers for specified establishments
- Working conditions such as working hours, overtime, leave, welfare facilities, drinking water, canteens and crèches
- Women's employment, including working at night with consent and adequate safety arrangements
- Records, registers and returns, with a move towards unified registration and electronic filing
The central government brought the labour codes into force in late 2025. Many details, such as thresholds, the format of health examinations and industry-specific standards, are set by central and state rules, and some of these are still being notified or finalised. Employers should check the rules for each state they operate in and confirm obligations with counsel.
Why it matters for employers
The OSH Code widens the focus from factories to many kinds of establishments and puts more emphasis on preventive health. For HR, administration and EHS teams, practical steps include:
- Map which provisions apply to each site based on its type and headcount.
- Plan periodic medical examinations and statutory health checkups, and keep records securely.
- Review first-aid, occupational health centre and ambulance arrangements at higher-risk sites.
- Update safety committees, training and incident reporting.
- Track state rule notifications and update policies as they change.
Example
A manufacturer with plants in two states reviews its compliance after the codes take effect. It finds that one state's rules on annual health examinations are notified while the other's are still in draft. The company decides to run annual health checkups at both plants to a common standard, maintaining individual records confidentially, and asks counsel to confirm any additional state-specific requirements.
Key takeaways
- The OSH Code consolidates India's main workplace safety and working conditions laws.
- It includes provisions on free annual health checkups for prescribed employees.
- Many details depend on central and state rules; confirm with counsel.
- Partners can help deliver statutory health checkups and onsite clinics.