The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (Central) Rules, 2026
Amalgamation of 13 Central Safety & Health Acts
The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (Central) Rules, 2026 operationalize the OSH Code, 2020, replacing 13 legacy Central labour enactments with a single modern safety code:
1. Factories & Mines Acts
Consolidates Factories Act 1948 and Mines Act 1952, standardizing workplace environmental and operational safety standards.
2. Docks, Construction & Transport
Integrates Dock Workers Act 1986, BOCW Act 1996, and Motor Transport Workers Act 1961 into uniform safety guidelines.
3. Contract & Migrant Workers
Replaces Contract Labour Act 1970 and Inter-State Migrant Workmen Act 1979, introducing single digital contractor licensing.
Applicability & Central Sphere Jurisdiction
- Central Sphere Scope: Applies to all establishments under Central jurisdiction including Mines, Major Ports, Dock Work, Railways, Oilfields, Telecom, Banking, and Building & Other Construction Work carried out by Central authorities.
- Universal Establishment Coverage: Applies to all establishments employing 10 or more workers (or specified hazardous sectors regardless of worker count).
- National OSH Advisory Board: Tripartite body constituted to advise Central Government on framing workplace safety standards and occupational health regulations.
The 2026 Central Rules introduce a streamlined electronic registration process and mandate written employment contracts for all employees.
| Compliance Requirement | Statutory Form & Process | Central Rules Mandate |
|---|---|---|
| Online Registration | Form I via Shram Suvidha Portal | Mandatory for establishments with 10+ workers. Auto-generated electronic certificate issued upon filing. |
| Deemed Registration | 7 Days Auto-Approval | If registration is not granted or rejected within 7 days, the establishment is deemed registered. |
| LIN Assignment | Labour Identification Number | Unique LIN allocated to each establishment for single-window compliance tracking. |
| Appointment Letter | Mandatory for ALL Employees | Employer must issue a written appointment letter within 3 months of commencement specifying designation, wages & terms. |
Mandatory Contents of Statutory Appointment Letter
Under Rule 11, every appointment letter issued to an employee must include:
- Name, Father's/Spouse's Name, Aadhaar Number, and Permanent Address of the employee.
- Designation, Skill Category (Unskilled, Semi-skilled, Skilled, Highly Skilled), and Place of Work.
- Wage Rate, Pay Period (Daily/Weekly/Monthly), Allowance breakup, and PF/ESI eligibility.
Mandatory Free Annual Medical Check-up (Age 40+)
The 2026 Central Rules mandate that employers provide free annual medical check-ups for specific worker categories:
Target Worker Age
Applies to all employees aged 40 years and above employed in factories, mines, docks, and construction work.
Employer Expense
Check-ups are 100% free of cost for workers. Employer maintains employee medical check-up calendars.
Medical Certificate
Medical Practitioner issues fitness certificate in Form II within 15 days of examination.
Statutory Safety Committees & Safety Officers Thresholds
The 2026 Central Rules prescribe clear employee thresholds for setting up dedicated safety infrastructure:
| Establishment Type | Safety Committee Threshold | Safety Officer Threshold |
|---|---|---|
| Factories | 500 or more workers (or 250+ in hazardous factories) | 500 or more workers (or 250+ in hazardous factories) |
| Mines | 100 or more workers | 100 or more workers |
| Building & Construction (BOCW) | 250 or more workers | 250 or more workers |
8-Hour Daily Limit
Maximum 8 hours of work per day (48 hours weekly limit) across all industrial establishments.
12-Hour Spreadover
Maximum daily spreadover (work plus rest intervals) capped at 12 hours on any given day.
Double Overtime Rate
Overtime work beyond 8 hours/day or 48 hours/week paid at double the normal wage rate (200%).
Annual Earned Leave with Wages Rules
Rules regarding leave accumulation and encashment for workers under OSH Rules 2026:
- Entitlement: 1 day of paid leave for every 20 days of work performed (for regular workers) / 1 day per 15 days (for underground mines).
- Accumulation Limit: Workers can carry forward up to 30 days of earned leave to the succeeding calendar year.
- Encashment: Unavailed leave exceeding 30 days must be encashed automatically by employer at the end of the calendar year.
| Work Shift Category | Max Hours / Day | Max Spreadover | Mandatory Rest Break |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Factory / Office Shift | 8 Hours | 12 Hours | 30 Minutes mandatory break after 5 hours |
| Mines (Above Ground) | 8 Hours | 12 Hours | 30 Minutes mandatory break after 5 hours |
| Mines (Below Ground) | 8 Hours | 8 Hours (Including transit) | Staggered rest breaks |
Mandatory Timeline for Reporting Fatal & Serious Accidents
In case of accidents or dangerous occurrences in an establishment, strict notice protocols apply:
Fatal Accident Notice
Immediate notice within 12 hours to Inspector-cum-Facilitator, District Magistrate, and Police in Form VI.
Serious Bodily Injury
Notice within 24 hours if injury prevents worker from returning to work for 48 hours or more.
Occupational Diseases
Notice in Form VII within 12 hours if worker contracts notified occupational diseases (e.g. Silicosis, Asbestosis).
| Incident Category | Statutory Form | Reporting Deadline | Notified Authorities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fatal Accident | Form VI | Within 12 Hours | Inspector-cum-Facilitator, DM, Police, Labour Comm. |
| Serious Bodily Injury (48+ hrs off) | Form VI | Within 24 Hours | Inspector-cum-Facilitator & ESI Authorities |
| Dangerous Occurrence (Fire/Explosion) | Form VI | Within 12 Hours | Inspector-cum-Facilitator & Chief Inspector |
| Notified Occupational Disease | Form VII | Within 12 Hours | Inspector-cum-Facilitator & Medical Inspector |
Single Electronic Contractor License (50+ Workers)
The 2026 Central Rules raise the threshold for contract labour licensing from 20 to 50 or more contract workers:
- Single Digital License: Single online license issued to contractors operating in multiple work orders / central sphere establishments.
- Validity: Contractor license is valid for 5 years (subject to online renewal).
Statutory Welfare & Rights of Inter-State Migrant Workers
The OSH Rules 2026 introduce groundbreaking statutory protections for inter-state migrant workers:
Annual Journey Allowance
Employer must pay a lump sum annual journey allowance (bus/train fare) to migrant worker for visiting home town.
Toll-Free Helpline
Central Government operates a 24x7 toll-free helpline to register and resolve migrant worker grievances.
Portable Benefits
Inter-state migrant workers registered on portal get portable PDS food security and social security benefits.
| Welfare Amenity | Mandatory Threshold | Employer Obligation |
|---|---|---|
| Canteen Facility | 100 or more workers | Clean, hygienic canteen serving food at subsidized / reasonable rates. |
| First-Aid Boxes | Every establishment | 1 First-aid box per 150 workers, maintained by trained first-aider. |
| Rest Rooms & Lunch Rooms | 50 or more workers | Adequate, ventilated rest rooms separate for male and female workers. |
Access and download official Central Gazette Notifications for the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (Central) Rules, 2026 published by the Ministry of Labour & Employment, Government of India: