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Contents of the OSH Code

The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020

Section 82. Dangerous operations

In force since 21 Nov 2025Chapter XI — Special Provisions for Contract Labour and Inter-state Migrant Worker, Etc.Part VII — Factories

Official text

The appropriate Government may by rules make the provisions relating to any factory or class or description of factories in which manufacturing process or operation is carried on which exposes any of the persons employed in it to a serious risk of bodily injury, poisoning or disease, for—

(a) specifying the manufacturing process or operation and declaring it to be dangerous;

(b) prohibiting or restricting the employment of pregnant women in the manufacturing process or operation;

(c) the periodical medical examination before, or at any time during the employment to ascertain the fitness of a worker or employee for such employment on the cost of the occupier; and

(d) welfare amenities, sanitary facilities, protective equipment and clothing, and any other requirement necessary for dangerous operations.

Source: The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020, Act No. 37 of 2020 — Gazette of India, p. 50 of the PDF. Open our copy at p. 50 · official download · all sources

What the Labour Ministry says

  • “Free of cost pre-employment and periodic health examinations, irrespective of the age of the worker, would be arranged by the employer for workers employed in factories carrying out hazardous processes and dangerous operations.” item 2, FAQ on the OSH Code, 13 Mar 2026: official copy · our copy

This is the Ministry's explanation, not the law. Its FAQs and Handbook say the Codes prevail.

Commencement In force since 21 Nov 2025

Notification wording (1)
  • S.O. 5321(E), in force from 21 Nov 2025: “the Central Government hereby appoints the 21st day of November, 2025 as the date on which the provisions of the said Code, shall come into force”