Rule 16. Safety Officer for Factories under clause (a) and (b) and for Building & Other Construction Works under clause (c) sub-section (2) of Section 22

A person shall not be eligible for appointment as a Safety Officer relating to building or other construction work unless he possesses–

(a) A recognized degree in any branch of engineering or technology; or

(b) A recognized degree in physics or chemistry; or

(c) A recognized diploma in any branch of engineering or technology and has had practical experience in a supervisory capacity for a period of not less than 2 years;

(d) Possesses a degree or diploma in industrial safety recognized by the State Government in this behalf; and

Provided that the Chief Inspector-cum-Facilitator may, subject to such conditions as he may specify, grant exemption from the requirements of this sub rule, if in his opinion, a suitable person possessing the necessary qualifications and experience; is not available for appointment.

(2) Duties of Safety Officer: The duties of a Safety Officer shall be to advise and assist the establishment management in the fulfillment of its obligations, statutory or otherwise concerning prevention of personal injuries and maintaining safe working environment. These duties shall include the following namely

(a) to advise the concerned departments in planning and organizing measures necessary for the effective control or personal injuries;

(b) to advise on safety aspects in all job studies and to carry out detailed job safety of selected jobs;

(c) to check and evaluate the effectiveness of the action taken or proposed to be taken by concerned department to prevent personal injuries;

(d) to advise the purchase and stores departments in ensuring high quality and availability of personal protective equipment;

(e) to advise on matter related to carrying out plant safety inspections;

(f) to render advise on matters related to reporting and investigation of industrial accidents diseases;

(g) to investigate selected accidents;

(h) to investigate the cases of industrial diseases contracted, dangerous occurrence reportable under rules;

(i) to advise on the maintenance of such records as are necessary relating to accidents, dangerous occurrences and industrial diseases;

(j) to promote setting up of safety committees and act as advisor to such committees;

(k) to organize in association with the concerned departments, campaigns, contests and other activities to develop and maintain the interest of the workers in establishing and maintaining safe conditions of work and procedures; and

(l) to design and conduct either independently or in collaboration with the training department suitable training and educational programs for the prevention of personal injuries.

(m) to carry out plant safety inspection in order to observe the physical conditions of work and the practices and procedures for work followed by the employees and to render advice on measures to be taken for preventing unsafe conditions for the employee.

(3) Facilities to be provided to Safety Officers.- The employer of the establishment shall provide each Safety Officer with such facilities, equipment and information as are necessary to enable him to discharge his duties effectively.

(4) Number of Safety Officers.- In every establishment where appointment of Safety Officer is mandatory, it shall appoint safety officers, as laid down in the scale given below:

Sl. No. Numbers of workers Number of Safety Officers

1. 250 to 500 One safety Officer

2. 501 to 1000 Two safety Officers

3. 1001 to 2000 Three safety Officers

4. 2001 to 5000 Four safety Officers

5. 5001 to 10,000 Five safety Officers

Provided that for employment above 10000 workers one additional Safety Officer shall be appointed for every additional 5000 workers.

Any appointment, when made, shall be notified to the Inspector-Cum- Facilitator having jurisdiction of the area, giving full details of the qualifications, terms and conditions of service of such Safety Officers.