Rule 17. The manner of constituting a safety committee and the manner and

the purpose for choosing the representatives under sub-sections (1) and (2) of section 22.- (1) Every establishment employing 500 or more workers shall constitute a safety committee consisting of representatives of employers and workers.

(2) The tenure of the safety committee shall be for three years. The safety committee shall meet at least once in every quarter.

(3) The representative of the workers shall be chosen by the registered trade union. In case where there is no registered trade union the members may be chosen by the workers of the establishment:

Provided that there shall be adequate representation of the women workers in the committee.

(4) Safety Committee shall have the right to be adequately and suitably informed ofi potential safety and health hazards to which the workers may be exposed at workplace; il. data on accidents as well as data resulting from surveillance of the working environment and of the health of employees, conducted at such establishments.

(5) The owner, employer, occupier, agent or manager shall, within a period of one month from the date of receipt of the recommendations of the Safety Committee Shall take action to implement the recommendations.

(6) Appointment of Safety Officers (Strength, qualification and duties) de W 1. Applicability Every establishment, factory or construction site to which subsection (2) of Section 22 of the Code applies shall appoint Safety Officers in accordance with the provisions of this rule. 2. Strength of Safety Officers The minimum number of Safety Officers to be appointed shall be as under: -

a) One Safety Officer, where the number of the workers ordinarily employed is five hundred or more but less than one thousand;

b) Two Safety Officers, where the number of the workers ordinarily employed is one thousand or more but less than two thousand;

c) One additional Safety Officer for every additional one thousand workers.

d) One Safety Officer for factory carrying on hazardous process, wherein two hundred fifty or more workers are employed. 3. Qualifications A person shall not be eligible for appointment as a Safety Officer unless he possesses: -

a) A Degree in Engineering or Technology from a recognized University or Institution.

b) Degree or Diploma from any recognized institution in Industrial Safety Engineering.

c) Master's degree in Safety Management.

d) Diploma in OHST (Occupational Health and Safety Technologist)

e) Master of Science in Occupational Safety Management

f) Bachelor of Science in Technical Management 4. Experience The Safety Officer shall have least two-year experience in a supervisory or safety related position in an industrial establishment, 5. Duties of Safety Officer The duties of a Safety Officer shall include, namely:

a) Advising the occupier or employer on matters relating to safety, health and welfare of workers; ) Promotingsate working practices and conducting sate raining and awareness programme: ) Identirying nazardous and suggesting correctve ar reventive measure.

d) Investigating accidents and dangerous occurrence and recommending preventive actions;

e) Ensuring compliance with the provisions of the Code and these rules;

f) Liaising with inspecting authorities on matters relating to occupational safety and health.