The Ministry of Labour and Employment, has published the draft Factories Workers Rules (“Draft Rules”) under Sections 23 and 24 of the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 (“OSHW Code”) for public consultation. Comments and suggestions are invited from stakeholders till 6th November 2025.

Key Highlights:

1. Factories must ensure sanitary workrooms, drainage for wet processes, anti-skid footwear (free of cost), and systematic waste disposal.
2. Adequate natural or mechanical ventilation, control of fumes and dust, protective measures against extreme weather, and workplace temperature regulation are mandated.
3. Exhaust systems must prevent harmful discharge; neutralization or sterilization systems are required for toxic emissions.
4. Risk assessment, hydration facilities, shaded rest spaces, work-rest cycles, and training on heat stress management are prescribed.
5. Adequate, safe water supply must be accessible, marked clearly in multiple languages, with prohibition on common cups.
6. Minimum space around machinery, segregation of pedestrian/vehicle pathways, use of hazard signs, and provision of emergency lighting are required.
7. Separate, sufficient facilities for male, female, transgender, and persons with disabilities; sanitary napkins and disposal bins in women’s toilets; clear signage in multiple languages.
8. Factories must provide safe disposal, PPE, training, and compliance with environmental safety standards.
9. Separate washing areas, bathing places, locker rooms, and changing facilities with proper drainage, privacy, and signage.
10. Mandatory in factories with 100+ workers, with nutrition standards, hygiene protocols, canteen committees (equal employer–employee representation), and regulated prices.
11. First-aid boxes in every department, 33% workforce trained in first-aid, mandatory ambulance room in factories with 500+ workers, staffed with medical professionals.
12. Lunchrooms, rest shelters, appointment of qualified welfare officers based on workforce size, with defined duties and protections.
13. Mandatory in factories with 50+ workers, with hygiene standards, CCTV, police verification of staff, safety protocols, nutritious food, and child protection measures.
14. Mandatory quarterly mock drills to ensure emergency response readiness.

Comments / suggestions may be provided till 6th November 2025, through the following modes:

1. Submission via post: Shri Ravishankar Nirala, Under Secretary to the Government of India, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Room No. 17, Shram Shakti Bhawan, Rafi Marg, New Delhi – 110001.
2. E-mail Submission: Comments can be sent via mail to fasli@dgfasli.nic.in and ravis.nirala@nic.in.

Submissions must include:

1. name and address of the person/organization,
2. specific rule or sub-rule proposed to be modified, and
3. the suggested revised text with reasons.

A copy of draft rules is attached herewith, for your ease of reference.

Source: Ministry of Labour and Employment

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