Occupational Health and safety (OHS) or Occupational Safety & Health 

OHS is a multidisciplinary field concerned with the Health, Safety and Welfare of people at work (i.e., while performing duties required by one's occupation).

 

OHS is related to the fields of Occupational Medicine & Occupational Hygiene with work place Health Promotion, Protection and Prevention of Incidents causing harmful effects to Working Environment including Working People and Surrounding Community.

 

In common-law jurisdictions  employers have the common law duty (also called duty of care) to take reasonable care of the safety of their employees.[7] Statute law may, in addition, impose other general duties, introduce specific duties, and create government bodies with powers to regulate occupational safety issues.

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Prevention of workplace incidents and occupational diseases is addressed through the implementation of occupational safety and health programs at company level.

 

The primary law governing occupational health in India is the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 which consolidates and amends existing labor laws related to worker safety and health, including the Factories Act, 1948 and the Employees' State Insurance Act, 1948; essentially providing comprehensive regulations for workplace health and safety across various industries. 

 

Key OHS laws in India:

• Factories Act, 1948:

This act applies to factories with 10 or more workers using power or 20 or more without power, and sets standards for workplace safety within manufacturing settings. 

• Employees' State Insurance Act, 1948:

This act provides medical benefits to registered employees, including coverage for work-related illnesses and injuries. 

• Code on Social Security, 2020:

This code further strengthens social security provisions for workers, including retirement benefits and unemployment support. 

• Key aspects of the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020: 

  • Mandatory health check-ups for employees, especially those above 45 years old 

  • Regulations on exposure to hazardous substances 

  • Provisions for safe working conditions across various industries 

  • Employer responsibility to ensure employee health and safety 

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