Full Text
REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99
The Gazette of India
CG-DL-E-26092025-266442
EXTRAORDINARY
PART II—Section 3—Sub-section (i)
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY
No. 623]
NEW DELHI, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2025/ASVINA 3, 1947
MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
NOTIFICATION
New Delhi, the 24th September, 2025
G.S.R. 707(E).—The following draft rules, which the Central Government proposes
to make in exercise of powers conferred by Sections 23 & 24 of the Occupational Safety, Health
and Working Conditions Code, 2020 (37 of 2020) are hereby notified as required by sub-section
(1) of Section 134, for information of all persons likely to be affected thereby and notice is
hereby given that the said draft notification will be taken into consideration after the expiry of a
period of 45 days from the date on which the copies of the Official Gazette in which this
notification is published are made available to the public; Objections and suggestions, if any,
may be addressed to 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 or by email (fas@dgfasli.nic.in and ravis.nirana@nic.in). The objections and suggestions
should be sent in a proforma containing columns (i) specifying the name and address of the
persons and organizations and column (ii) specifying the rule or sub-rule which is proposed to
be modified and column (iii) specifying the revised rule or sub rule proposed to be submitted
and the reasons therefore; Objections and suggestions, which may be received from any person
or organization with respect to the said draft notification before expiry of a period of 45 days,
specified above, will be considered by the Central Government.
Draft Rules prescribed under section 23 and 24 of the OSH&WC Code, 2020 for dock
workers.
1. Short title, extent and commencement (i) These rules may be called the Dock Workers
Rules, 202... under Sections-23 and 24 of the Occupational Safety, Health, And Working
Conditions Code, 2020.
(ii) They extend to whole of India.
(iii) They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.
2. Definition. - (1) In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires, -
(a) “Code” means the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020;
(b) "Officer In charge Canteen” means the person (other than manager) appointed by the employer
for securing compliance with the provision in respect of canteens under the code.
(c) "Section” means the Section of the Code.
(d) "Annexure” means list annexed to these rules;
(e) “Negotiating Union or negotiating council” means negotiating union or negotiating council
referred to in Section 14 of the Industrial Relations Code, 2020.
(2) The words and expressions used in these Rules and are not defined herein, but are in the Code,
shall have respectively meaning assigned to them in the Code.
3. Cleanliness and hygiene under clause (i) of sub-section (2) of section 23: - The employer
of every dock shall ensure that: -
(1) All locations in the ship or dock where dock works are carried and where dock workers are
employed are kept clean and maintained in a hygienic condition.
(2) All access routes and working areas are kept free from objects and materials that are liable to cause
a person to trip or slip.
(3) Loose gear, tools and similar equipment are kept safely or removed from working areas when not
in use.
(4) Spillages of oil or other materials likely to be a hazard are cleaned up by trained personnel as soon
as possible under the effective supervision.
(5) Suitable anti-skid footwears for use while at work wherever required are provided without expense
to workers.
(6) Where a floor is liable to become wet, effective drainage be maintained, kept in dry and non-slippery
state and suitable footwear, free of charge, be provided to worker.
(7) All plant and equipment are parked in appropriate designated areas when not in use.
(8) For technical reasons, cleaning must be carried out during working hours, appropriate
means are used and precautions are taken to avoid contamination of the air with dust or
other obnoxious substances.
(9) Suitable arrangements for daily collection, storage, disposal or treatment of waste are made
under the effective supervision
4. Ventilation and temperature and Humidity under clause (ii) of sub-section (2) of section 23:-
The employer of every dock shall ensure that effective and suitable provisions are made in every
dock for securing and maintaining in every building or an enclosure or a reefer hold or chamber
or reefer container where dock workers are employed with adequate ventilation maintain such
temperature and air movement so as to provide reasonable condition of comfort and to prevent
any harm to the health of employees.
5. Precaution against dust, noxious gas, fumes and other impurities under clause (iii) of sub-
section (2) of section 23: - The employer of every dock shall ensure that: -
(1) Whenever a dock worker is required to enter into a hold or intermediate deck or other confined
space or any other working place where neither natural ventilation nor mechanical ventilation
system is adequate to keep the content of any gas, fume vapour or dust below the permissible limits,
appropriate manhole of adequate size or other effective means of egress shall be provided to avoid
exposure of docks workers to health hazards.
(2) No dock worker is allowed to enter any hold or tank of a vessel wherein there is given off any dust,
fumes or other impurities of such a nature and to such an extent as is likely to be injurious or
offensive to the dock workers or in which explosives, poisonous, noxious or gaseous cargoes have
been carried or stored or in which dry ice has been used as a refrigerant or which has been
fumigated, or in which there is possibility of oxygen deficiency, unless all practical steps have been
taken to remove the dust, fumes or other impurities and dangers which may be present and to
prevent any further ingress thereof, and such holds or tanks are certified to be safe and fit for dock
workers to enter the same by the competent authority.
(3) When dock workers are exposed to any dust in substantial quantities as in handling bulk cargos such
as grains, fertilizers, cements and other similar cargoes, they are protected by Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE).
6. Potable drinking water - under clause (v) of sub-section (2) of section 23: - The employer of every
dock shall ensure that: -
(1) Adequate supply of clean, wholesome and safe drinking water is provided for, and be readily
accessible to, all employees in all workplaces.
(2) Any supply of drinking water other than the piped supply is contained in suitable vessels clearly
marked or displayed in Hindi, English and local language understood by the majority of the
employees, to indicate that the water is safe for drinking and such supply is replenished daily and
all necessary precautions are taken to preserve the water and vessels from contamination;
(3) Except where the water is delivered by a rising jet, the use of common drinking tumblers or cups
is prohibited.
(4) Where water is unsafe for drinking purposes, or is provided for use in industrial processes or other
purposes, it is to be so indicated in Hindi, English and local language understood by the majority
of the employees.
7. Overcrowding -under clause (vi) of sub-section (2) of section 23: The employer of every dock
shall ensure that: -
(1) The floor space in any dock area, wharf, jetty or building is not crowded with machinery in a
manner dangerous to employees, or be overcrowded with materials or products so as to constitute a
menace to them.
(2) Sufficient space is provided around the individual machines or process units to allow for normal
operation, adjustments, ordinary repairs, for materials supplied, in process, or completed.
(3) Adequate provisions are made to prevent overcrowding at any place where employees are required
to work or assemble for any reason in the dock premises, including:
(i) Design and use of signs or symbols that indicate and illustrate overcrowding related hazards
in all working areas specifying the number of employees allowed to work at such places at
any one time;
(ii) Vehicle and pedestrian pathways are kept separated using barriers indicated by distinctive
colours; and
(iii) Deployment of vehicles are managed effectively and overcrowding is avoided.
8. Lighting (Illumination) - under clause (vii) of sub-section (2) of section-23: The employer of
every dock shall ensure that:
(1) All places in the dock including all amenities for utility services where employees work or pass,
or may have to work or pass in emergencies, are provided during time of use with adequate natural
or artificial lighting, or both, suitable for the operations and the special type of work performed.
Natural lighting is arranged wherever possible.
(2) Artificial lighting is provided or arranged when daylight fails or for areas where the daylight
illumination is insufficient.
(3) At every work place where employees are exposed to risks in the event of failure of artificial
lighting, are provided with automatic emergency lighting of sufficient intensity that should have
energy sources independent of the installations for the general lighting systems.
9. Latrine and urinal accommodation under clause (viii) of sub-section (2) of section 23: -
The employer of every dock shall ensure that: -
(1) (i) In every work place of a Dock, sufficient latrine and urinal accommodations are provided at
conveniently accessible places separately for the use of male, female, transgender and person
with disabilities employees.
(ii)Such accommodation is sufficiently lighted and ventilated and maintained in a clean and
sanitary condition at all times.
(2) (i) Floor of the latrine, urinal and the sanitary blocks are maintained in non-slippery
condition.
(ii)the internal walls of the latrines, urinals and the sanitary blocks are laid in glazed tiles.
Alternatively, internal walls of the latrines and urinals are finished in such a manner to provide
a smooth, polished and impervious surface to facilitate cleanliness and hygiene;
(iii)Sanitary pans of latrines and urinals are kept washed and cleaned at all times.
(3) At least one separate latrine accommodation, for every 25 male and 15 female employees, and at
least one separate latrine accommodation each for person with disabilities employees and for
transgender employees is provided and at least one urinal for every 15 males employed at the
same time. Sufficient water supply is provided in every latrine and urinal accommodation.
(4) Facility of mobile toilets are provided wherever required.
(5) Washbasin facility with tap water is made available.
(6) Sanitary napkins in sufficient quantity are provided and maintained in the women's toilets for
their use and the same are to be replenished on a daily basis.
(7) Disposable bins with lids are provided within the women's toilets for the collection of the used
sanitary napkins. The used napkins are safely disposed off. Disposable bins with lids shall also
be provided within the toilets for men, transgender and person with disabilities.
(8) Every latrine is kept under cover and so partitioned off as to secure privacy, and to have a proper
door, fastenings and exhaust.
(9) Where male, female, transgender and person with disabilities are employed, outside each latrine
block a notice “For men only” or “For women only” or “For transgender persons only” or “For
persons with disabilities only", as the case may be, in Hindi, English and local language
understood by the majority of the employees, are displayed.
(10) Waste or sullage water from latrines and urinals is treated and safely disposed of.
(11) Water taps in latrines-
(i) where piped water supply is available, water taps are to be provided in or near such latrine
accommodation; and
(ii) if piped water supply is not available, water is provided by the means of tap or otherwise so as to
be conveniently accessible in or near the latrine and urinals.
10. Treatment of wastes and Effluents under clause (ix) of sub-section (2) of section 23 :- The
employer of every dock shall ensure that: -
(1) Proper arrangements for discharging liquid effluents and gaseous emission, and disposal of solid
waste generated in the Dock are made.
(2) Effective arrangements are made for the treatment of wastes and effluents by ensuring compliance
with the safety and health requirements.
(3) Hazards and risks with the handling, storage and processing of wastes and effluents are identified
and appropriate preventive and control measures are implemented.
(4) Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) based on risk assessment of handling the waste
and effluents are provided, free of charge; and
(5) Employees handling the wastes and effluents are trained on the identified hazards and risks.
11. Washing facilities under clause (i) of sub-section (1) of section 24: - The employer of every dock
shall ensure that: -
(1) Suitable and sufficient washing facilities at easily accessible places are provided with regular and
adequate supply of water including soap, towels separately for male, female, transgender and
person with disabilities employees, which are:
(i) separated from the workplaces;
(ii) Well ventilated;
(iii) With proper drainage system;
(iv) maintained in a sanitary and hygienic condition;
(v) capable of being secured from inside to secure privacy and have a proper door, fastenings;
(vi) Appropriately demarcated with "For men only” or “For women only” or “for transgender
persons only" or "For persons with disabilities only", as the case may be, in Hindi, English
and local language understood by the majority of the employees, are displayed outside.
(2) The use of common towels is prohibited.
12. Bathing Places and Locker Rooms under clause (ii) of sub-section (1) of section 24: - The
employer of every dock shall ensure that: -
(1) Suitable, separate and sufficient bathing places and locker rooms facility, as may be necessary
owing the nature of the work, at easily accessible places with regular and adequate supply of water
including soap and towels for male, female and transgender and persons with disabilities
employees separately, are provided which are:
(i) separated from the workplaces;
(ii) well ventilated;
(iii) with proper drainage system;
(iv) maintained in a sanitary and hygienic condition;
(v) capable of being secured from inside to secure privacy and have a proper door, fastenings;
(vi) Properly demarcated with "For men only” or “For women only” or “For transgender persons only”
or "For person with disabilities only", as the case may be, in Hindi, English and local language
understood by the majority of the employees, are displayed outside
(2) Suitable, separate locker facilities, as may be necessary owing to the nature of work, at easily
accessible places for storing clothing that are worn during working hours and for special clothing which
is worn by any employee at work but is not taken home, for male, female, transgender and persons
with disabilities.
13. Place of Keeping Clothing under clause (iii) of sub-section (1) of section 24: - The employer of
every dock shall ensure that: -
(1) Suitable, separate and sufficient installations, as may be necessary owing to the nature of work,
for male female, transgender and person with disabilities employees for keeping clothes not worn
during working hours and drying of wet clothes.
(2) These installations are placed in rooms separate from the workrooms.
(3) A changing room is provided with suitable facilities for male, female, transgender and person with
disabilities employees, as may be necessary owing to the nature of work, for drying wet clothes
and for hanging clothing including, where necessary to avoid contamination with poisonous,
infectious, irritating or radioactive substances and are also provided suitable lockers for separating
working clothes from street clothes.
(4) When employees are engaged in processes of such a nature that their working clothes are liable to
become wet or have to be washed between shifts, suitable arrangements are made to ensure that
dry clothes are always available to each employee on his return to work.
(5) These facilities are to be provided with-
(i) individual lockers of adequate size and with adequate ventilation;
(ii) benches or other suitable seating arrangements.
14. Sitting arrangements under clause (iv) of sub-section (1) of section 24: - The employer of every
dock shall ensure that that reasonable arrangements for sitting without detriment to their work are
provided to employees obliged to work in standing position. Adequate and comfortable seating
facilities are provided for this purpose.
15. Facilities of canteen under clause (v) of sub-section (1) of section 24: - The employer of every dock
shall ensure that: -
(1) At every dock where in 100 or more workers including contract laborer are ordinarily employed,
a canteen in or adjacent to the precincts of the dock, is provided and maintained to provide
nutritious, wholesome and healthy food for the employees;
(2) The employer of dock can also provide facility of canteen through common canteen adjacent to
dock premises;
(3) The canteen is situated at appropriate distance from any latrine, urinal and process area to avoid
dust, smoke or obnoxious fumes;
(4) The canteen is constructed to accommodate at least a dining hall, kitchen, store room, pantry and
washing places separately for employees and for utensils.
(5) Canteen has separate doors for entry and exit.
(6) Dining Hall
(i) The dining hall is separated from any place where a hazardous substance may contaminate
food, dishes or utensils;
(ii) The dining hall is furnished with a sitting arrangement to accommodate sufficient number
of employees normally using at any one time;
(iii)A portion of the dining hall and service counter is partitioned off and reserved for women
employees and person with disabilities employees; and
(iv) Washing places for male, female, transgender and person with disabilities employees are
separate and screened to secure privacy.
(7) Equipment
(i) All equipment and utensils that come into contact with food are cleaned and maintained in
hygienic condition;
(ii) Furniture and other equipment are maintained in a clean and hygienic condition.
(8) Storage, Preparation and Handling of food
(i) Each food handler is trained and instructed in food handling practices that prevent the
contamination of food; and
(ii) No person who is suffering from a communicable disease is allowed to work as a food
handler.
(9) Food waste and garbage are removed from the food preparation area or dining hall, stored in
covered containers and disposed of periodically.
(10) Food, drink and other items are sold on a no profit no loss basis wherein the rates are fixed by
canteen management committee; and
(11) The charges per portion of food items, beverages and any other items served in the canteen are
displayed in the canteen.
(12) Canteen Management Committee
(i) A Canteen Managing Committee is constituted to carry out the following functions:
a. the quality and the quantity of food stuffs to be served in the canteen;
b. the arrangements of the menu;
c. the timings of meals in the canteen; and
d. any other relevant matter
Provided that where the canteen is managed by a co-operative society registered under the Multi
State Co-operative Societies Act, 2002 it is not necessary to appoint a Canteen Managing
Committee.
(ii) The Canteen Managing Committee consists of an equal number of representative of
employees and Employer;
(iii) the representatives of Employer are nominated by the Employer;
(iv) the representatives of worker are nominated by negotiating union or negotiating council as the
case may be and where there is no negotiating union or negotiating council the employees will
choose amongst themselves the worker representatives of the canteen committee.
(v) The tenure of the committee shall be determined mutually. One-third of the committee members
of employees and employer shall be rotated every two years.
(vi) The canteen managing committee decides on the running of the canteen in consultation with the
canteen manager.
16. First Aid and Medical Appliances - under clause (vii) of sub-section (1) of section 24: - The
employer of every dock shall ensure that: -
(1) In every Dock or part thereof where employees are at work, first aid boxes or cup-boards in adequate
numbers with necessary items are provided and maintained so as to be readily accessible during
working hours.
(2) In each shift, every first-aid box or cupboard is kept under the charge of a worker or supervisor who
holds a certificate in first-aid treatment and who is available during the working hours of the dock or
part thereof. The distance between first aid box or cupboard of the nearest shall not be more than 200
meters from any working place and maintained properly all the time during working hours. The
number of first aid boxes has to increase if the number of employees is more than 200 employees. The
illustrative list of contents of every first-aid box or cupboard is annexed at Annexure- I and Employer
may add more items as per requirement.
(3) At least 33 percent of the workers in a Dock are trained in first-aid procedures including basic life
support (BLS) training and refreshers training to be imparted in every 3 years. Wherever woman
workers are employed, at least one-woman worker is trained. First Aid training is conducted by the
trainer having medical qualification included in the Schedule- I or Schedule- II or Part- II of the
Schedule- III of the Indian Medical Council Act of 1956. The person possessing qualifications
included in Part II of Schedule- III of the Indian Medical Council Act of 1956 should also fulfil the
condition specified in section 13(3) of the Indian Medical Council Act 1956 or as per the Chapter- VI
of National Medical Commission (NMC) Act 2019 or diploma or degree in Industrial Health, Public
Health, Emergency Medicine or equivalent.
(4) Every case of injury or illness during the course of work is reported to the supervisor in the Dock for
injury and illness surveillance and adequate and suitable arrangements are made available for speedy
evacuation or referral of persons employed in the Dock who while on duty suffers from serious bodily
injury or illness of a serious nature or as the nature of injury and illness as decided by the first aider,
from the Dock or part thereof to the nearest dispensary or hospital.
(5) Every employee receiving an injury during the course of work shall report the same to the worker or
supervisor who holds a certificate in first-aid treatment and who shall make arrangements for rendering
first-aid to the injured as may be required. Where the employee receiving an injury is not in a position
to report the same to the worker or supervisor who holds a certificate in first-aid treatment, it shall be
the duty of the person who first comes to know of it to report the same to the worker or supervisor.
(6) If in the opinion of the supervisor, the injury is of such a nature so as to require immediate medical
attention by the qualified medical practitioner, he shall arrange for the qualified medical practitioner
to be called or bring it to the notice of the Employer or his representative in the Dock.
(7) It is the duty of the Employer or his representative to ensure that adequate and suitable arrangements
are made available for speedy transportation of that employee to nearest dispensary/ hospitals
preferably by means of a proper ambulance van.
17. Crèche Facility under sub-section (3) of section 24: - The employer of every dock shall ensure that:
(1) In every dock wherein more than than 50 workers are ordinarily employed, a crèches facility is
provided and maintained for the use of children under the age of six years of employees.
(2) Mobile crèche will be provided, wherever required.
(3) Each Crèche facility is free and accessible to all employees;
(4) The Crèche is located within the workplace as much as possible, or in a nearby accessible location;
(5) The Crèche is not situated in close proximity to any part of the dock worksite where obnoxious
fumes, dust or odours are given off or in which excessively noisy processes are carried on;
(6) There is in or adjoining the crèche a suitable washroom for the washing of the children and their
clothing;
(7) The Crèche is maintained in a clean, hygienic and sanitary condition;
(8) Personal cleanliness of the child is maintained.
(9) The Crèche is under the charge preferably woman for the care of children and infants;
(10) Police verifications of in-charge of creche, support staff and guard are mandatory.
(11) The person in charge of the crèche should have and maintain information about the child's identity,
residential address etc.
(12) Details of the person who is picking up and dropping the child to the creche should be available
with the caretaker and the child should be handed over to that person only. In case any other person
picks up or drops the child, then his/her identity with the authorization from parents would be
necessary.
(13) Attendance of all children is taken in the morning on the child's arrival as well as at the time when
child is picked up.
(14) Sufficient supply of clean clothes, soaps and clean towels is available for each child while the child
is in the Crèche;
(15) The Crèche is furnished with a suitable number of resting arrangements;
(16) Sufficient supply of nutritious, wholesome and healthy food to all children as per their dietary
requirements is provided;
(17) All sharp objects like scissors, knives, blades, pins etc. are always kept away from the children.
(18) Chemicals such as detergents, cleaning agents, phenyl etc. are kept out of the child's reach.
(19) The Crèche is provided with non-combustible covered receptacles for the disposal of waste food
or other waste material;
(20) All electrical switches/plugs are out of children's reach.
(21) Evacuation plan to be displayed at the crèche.
(22) No child is left alone at any point in the crèche, even during breaks.
(23) Any kind of verbal or physical abuse is strictly prohibited.
(24) Any kind of sexual abuse and sexual exploitation to be strictly dealt under the Protection of
Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.
(25) Through the supervisor, that no persons, known or unknown be allowed inside the crèche at any
point of time, during the functioning hours of the crèche. For example, civil work should preferably
be done during weekend/holidays only.
(26) The Crèche has CCTV monitoring during the working hours.
(27) Important and emergency contact numbers (helplines like 112, 1098, fire services, child protection
officer, nearest police station etc.) are displayed within the creche premises for easy access and
reference.
(28) Required Medical support system / staff is made available on call.
Section 24 (2) (vii): Any other matter which may be prescribed.
18. Mock Drills
The Employer of every dock shall ensure quarterly conduct of Mock drills to check emergency
preparedness to deal with various emergencies.
ANNEXURE- I
LIST OF CONTENTS OF FIRST AID BOX as provided under Rules 17(2) :-
1. Appropriate number of small, medium and large sized sterilized dressings pads
2. Appropriate number of large size sterilized burn dressings pads
3. Appropriate number of packets of sterilized cotton
4. Sufficient quantity of Cetrimide solution (1%-3%) or a suitable antiseptic solution (10%
Povidone Iodine)
5. Pair of scissors, Tweezers, Tourniquet and disposable gloves
6. Adequate adhesive Tapes and adhesive Bandage Tape of different sizes.
7. Adequate Elastic crepe bandages of different sizes.
8. Sterilized eye pads.
9. Strips containing analgesic (Paracetamol-650 mg) and Antacid and adequate number of
ORS Sachets.
10. Pain relief / analgesic spray
11. Polythene wash bottles (Normal Saline or Distilled Water)
12. Adequate Roller bandages of different sizes.
13. Suitable splints.
14. Resuscitation equipment such as ambu bag.
15. Tablets such as Disprin, Sorbitrate.
16. Anti-allergic lotion/cream, eye drops.
17. Automated External Defibrillator (AED).
18. One copy of First-aid leaflet which includes emergency contact numbers of nearby
hospitals.
[F. No. S.65025/01/2020-ISH-II]
ALOK CHANDRA, Senior Labour & Employment Advisor
Uploaded by Dte. of Printing at Government of India Press, Ring Road, Mayapuri, New Delhi-110064
and Published by the Controller of Publications, Delhi-110054.
GORAKHA NATH
YADAVA
Digitally signed by GORAKHA
NATH YADAVA
Date: 2025.09.26 15:27:06+05'30'