New Delhi, Dec 12 (NationPress) For employees engaged in hazardous sectors, the newly introduced Labour Codes signify a significant transformation towards safer, fairer, and more accountable work environments, as stated by the government.

Sectors like mining, petroleum, metallurgy, chemicals, and heavy manufacturing are crucial to India's economic development, with many workers operating in high-risk settings.

Recognizing the urgency for a more robust, future-ready safety framework for workers, the government has rolled out new Labour Codes that consolidate 29 Central labour laws into 4 comprehensive Labour Codes.

Under The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 (OSH&WC), a more cohesive, preventive safety framework has been established, featuring risk assessments, complimentary annual health check-ups, training, personal protective equipment (PPE), emergency planning, and more.

These reforms enhance safety protocols, enforce risk-mitigation strategies, and boost accountability while providing employers with clearer, simpler, and more predictable regulatory routes.

“Importantly, the new framework aims to ensure safer worksites, greater protections, and more dignified conditions for India’s workforce in hazardous sectors,” an official statement emphasized.

All workers involved in hazardous processes or industries—including chemical, explosive, gas, radiation, mining, construction, dock, and heavy engineering sectors—are thoroughly covered under OSH&WC.

Previously, medical and health records were kept manually, lacking portability and long-term traceability.

Now, health records are compulsory and accessible to employees and inspectors, fostering transparency and long-term portability.

Furthermore, the new Codes mandate pre-employment, periodic, and post-exposure medical examinations, along with a complimentary annual health check-up for all workers. This ensures the early identification of occupational diseases, which lowers medical expenses and promotes a healthier, more productive workforce.

To facilitate efficient social security provisions, immediate compensation for occupational diseases or accidents is guaranteed under the Social Security Code, 2020 (SS)/ESIC.

Moreover, workers are entitled to ESIC benefits (medical, occupational disease, injury, disability, dependents’ benefits).

Additional perks such as provident fund, gratuity, maternity leave, compensation for employment injuries, and old-age protection (pension) are also included, alongside digital health and social security records that enhance transparency and portability.

“With improved safety standards, universal social security, welfare facilities, and emergency response systems, India is constructing a labour ecosystem where security is not a privilege but a guarantee,” the statement noted.