Introduction
On 6th June 2025, the Government of Gujarat notified the much-anticipated Gujarat Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Rules, 2025 under the OSHWC Code, 2020. These rules consolidate several previous labour regulations, aiming to streamline and strengthen workplace safety, health, and welfare standards across factories and establishments in Gujarat.
This blog summarizes the important provisions of these rules, their applicability, registration process, employer duties, and penalties for non-compliance.
Applicability of the Gujarat OSHWC Rules, 2025
These rules apply to:
- All factories, establishments, and building or construction sites
- Where the State Government is the appropriate authority
- Located within the territorial limits of Gujarat
They came into force simultaneously with the OSHWC Code, 2020, aiming for a unified labour law framework.
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Key Definitions
Some crucial definitions under the Rules include:
- Workplace: Any place where workers are present for work under the employer’s control.
- Safety Committee: A mandatory body in hazardous and large establishments ensuring safety compliance.
- Scaffold, excavation, demolition, confined spaces: Broadly defined to cover diverse construction scenarios.
- Dangerous Occurrences: Specific events like gas leaks, fire, or structural collapses that require immediate reporting.
Registration Requirements (Sections 3 to 5)
✅ New Registrations:
Employers must register their establishment electronically via the Labour Commissioner’s Portal using Form 1 and upload:
- Identity & address proof of employer
- Details of the establishment/factory
- PAN and other statutory numbers
📜 Certificate of Registration:
Issued in Form 2 electronically
Auto-approved if no response within 7 days
Non-transferable and must be displayed
💸 Registration Fees:
No. of Workers Fee
Up to 49 ₹500
50 to 99 ₹1,000
100 to 299 ₹5,000
300+ ₹10,000
Late Fee for delays beyond 60 days is imposed at rates ranging from 5% to 1% per day (over 90 days).
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Existing Establishments
Those already registered under earlier labour laws (e.g., Factories Act, CLRA, BOCW) must update their details on the new portal within 180 days—free of cost.
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Employer Duties (Sections 6 to 15)
- Medical Check-ups: Mandatory annual health check-ups for employees aged 45+
- Appointment Letters: All employees must receive structured appointment letters with wage and benefit details
Safety Committees:
- Compulsory in hazardous units and construction sites with 250+ workers
- Must meet quarterly
- Include equal representation of workers and management
Accident & Disease Reporting:
- Serious accidents or dangerous occurrences must be reported within 12 hours
- Notifiable diseases must be reported via Form 8 or 9
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Rights & Duties of Workers
- Report Unsafe Conditions: Workers have the right and duty to report unsafe conditions to safety officers or management.
- Access to Health Data: Workers can seek information and training on workplace safety.
- Prohibited Acts: Workers cannot consume intoxicants, obstruct safety officers, or sleep on duty.
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Safety Officers – Mandatory Appointment
In Factories:
1 officer for 500–1500 workers
More officers for larger numbers or hazardous operations
In Construction:
Mandatory if 250+ workers or if high-risk operations (e.g., tunneling, demolition) are involved
Officer must have engineering qualification and safety certification
State Advisory Board
A multi-stakeholder State Occupational Safety and Health Advisory Board is constituted to oversee the implementation of these rules. It includes representatives from:
- Labour, Health, and Environment departments
- Employer and worker organizations
- Safety professionals and regulators
Penalties for Non-Compliance
- Registration delays invite penalties and late fees
- Wrongful information can lead to cancellation of registration
- Failure to report incidents/diseases may attract legal action
Conclusion
The Gujarat OSHWC Rules, 2025 mark a significant step in creating safe and compliant workplaces. All employers must act promptly to ensure:
- Timely registration
- Regular health checks
- Reporting mechanisms
- Appointing safety staff
- Issuing appointment letters
For Gujarat industries, timely compliance not only avoids penalties but also creates a culture of health and safety, essential for productivity and workforce well-being.
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📌 Need Help?
For expert assistance in registration, compliance audits, or safety officer recruitment, reach out to Compliance Monk today!