Indian HSE Laws

Indian HSE (Health, Safety, and Environment) laws are a comprehensive set of legal frameworks designed to protect workers’ health and safety, promote environmental sustainability, and ensure safe working conditions across industries. Here’s a categorized overview of key Indian HSE laws:

1. Occupational Health and Safety Laws

A. Factories Act, 1948

  • Primary legislation for health, safety, and welfare of workers in factories.

  • Covers provisions related to:

    • Working hours, safety measures, machinery guarding

    • Occupational health (ventilation, lighting, cleanliness)

    • Welfare (drinking water, sanitation, canteens)

B. Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1996 (BOCW Act)

  • Applicable to construction workers and contractors.

  • Mandates safety measures, accident prevention, welfare facilities.

C. Mines Act, 1952

  • Applicable to mining operations.

  • Provides for the health, safety, and welfare of workers in mines.

D. Dock Workers (Safety, Health and Welfare) Act, 1986

  • Ensures safety in dock work operations.

2. Labour Codes (New Framework)

India has consolidated 29 labor laws into 4 labor codes, of which two impact HSE directly:

A. Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020

  • Replaces multiple acts (Factories Act, Mines Act, BOCW, etc.)

  • Key features:

    • Applicability to all establishments with 10 or more workers

    • Mandatory health and safety standards

    • Appointment of safety officers, safety committees

    • Worker rights and duties defined

B. Code on Wages, 2019

  • Though not directly HSE-related, ensures fair wages and minimum standards affecting overall worker welfare.

3. Environmental Protection Laws

A. Environment (Protection) Act, 1986

  • Umbrella act for environment protection.

  • Empowers the central government to regulate emissions, waste management, hazardous substances.

B. Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981

  • Controls and abates air pollution.

C. Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974

  • Prevents and controls water pollution.

D. Hazardous Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules, 1989 / 2016

  • Management and disposal of hazardous waste by industries.

E. The E-Waste Management Rules, 2016

  • Guidelines for handling and disposal of electronic waste.

F. The Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016

  • Mandates proper segregation, collection, and disposal of plastic waste.

4. Fire and Life Safety Regulations

A. National Building Code (NBC) of India

  • Guidelines for fire prevention, fire protection, life safety, and emergency response in buildings.

B. Explosives Act, 1884 and Petroleum Act, 1934

  • Governs manufacture, transport, storage of hazardous/explosive materials.

5. Other Key Regulations

  • The Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991 – Compensation for victims of accidents due to hazardous substances.

  • The National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 – Establishes the NGT for fast-track environmental justice.

  • The Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemicals Rules, 1989 – Risk management and emergency response for hazardous chemicals.

  • Factories (Amendment) Act (State-wise) – Several states have added stricter provisions.