India moves toward safer, smarter factories: Draft “Factories Workers Rules” under the OSH Code, 2020

In a landmark step toward transforming India’s industrial safety landscape, the Ministry of Labour & Employment has released the Draft Factories Workers Rules, 2025 under Sections 23 and 24 of the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 (OSH Code). These draft rules aim to redefine workplace safety, hygiene, and welfare standards for factories nationwide marking one of the most forward-looking regulatory reforms since the original Factories Act framework.

The proposed rules set out a comprehensive code of modern workplace practices, ensuring that factory environments are cleaner, safer, and technologically aligned with today’s industrial realities. From mandating non-slip flooring and efficient drainage in wet work areas to ensuring proper ventilation, thermal comfort, and protection from excessive heat or harmful fumes, the draft emphasizes that safety must be built into the very design and maintenance of the workplace. Factories will also be required to implement robust exhaust and air purification systems and restrict entry into confined spaces until air quality is verified signalling a zero-tolerance approach to preventable industrial hazards.

Perhaps the most notable change is the explicit focus on preventive safety management, rather than reactive compliance. The draft rules call for a culture of continuous monitoring, routine housekeeping, and engineering-based solutions to industrial risks effectively pushing Indian factories toward international best practices. Employers are expected to document, digitize, and demonstrate compliance, bringing accountability and traceability to workplace safety like never before.

For employers and HR leaders, this is more than just another compliance update it’s an opportunity to rethink industrial design, worker comfort, and operational efficiency. A clean, well-ventilated, and ergonomically sound factory floor not only prevents accidents but also boosts productivity and workforce morale.

The Ministry has invited public feedback within 45 days of the draft notification, giving industries a chance to shape the final version of the rules. Once implemented, these reforms will stand as a key pillar of India’s broader “Ease of Doing Business with Safety” vision balancing growth with the dignity and well-being of its workforce.

In short, the Draft Factories Workers Rules, 2025 don’t just polish the old regulations; they reimagine the factory of the future one where safety, hygiene, and sustainability are not afterthoughts, but the foundation of India’s industrial success.