New Delhi: The government announced on Monday that the 2020 Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code (OSHWC Code) and the 2020 Social Security Code will strengthen safety and welfare for workers in the petroleum sector.
The new labour codes place petroleum plants, refineries and fuel depots under a single national safety framework and establish institutionalised welfare measures, the official said.
The OSHWC Code introduces a systematic approach to hazard identification and risk assessment, and it requires government approval before any hazardous activity can start.
It also sets national standards for the handling, storage, transport and disposal of petroleum substances. In addition, the code includes risk‑based inspections, safety audits, an emergency command‑structure, and a digital compliance platform akin to those used by leading global oil and gas companies.
According to the government, worker protection will be greatly improved, as the code mandates comprehensive pre‑employment, periodic and post‑exposure health checks, plus free annual medical examinations for all employees involved in hazardous petroleum operations.
Competency‑based training and certification are compulsory for any worker handling petroleum or hazardous chemicals, the code stipulates.
Employers must provide, maintain and train their workforce, as well as enforce fatigue control through eight‑hour shift limits—a critical safeguard for continuous‑process plants, the statement noted.
The Social Security Code of 2020 further institutionalises welfare by extending the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) coverage to petroleum workplaces. This delivers medical care, injury compensation, disability and dependents’ benefits, as well as maternity protection and compensation for occupational diseases and accidents.
Digital social‑security and health records guarantee portability, transparency and accountability for beneficiaries.
Overall, the government said these codes transform petroleum‑sector safety from a reactive, compliance‑heavy regime into a modern, prevention‑focused, technology‑driven and welfare‑centric framework. The provisions are expected to boost operational discipline, workforce capability, emergency readiness, medical monitoring, regulatory clarity and coordination.
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