Labour Ministry forms expert committees

Tribune News Service
New Delhi, April 2

The Union government on Thursday constituted Expert Committees comprising industry and subject experts from both public and private sector across the country to review the existing rules and regulations on safety, health, and working conditions standards, pertaining to factories, docks and construction work.

“The Expert Committees for Factories and Dock Works are constituted under Chairmanship of Dr RK Elangovan, DG, DGFASLI, Mumbai,” said the Ministry.

The other two Expert Committees for the Building & Other Construction Works and the Fire Safety are constituted under the Chairmanship of Shri PLN. Murthy, VP and Head Domestic Operations, L&T Hydrocarbon, Chennai and D. K. Shami, Fire Advisor to Union government, MHA respectively.

The OHS&WC Code has been enacted after amalgamating thirteen different labour legislations, and simplifying the laws regulating the occupational safety, health and working conditions in establishments.

The Ministry said committees have been tasked to suggest standards under the OSH &WC Code.

The existing standards in form of rules and regulations pertaining to factories, docks and construction works have not been reviewed since their last notification in 1950, 1990 and 1998 respectively. 

“Hence there is a pressing need to update them to meet the current requirements due to technological progress and system improvements,” added the Ministry.