1. Overview
All businesses in India must ensure that their equipment is used and maintained correctly to reduce the risk of accidents or damage to health and to meet health and safety requirements. Under the Factories Act, 1948, and the Indian Labor Act, employers have a duty to minimize risks to employees.
The Factories Act, 1948, requires employers to ensure that all equipment is properly maintained, and that employees are provided with proper training and supervision to operate equipment safely.
2. Safe Use of Machinery, Equipment, and Tools
Employers are legally required to ensure that all equipment supplied and used for work purposes is safe and does not pose a long-term hazard or risk to employee health. Employers are also required to ensure that those using equipment have sufficient knowledge and training to use it safely.
The Directorate General of Factory Advice Service and Labor Institutes (DGFASLI) provides guidelines for the safe use of machinery, equipment, and tools in the workplace.
Some of the key guidelines include:
- Ensuring that all equipment is properly installed, maintained, and inspected regularly
- Providing employees with proper training and supervision to operate equipment safely
- Ensuring that all equipment is properly guarded to prevent accidents
- Providing employees with personal protective equipment (PPE) such as helmets, safety shoes, and gloves
3. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
The Employees' State Insurance Act, 1948, requires employers to provide personal protective equipment (PPE) to employees who are exposed to hazardous conditions in the workplace.
Employers must provide PPE such as helmets, safety shoes, gloves, and goggles to employees who work with hazardous equipment or in hazardous environments.
Some of the key guidelines for PPE include:
- Ensuring that all PPE is properly maintained and inspected regularly
- Providing employees with proper training and supervision to use PPE correctly
- Ensuring that all PPE is properly fitted to prevent accidents
- Providing employees with regular medical check-ups to ensure that they are fit to wear PPE
4. Prevent Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI) and Upper Limb Disorders (ULDs)
Employers must take steps to prevent RSI and ULDs in the workplace. This includes providing employees with regular breaks, adjusting workstations to reduce strain, and providing training on proper lifting techniques.
Some of the key guidelines for preventing RSI and ULDs include:
- Ensuring that all workstations are properly designed and adjusted to reduce strain
- Providing employees with regular breaks to rest and stretch
- Providing training on proper lifting techniques to prevent accidents
- Encouraging employees to report any discomfort or pain
5. Work Safely at Height or in a Confined Space
Employers must ensure that employees who work at height or in confined spaces are properly trained and equipped to do so safely.
The Indian Standards Institution (ISI) provides guidelines for working at height and in confined spaces.
Some of the key guidelines include:
- Ensuring that all equipment is properly maintained and inspected regularly
- Providing employees with proper training and supervision to work at height or in confined spaces safely
- Ensuring that all employees wear proper PPE such as harnesses and respirators
- Providing employees with regular medical check-ups to ensure that they are fit to work at height or in confined spaces
6. Risk Assessments
Employers must conduct regular risk assessments to identify potential hazards in the workplace and take steps to mitigate them.
The risk assessment should include an evaluation of the risks associated with equipment, work processes, and work environments.
Some of the key guidelines for risk assessments include:
- Identifying potential hazards in the workplace
- Evaluating the risks associated with each hazard
- Implementing controls to mitigate each hazard
- Reviewing and updating the risk assessment regularly
7. Employee Training
Employers must provide employees with regular training on health and safety procedures, including the use of equipment, PPE, and emergency procedures.
Some of the key guidelines for employee training include:
- Providing employees with proper training and supervision to operate equipment safely
- Providing employees with regular training on health and safety procedures
- Encouraging employees to report any hazards or accidents
- Providing employees with regular medical check-ups to ensure that they are fit to work
8. Compliance with Indian Laws and Regulations
Employers must comply with Indian laws and regulations related to health and safety, including the Factories Act, 1948, the Employees' State Insurance Act, 1948, and the Indian Labour Act.
Some of the key guidelines for compliance include:
- Ensuring that all equipment is properly maintained and inspected regularly
- Providing employees with proper training and supervision to operate equipment safely
- Ensuring that all employees wear proper PPE
- Providing employees with regular medical check-ups to ensure that they are fit