OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY OF CONSTRUCTION WORKERS UNDER THE OCCUPATIONAL, SAFETY, HEALTH AND WORKING CONDITIONS CODE, 2020: A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF IMPLEMENTATION GAPS

AUTHOR – VYABINYAA SHRIEE R S, STUDENT AT THE TAMIL NADU DR. AMBEDKAR LAW UNIVERSITY, SOEL, CHENNAI

BEST CITATION – VYABINYAA SHRIEE R S, OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY OF CONSTRUCTION WORKERS UNDER THE OCCUPATIONAL, SAFETY, HEALTH AND WORKING CONDITIONS CODE, 2020: A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF IMPLEMENTATION GAPS, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 6 (5) OF 2026, PG. 444-456, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344.

ABSTRACT

The construction sector is one of the most hazardous industries, characterized by high rates of accidents, injuries, and occupational diseases. In India, the enactment of the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 (OSH Code, 2020) marked a significant step toward consolidating and modernizing labour laws related to workplace safety. This research critically examines the effectiveness of the OSH Code, 2020 in ensuring occupational safety for construction workers, with a particular focus on implementation gaps. While the Code introduces comprehensive provisions relating to health, safety standards, welfare measures, and employer accountability, challenges persist in its enforcement due to inadequate institutional capacity, lack of awareness among workers, informal employment structures, and weak monitoring mechanisms. The study analyses statutory provisions, existing compliance frameworks, and practical obstacles in implementation. It also highlights the need for stronger regulatory oversight, improved worker training, and enhanced accountability mechanisms. The paper concludes that although the OSH Code, 2020 has the potential to transform workplace safety in the construction sector, its success depends largely on effective enforcement and stakeholder participation

KEYWORDS : Occupational Safety, Construction Workers, OSH Code, 2020, Labour Law Reforms, Workplace Safety, Implementation Gaps, Informal Sector Worker Welfare.