Industrial Safety Alert 2026: New Compliance Rules for Hazardous Processes under OSH Code

The Office of the Director of Factories, Telangana, has issued a critical industrial safety compliance circular under the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 (OSH Code 2020), focusing on chemical industry safety, pharma sector compliance, and combustible dust hazard management. The circular strengthens employer compliance obligations under Section 6, mandating implementation of Dust Hazard Analysis (DHA), explosion prevention systems, process safety management, and advanced industrial ventilation systems. It also highlights the importance of preventive maintenance, hazard identification, and risk mitigation strategies for high-risk factories. Key focus areas include workplace safety audits, industrial housekeeping standards, safe plant layout compliance, and dust accumulation control measures, ensuring adherence to factory safety regulations in India. Additionally, the circular mandates employee safety training, emergency preparedness plans, fire safety systems, and mock drills, aligning with ESG compliance, workplace risk management, and industrial safety best practices. Overall, this update is a significant move towards zero accident workplace strategy, compliance-driven safety culture, and enhanced occupational health standards, making it essential for industries to upgrade their safety compliance framework and align with the latest labour law compliance trends in India (2026).