Parliament Question: Respiratory Tracking System for Workers of Mining Sector

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3518 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.08.2026 RESPIRATORY TRACKING SYSTEM FOR WORKERS OF MINING SECTOR 3518. SHRI ARUN BHARTI: SMT. SHAMBHAVI: SHRI RAJESH VERMA: DR. D. PURANDESWARI: SHRI ATUL GARG: Will the Minister of LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT be pleased to state: (a)whether the Government has operationalised the National Occupational Health Registry to track respiratory and long-term health metrics among mining workers and if so, the details thereof; (b)the details of the non-intrusive wearable sensor systems deployed in May 2026 to track toxic gas exposures in real-time; (c)the details of structural checks established within the central health portal to instantly alert regional medical units during high-risk environmental shifts; (d)the details of criteria used to disburse targeted performance-linked health infrastructure grants to mining cooperatives managing localized medical check-up hubs; (e)the details of measures taken by the Government to integrate the said worker health records with the central ESI database for seamless specialized hospital transfers; and (f)the details of projected reduction in peak occupational health incidents following the nationwide deployment of the said proactive digital monitoring network? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SUSHRI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE) (a) to (f): The Central Government has enacted the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (OSH&WC) Code, 2020, which has come into force with effect from 21.11.2025 to regulate occupational safety, health and working conditions of the persons employed in mining. The Central Government has also notified OSH & WC (Central) Rules 2026 on 08.05.2026. Contd..2/-:: 2 :: The third schedule of the code specifies the list of twenty- nine (29) notifiable diseases including Coal miners' pneumoconiosis, silicosis etc. Rule 8 of the OSH&WC (Central) Rules mandates that the employer shall send a notice to the Inspector-cum-Facilitator or the Chief Inspector-cum-Facilitator whenever a worker contracts any disease specified in the Third Schedule to the Code. Rule 109 of the OSH&WC (Central) Rules, 2026 also mandates that the employer of every mine shall arrange for the initial medical examination of every person seeking employment, as well as annual periodical medical examinations. In cases where the medical examining authority confirms suspected dust-related diseases, the employer shall also arrange for medical examinations at frequent intervals, including x-rays or both, as required. In case of worker affected, the employer shall be liable to pay compensation in accordance with the provisions of Code on Social Security, 2020. The OSH&WC Code, 2020 mandates employers to provide training and supervision, safe and without risk workplace, maintain occupational safety and health standards, personal protective equipment (PPE), welfare facilities, emergency preparedness, first-aid, firefighting arrangements and other safety measures as prescribed. The health record of workers registered with ESIC are maintained in Dhanwantri portal of ESIC. *****