**Executive Summary**
This document is a response from the Minister of Coal & Mines to a parliamentary question regarding safety measures and grievance redressal for employees in Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) under the Ministry of Coal. The response details the implementation of the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020, and the measures taken to ensure its effective enforcement, including the implementation of Coal Mines Regulations, 2017. The response was answered on 11.02.2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Safety Measures & Compliance:**
* The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (OSH&WC) Code, 2020, came into force on 21.11.2025, regulating working conditions and safeguarding the health, safety, and welfare of workers, including mine workers.
* Coal sector-specific safety regulations under the Coal Mines Regulations, 2017, prescribe modernisation, mechanisation, emergency response, and evacuation requirements in coal mines.
* Mechanisms to ensure compliance with national and international safety standards in Coal PSUs:
* Adoption of Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment based Safety Management Plan.
* Accreditation of ISO-45001 for mining establishments.
* Incorporation of modern safety features in mining machinery.
* Technological intervention for monitoring safety parameters.
* **Implementation of Labour Code Measures:**
* Awareness campaigns using various materials and platforms across mines, offices, and related areas.
* Extensive use of digital platforms and social media for employee awareness.
* Placement of awareness boards at entry and exit gates.
* Dissemination of simplified briefs in multiple languages through digital channels.
* Last-mile outreach through field-level officer interaction during shift changes.
* **Grievance Redressal Mechanism:**
* Coal PSUs have a functional grievance redressal mechanism.
* Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS) for welfare amenities and service matters, regularly monitored and disposed of within prescribed timelines.
* Coal India Limited’s e-Nivaran portal for separated employees and their dependents, providing a transparent, efficient, and time-bound system with real-time tracking.
* Representations through email and hard copy are acknowledged, examined, and disposed of in accordance with rules and guidelines.
* Existing mechanisms are periodically reviewed for effectiveness, transparency, and responsiveness.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Employees of Coal PSUs (including mine workers)**
* **Impact:** Improved safety, health, and working conditions due to the OSH&WC Code, 2020, and Coal Mines Regulations, 2017. Access to multiple grievance redressal platforms for welfare amenities and service matters.
* **Action Required:** Engage with awareness campaigns, utilize available grievance redressal mechanisms, and adhere to new safety regulations.
**Stakeholder: Ministry of Coal & Mines**
* **Impact:** Oversight and management of safety standards and grievance redressal in Coal PSUs.
* **Action Required:** Ensure enforcement of OSH&WC Code, Coal Mines Regulations, and effective operation of grievance redressal mechanisms; periodically review and improve the existing systems.
**Stakeholder: Coal India Limited**
* **Impact:** Responsible for operating e-Nivaran portal for grievance redressal of separated employees and dependents.
* **Action Required:** Maintain and improve e-Nivaran portal, ensuring efficiency and transparency.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Coal: The primary ministry responsible for the policy's implementation and oversight.
Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (OSH&WC) Code, 2020: A key piece of legislation regulating working conditions and workplace environments to ensure worker safety and welfare.
Coal Mines Regulations, 2017: Coal sector-specific safety regulations pertaining to modernization, mechanization, emergency response, and evacuation in coal mines.
Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS): A system for lodging and monitoring grievances related to welfare and service matters in Coal PSUs.
e-Nivaran Portal: A grievance redressal portal launched by Coal India Limited for separated employees and their dependents.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COAL
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1905
ANSWERED ON 11.02.2026
Safety Measures for Employees
†1905. Dr. Sambit Patra:
Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:
(a) the details of safety measures in place for the welfare of employees working in the
Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) under the Ministry of Coal:
(b) whether the Ministry has developed any mechanism to ensure compliance with
national and international safety standards for personnel working in these
undertakings and if so, the details thereof;
(c) the measures being taken by the Ministry to ensure the successful implementation
of the four Labour Codes issued by the Union Government under the recently
announced labour reforms; and
(d) whether any proposal to undertake a comprehensive review of the grievance
redressal system established for the welfare and safety of personnel working in these
undertakings is under consideration and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF COAL & MINES
(SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)
(a) & (b): The Government has enacted the Occupational Safety, Health and Working
Conditions (OSH&WC) Code, 2020, which came into force on 21.11.2025. The Code
regulates working conditions and workplace environments to safeguard the health,
safety, and welfare of workers, including mine workers.
Further, coal sector-specific safety regulations have been implemented under the Coal
Mines Regulations, 2017, to prescribe modernisation, mechanisation, emergency
response and evacuation requirements in coal mines. Appropriate mechanism is in
place to ensure compliance with national and international safety standards for
personnel working in Coal PSUs, which includes:
1. Adoption of Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment based Safety
Management Plan.
2. Accreditation of ISO-45001 for mining establishments.
3. Incorporation of modern safety features in mining machinery.
4. Technological intervention for monitoring safety parameters.(c): Since enactment of the Labour Code on 21.11.2025, the following measures have
been undertaken to ensure effective implementation:
1. Awareness campaigns through standees, handbills, display boards, banners
and materials approved by the Ministry of Labour & Employment across mines,
offices, colonies, lamp rooms and canteens;
2. Extensive use of digital platforms and social media to generate awareness
among employees;
3. Placement of awareness boards and standees at entry and exit gates to ensure
maximum visibility;
4. Dissemination of simplified briefs in English, Hindi and regional languages
through WhatsApp and internal digital channels; and
5. Last-mile outreach through interaction by field-level officers with workers during
shift-change hours.
(d): Coal PSUs have a well-established and functional grievance redressal mechanism
operating through multiple platforms, as detailed below:
Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS):
Grievances relating to welfare amenities and service matters are lodged through
CPGRAMS and are regularly monitored and disposed of by the concerned divisions
within prescribed timelines.
e-Nivaran Portal: Coal India Limited has launched the e-Nivaran portal for the
redressal of grievances of separated employees and their dependents. The portal
provides a transparent, efficient and time-bound grievance redressal mechanism with
real-time tracking and status updates through SMS and email.
Representations through email and hard copy: Representations received through
official email or in hard copy are duly acknowledged, examined and disposed of by the
competent authority in accordance with extant rules and guidelines.
The existing grievance redressal mechanisms are reviewed periodically to ensure their
effectiveness, transparency and responsiveness.
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