Various norms for the function of DGFASLI in the areas of Occupational Safety and Health in Factories and Docks have been grouped together as per the details given below :

1. Rendering Advice Service

a. National Study/Survey

National Study is conducted in a specific group of industries located in various parts of the country to assess the safety and health conditions of the workers and to suggest remedial measures for further improvement. The national study may also be multi-disciplinary study where more than one division of the institute is involved. As such, a national study requires more time to carry out field work and sample analysis. However, the duration of the study and completion of the report should not be more than 12 months.

b. Studies/Surveys on the directives of Government

Sometimes, Studies and Surveys on safety and health are carried out in the concerned industries on directives from Government to find out the causative factors leading to safety and health problems to the workers in the factory or group of the factories. Such studies/surveys are taken on priority basis and must be completed within 3 months covering field work, sample analysis and preparation of report.

c. Consultancy Study/Survey

Various divisions of Central & Regional Labour Institutes carry out consultancy studies in the area of Industrial Safety, Industrial Hygiene, Industrial Health, Heat Stress, Ventilation, Industrial Ergonomics, Industrial Psychology, Safety Audits, HAZOP study, Maximum Credible Loss Scenario (MCLS), etc. The studies are carried out by assessing the existing conditions of the workplace, process, operation, plant and equipment. On the basis of the observations made and results obtained, the industries are advised for minimizing or eliminating the hazards in the form of a study report. The total duration for carrying out the study and submission of the report depend upon the size of the plant, number of locations, number of samples collected, type of analytical method adopted, etc. As such, the study may be completed and report prepared within 4 months.

d. Technical Advice

Technical advice is given by different divisions of Central & Regional Labour Institutes for improving safety and health status at workplace. The advice may be given on the basis of field visits, personal visit of the concerned industry to the institute or through correspondence. The advice service can be rendered within 30 days.

e. Testing of Personal Protective Equipment

Various types of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), both Respiratory and Non-respiratory are tested in the laboratories at Central Labour Institute, Mumbai. The performance test of the report of the samples received from manufacturers/user industries are submitted within 30 days.

2. Training & Education

a. Human Resource Development for Improving Safety & Health Standards

The officers of the organization are deputed for attending various training programmes organized by other agencies within the country and abroad, for exposure to the latest technical developments that are taking place in the field of Industrial Safety and Health.

b. Post-graduate Diploma in Industrial Safety

Central & Regional Labour Institutes conduct Training for one year full time to award Post-graduate Diploma in Industrial Safety. The Certificate is issued by the Board of Technical Education of the State after passing the examination conducted by the Board.

c. Associate Fellow in Industrial Health (AFIH)

Central & Regional Labour Institutes conduct Training on Occupational Health for 3 months full time to MBBS Doctors. The AFIH certificate is issued by DGFASLI.

d. Certificate Course on Safety & Health for Engineers Working in Construction Industry

Central Labour Institute conducts two months specialized training on Construction Safety for engineers working in Construction industry. The certificate is issued by DGFASLI.

e. Certificate Course on Safety & Health for Supervisory
Personnel

Central & Regional Labour Institutes conduct one month Certificate course on Safety & Health for Supervisory Personnel working in hazardous process industries. The certificate is issued by DGFASLI.

f. Basic Course on Industrial Safety and Health for Inspector
of Factories

Central Labour Institutes conducts training on industrial safety and health for one month duration to the Inspector of Factories sponsored by different State Governments. The certificate is issued by DGFASLI.

g. Short duration Training Programmes

Various divisions of the Central & Regional Labour Institutes conduct one week or two weeks training programmes on different topics of Industrial Safety, Chemical Safety, Occupational Health, Industrial Hygiene, Industrial Physiology, Ergonomics, Industrial Psychology, Productivity, etc. The Certificate for participation of the programme is issued by the Director General at Central Labour Institute & by Director Incharge of the Regional Labour Institute.

h. Training of foreign nationals and advise to developing
countries

The organization undertakes need based training programmes for safety and health enforcement agencies of developing countries. The duration of the programme and topics covered depend upon the requirement of the country concerned. It may vary from one week to 3 months duration.

i. Inplant Training Programme

Inplant Training Programmeon safety and health is conducted by Central & Regional Labour Institute for 2 – 5 days duration depending upon the need of the factories and level of participants. The topics of the programmes are decided on the demand of the factory and the concerned division which is conducting the programme.

3. Co-ordination of technical and legal activities to facilitate uniform standards of enforcement in factories

The DGFASLI co-ordinates technical and legal activities in respect of Factories Act 1948 and amendments 1987, with the State Governments through correspondence, personal visits, meetings and conferences. The organization conducts a conference of Chief Inspector of Factories of the States every year chaired by the Director General, DGFASLI.

4. Administration of the Dock Workers( Safety, Health and Welfare)
Act, 1986.

Administration of the Dock Workers (Safety, Health and Welfare) Act 1986 and the Regulations 1990 is carried out by the Ministry of Labour, through DGFASLI, Mumbai. The Director General is the Chief Inspector of Dock Safety appointed under the Act. The Chief Inspector of Dock Safety is also an authority for enforcement of various Provisions of Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemicals Rules, 1989 framed under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, in the major ports.

5. Promotional Activities by operating Schemes for Safety Awards

To appreciate the contribution made by the factories and docks towards producing quality goods and providing efficient services in safe and healthy conditions the following awards are being given every year.

a. Prime Minister’s Shram Awards (PMSA)

Prime Minister’s Shram Awards (PMSA) were instituted in 1985, for the workers (as defined in industrial Disputes Act, 1947) in recognition of their outstanding contributions in organizations both in public and private sector and who have distinguished record of performance, devotion to duty in a high order, specific contribution in the field of productivity, proven innovative abilities, presence of mind and exceptional courage and also to the workmen who have made supreme sacrifice of laying down their lives in the conscientious discharge of their duties.

The awards, in order of precedence, are : Shram Ratna, Shram Bhushan, Shram Vir/Veerangana and Shram Shri/Devi. The recognition consists of a Sanad and cash award of Rs. Two Lakhs (1 award) Rs. One lakh (4 awards), Rs. 60,000 (12 awards) and Rs. 40,000 (16 awards) respectively.

b. Vishwakarma Rashtriya Puraskar

It is designed to give recognition at the national level to outstanding suggestions resulting in (i) higher productivity (ii) improvement in safety and working conditions (iii) savings in foreign exchange (import substitute as well as quality and safety of products, (iv) improvement in overall efficiency of the establishments. It covers workers employed in factories and docks. Applications for the awards under the Scheme are invited every year and these are forwarded by the management on behalf of the workers. Prizes are grouped in three classes i.e. CLASS (A) = 3, CASH AWARD OF Rs. 50,000/- EACH, CLASS (B) = 5, CASH AWARD OF Rs. 25,000/- EACH AND CLASS (C) = 10, CASH AWARD OF Rs. 10,000/- EACH.

c. National Safety Awards

National Safety Awards are given in recognition of outstanding safety performance on the part of the industrial establishments covered under the Factories Act, 1948, the employees covered under the Dock Worker (Safety, Health and Welfare) Act, 1986 and Building and other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1996. Shields and Citation Certificates are awarded to Winners and Runners Up.

6. Co-operating International Agencies and advising Central Government in the adoption of International Standards concerning Safety and Health

The organization interacts with International Labour Organisation (ILO), World Health Organisation (WHO), United Nations Development Programmes (UNDP), in the areas of Safety & Health and advise Central Government for inclusion of various instruments in legal framework.

7. Approval of Indigenous Electrical Enclosure/Equipment for use in Hazardous Area

DGFASLI is the approving authority for granting approvals to the flameproof enclosures being used in hazardous environment of the factories covered by the Factories Act, 1948 as per IS:2148-1981. DGFASLI is also granting approvals to other electrical equipment intrinsically safe, subject to the fulfillment of the requirements of the Code of Practice IS:13408 (Part I) – 1992.