PUNJAB OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ACT, 2019

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THE PUNJAB OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH 
ACT, 2019 
(IV of 2019) 
CONTENTS 
1. Short title, extent and commencement 
2. Definitions 
3. Duties of employer 
4. Duties of employees 
5. Duties of self-employed and employers to persons other than their 
employees 
6. Duties of persons in control of certain premises to persons other than 
their employees 
7. Duties of manufacturers regarding articles and substances 
8. Safety and Health 
9. Written statement of policy 
10. Consultation 
11. Precautions against contagious, occupational or infectious disease at 
workplaces 
12. Registration of workplaces and approval of sites, buildings and other 
constructions to be used as workplaces 
13. Notification and investigation of accidents, dangerous occurrences 
and occupational illness 
14. Establishment of Occupational Safety and Health Council 
15. Functions and Powers of the Council 
16. Appointment and qualification of Chief Inspector and Inspector 
17. Assistance by other agencies 
18. Discloser of information 
19. Offences and Penalties 
20. Cognizance of offences 
21. Trial of offences 
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22. Appeal 
23. Indemnity 
24. Display at establishment 
25. Limitation for records 
26. Contracting out 
27. Collection of Statistics 
28. Transition 
29. Power to make rules 
30. Provisions of this Act to be addition to and not in derogation of certain 
laws 
31. Limitation 
32. Removal of difficulties 
  
3 
 
 
TEXT 
1THE PUNJAB OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ACT, 2019 
(IV of 2019) 
 [25th January, 2019] 
An 
Act 
to provide for occupational safety and health at workplace. 
It is necessary to make a nd consolidate the  law for the o ccupational safety 
and health of the persons at workplace and to protect them against risks arising out 
of the occupational hazards ; to promote safe and healthy working environment 
catering to the physiological and psychological needs of the employees at workplace 
and to provide for matters connected therewith or ancillary thereto. 
Be it enacted by Provincial Assembly of the Punjab as follows: 
1. Short title, extent and commencement.– (1) This Act may be cited as the 
Punjab Occupational Safety and Health Act 2019. 
 (2) It extends to whole of the Punjab.  
 (3) It shall come into force at once.  
(4) The Government may, by order, exempt specified workplaces from the 
operation of th e Act, either wholly or partially, and for such period as may be 
specified. 
2. Definitions.– In this Act: 
(a) “Act” means the Punjab Occupational Safety and Health Act 2019; 
(b) “accident” means an  incident that happens unexpectedly and 
unintentionally and thereby causes damage or harm; 
(c) Committee” means a Committee constituted under the Act; 
(d) “contractor” means any person or a body, whether incorporated or not, 
who contracts with a principal to carry out the whole or part of any work 
undertaken by the principal in the course of or for the purpose of th e 
principal’s trade or business and includes sub-contractor; 
(e) “Council” means the Punjab Council of Occupational Safe ty and Health 
constituted under the Act; 
(f) “Chief Inspector”  means the Chief Insp ector appointed 2[under the 
Factories Act, 1934 (XXV of 1934)]; 
(g) “employee” means any person employed or engaged, whether directly 
or indirectly for wages or any other form of any other consideration or a 
 
1This Act was passed by Provincial Assembly of the Punjab on 23 January 2019 ; and was assented to by Governor of the Punjab on  
25 January 2019; and was published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 25 January 2019, pp.1787-1796. 
2Substituted by the Punjab Occupational Safety and Health (Amendment) Act 2022 (XXIV of 2022), published in the Punjab Gazette 
(Extraordinary), dated: 31 October 2022, pp. 1679-1680, s.2. 
4 
 
volunteer to do any skilled or unskilled, professional, technical, clerical, 
manual or other work, in connection with the affa irs of an establishment 
under any contract of service or apprenticeship, whether written or oral, 
express or implied and includes such a person when laid off or 
terminated; retrenched; dismissed and or removed from employment 
under this Act and includes an y person or class of persons which the 
Government may specify by notification in official gazette, but does not 
include: 
(i) a person employed in the Armed Forces; and 
(ii) a person employed in sensitive installations as may be 
prescribed by the Government.  
(h) “employer” means a person  or agent that employs, contracts or 
engages in any manner whatsoever one or more people for wages or 
salary; 
(i) “establishment” includes any business, trade, profession, service, 
office, firm, factory, society, undertaking, company , educational 
institution, hospital, clinic, laboratory, shop, workshop, warehouse, 
enterprise or organization of whatsoever nature including transportation 
which employs or engages an employee directly or through a contractor 
or sub-contractor for the pur pose of carrying on any business activity, 
industry or excavation and includes all its departments, branches and 
premises whether situated at the same place or at different places; 
(j) “factory” means any premises or the precincts thereof, where one or 
more employees are working or were working on any day of the 
preceding twelve months and in any part of which a manufactu ring 
process is to be carried out  or is ordinarily carried out  with or witho ut 
the aid of power but does not include a mine; 
(k) “Government” means Government of the Punjab; 
(l)   “harm” means illness, disease, i njury or a combination of these  and 
includes physical or mental harm caused by any work-related incident; 
(m) “hazard” means an activity, arrangements, circumstances, event, 
occurrence, phenomenon, process, situation or substance, whether 
arising or used within or outside a place of wor k, that is an actual or 
potential cause or source of harm; 
(n) “Inspector” means an Insp ector appointed under the provisions of the 
Act; 
(o) “machinery” means an engine, motor or other appliances provid ing 
energy derived from compressed air, the combustion of fuel, electricity, 
gas, gaseous products, steam, water, wind or any other source; and 
includes: 
(i) any plant by or to which the motion of any machinery is 
transmitted; and  
(ii) a lifting machine, a lifting ve hicle, a machine whose motive 
power is wholly or partly generated manually and a tractor. 
(p) “premises” means any place and includes: 
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(i) a land, building or part of any building; 
(ii) a vehicle, watercraft or aircraft; 
(iii) an installation on land including the foreshore and other land 
intermittently covered by water and offshore installation and any 
other installation whether floating or resting on the seabed or the 
subsoil thereof or resting on other land covered with water or the 
subsoil therefore; and 
(iv) a tent or moveable structure. 
(q) “prescribed” means prescribed by  the rules or regulations made under 
the Act; 
(r) “risk” means the probability that injury or damage shall occur; 
(s) “regulations” means the regulations framed under the Act and the 
rules; 
(t) “rules” means the rules made under the Act; 
(u) “self-employed person” means an individual who works for gain or 
reward otherwise than under a contract of employment, whether o r not 
that person employs other persons; and 
(v) “workplace” means any premises where work is carried out, by one or 
more persons and includes premise s used for the storage of tools, 
machinery, equipment or substances: 
Explanation: A person is in a place of work wherever he may perform work, 
including a place that the person moves through. 
3. Duties of employer.– (1) Every employer shall:  
(a) take all possible and reasonably practicable measures to ensure safety 
and health of the employees at the workplace;  
(b) ensure systematic and effective   identification of the existing and new 
hazards at the workplace on a regular basis; 
(c) arrange for training of safety and health representatives every year to 
attend health and safety training as approved by the Government and 
shall bear all expenses thereof; 
(d) get, at his own expense, the employees vaccinated and inoculated 
against occupational related 3[diseases] at such intervals as may be 
prescribed; 
(e) ensure provision and application of processes, systems of work and 
tasks to be safe and without risks of harm to health; 
(f) ensure provision and maintenance of tools, machinery, equipment and 
appliances which are safe and without risks of harm; 
(g) make arrangements to control and prevent physical, chemical, 
biological, radiological, ergonomics  and psycho -social or any other 
hazards to the employees and other persons at the workplace; 
 
3Substituted for the word ‘deceases’ by the Punjab Occupational Safety and Health (Amendment) Act 2022 (XXIV of 2022), published in the 
Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 31 October 2022, pp. 1679-1680, s.3. 
6 
 
(h) provide such information, instructions, training and supervision, as i s 
necessary or required under the Act and the rules;  
(i) keep the workplace in safe, clean orderly and harm-free condition, and 
provide and maintain safe means of access to and egress from the 
workplace;  
(j) inform the employees in an understandable manner and in accessible 
written form, before any work commences, the hazards associated with 
their work, risks involved and the preventative and protective  measures 
that need to be taken; 
(k) provide where necessary to the employees,  at his  own expense, if  
hazards cannot otherwise be eliminated or controlled, adequate 
protective clothing an d protective equipment as  may be approved by 
the 4[Council], to prevent every risks of harm  and of adverse effects on 
health; 
(l) maintain in the general  register particulars of all accidents including 
dangerous occurrences, commuting accidents and suspected cases of 
occupational diseases at the workplace and submit the extracts thereof 
to the 5[Council]; 
(m) provide where necessary measures including adequate first aid 
arrangements to deal with emergencies, dangerous occurrences, 
accidents and industrial disasters; and 
(n) take all practical measures for the prevention of fires or explosions and 
for the provision of safety measures in the event of fire or explosions as 
well. 
(2) The employer shall record particulars of an accident or harm which 
occurs at a workplace and shall take all reasonably practicable steps to ensure that 
the event is so investigated as to determine the cause of accident or harm. 
 (3) Wherever two or more undertakings engage in activities simultaneously 
at one workplace, the employers of each undertaking shall collaborate in appl ying 
the provisions of the Act. 
4. Duties of employees.– Every employee at the workplace shall ensure:  
(a) reasonable care for his own safety and that of other persons who 
may be affected by his acts  or omissions at  the workplace 
without willfully do ing anything to enda nger himself or other 
persons;  
(b) proper use of any protective clothing and protective equipment;  
(c) no willful interference with or misuse of any means, appliances, 
equipment or any other thing;  
(d) his escape from the place of danger and report forthwith to the 
immediate supervisor of any situation; and 
 
4Substituted for the word ‘Government’ by the Punjab Occupational Safety and Health (Amendment) Act 2022 (XXIV of 2022), published in 
the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 31 October 2022, pp. 1679-1680, s.3. 
5Substituted for the word ‘Government’ by the Punjab Occupational Safety and Health (Amendment) Act 2022 (XXIV of 2022), published in 
the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 31 October 2022, pp. 1679-1680, s.3. 
7 
 
(e) reporting the matter to the 6[Chief Inspector]  in the prescribed 
manner: 
Provided that w here the threat cannot be controlled in view of the 7[Chief 
Inspector], it may direct the employees who could be affected , to cease work until 
remedial action is taken to the satisfaction of the 8[Chief Inspector]:  
Provided further that where work ceases , the employer may allow the 
employees to undertake temporary alternative work on the same terms and 
conditions and continuance of his employment shall not be affected until the dispute 
is resolved by the 9[Chief Inspector]. 
5. Duties of self -employed and employers to persons other than their 
employees.– Every self-employed person and every employer so far as reasonably 
practicable, shall ensure safety and health of the persons other than his employees 
and take necessary steps for awareness of the potential affectees.  
6. Duties of persons in control of certain premises to persons other than 
their employees.–Every person not bein g a worker but using a premises , shall, so 
far as is reasonably practicable ensure that the premises, all means of access 
thereto or egress therefrom available for use by persons using the premises and any 
plant or substance in the premises is or are used in a safe manner  and without risks 
to health.  
7. Duties of manufacturers regarding articles and substances .– Every 
person who assembles or installs or erects  any tool, machinery, equipment or stores 
a substance for use at a workplace, shall  ensure that: 
(a) the assembly, installation,  erection or storage is done in a safe 
manner; and 
(b) the person who shall use  such tools, machinery, equipment or handle 
such substance is  provided with all information as regards handling, 
commissioning, use and maintenance of the same. 
8. Safety and  Health.– (1) The Government may in consultation with the 
Council, by notification in the official Gazette, provide for  safety and health of 
persons in any establishment or a class of establishments in the prescribed manner. 
 (2) Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing provision , the rules 
made under subsection (1) may include but not be limited to the following matters: 
(a) design, siting, structural features, installation, maintenance, repair and 
alteration of workplaces and means of access thereto and egr ess 
therefrom; 
(b) lighting, ventilation, odour, temperature, noise, dust, fume, artificial 
 
6Substituted for the word ‘Council’ by the Punjab Occupational Safety and Health (Amendment) Act 2022 (XXIV of 2022), published in the 
Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 31 October 2022, pp. 1679-1680, s.4. 
7Substituted for the word ‘Council’ by the Punjab Occupational Safety and Health (Amendment) Act 2022 (XXIV of 2022), published in the 
Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 31 October 2022, pp. 1679-1680, s.4. 
8Substituted for the word ‘Council’ by the Punjab Occupational Safety and Health (Amendment) Act 2022 (XXIV of 2022), published in the 
Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 31 October 2022, pp. 1679-1680, s.4. 
9Substituted for the word ‘Council’ by the Punjab Occupational Safety and Health (Amendment) Act 2022 (XXIV of 2022), published in the 
Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 31 October 2022, pp. 1679-1680, s.4. 
8 
 
humidification and cleanliness of workplaces; 
(c) design, construction, use, maintenance, testing and inspection of 
machinery and equipment liable to present hazards and, as 
appropriate, their removal and transfer; 
(d) prevention of harmful physical or mental stress due to conditions of 
work; 
(e) handling, stacki ng and storage of loads and materials, manually or 
mechanically; 
(f) guarding and fencing of the machinery and work at or near machinery 
in motion; 
(g) instructions, training and supervision in relation to employment on 
dangerous machine and  fencing or casing of m achinery, wet floors, 
open wiring, safety escapes, emergency exits, safe electric wiring and 
fitting etc; 
(h) manufacture, packing, labelling, transport, storage and use of 
dangerous substances and agents, disposal of their wastes and 
residues and, as appropri ate, their replacement by other substances 
or agents which are not dangerous or which are less dangerous; 
(i) control of the atmosphere and other ambient factors of workplaces; 
(j) prevention and control of hazards due to high and low barometric 
pressures; 
(k) prevention of fires and explosions and measures to be taken in case 
of fire or explosion; 
(l) design, manufacture, supply, use, maintenance and testing of 
personal protective equipment and protective clothing; 
(m) sanitary installations, washing facilities, facili ties for changing and 
storing clothes, supply of drinking water and any other welfare 
facilities connected with occupational safety and health; 
(n) use, handling and storage of excessive weights; 
(o) use and handling of loading and earth moving machinery; 
(p) use, handling and storage of cranes, hoist, lifts and other lifting  
operations; 
(q) installation and use of scaffolding and work at height; 
(r) first-aid treatment; 
(s) establishment of emergency plans; and 
(t) supervision of the health of employees. 
9. Written statement of policy.– Every employer shall, except in such cases as 
may be prescribed, declare a statement in writing, duly approved by Chief Inspector, 
prepared in consultation with employees and their representative s of a general 
policy, with respect to the  safety and health of all persons at the workplace and the 
policy shall be reviewed and revised when: 
(a) alteration to the procedures for managing risks to safety is made; and 
9 
 
(b) changes to the premises where persons work, to the systems or 
methods of work or to the plant or substances used for work are made 
that may affect safety, health or welfare. 
10. Consultation.– At every workplace the employer shall:  
(a) provide for the election of safety and health representatives from 
among the employees in establishments with more than 5 employees 
and such representatives shall represent the employees in all matters 
relating to the safety, health and welfare at work in the manner as may 
be prescribed; and 
(b) appoint a competent person to function as safety and health officer at 
the workplace in the prescribed manner.  
11. Precautions against contagious, occupational or infectious disease at  
workplaces.– (1) Each employee shall be provided with a hygiene card in which, 
during the month of January and July every y ear, entries shall be recorded after 
examination by a registered medical practitioner, appointed by the employer, to the 
effect that the employee is not suffering from any contagious, occupational or 
infectious disease. The fee of such an examination shall  be fixed by the Government 
and will be borne by the occupier or manager of the workplace. 
(2) If the employee is found to be suffering from any contagious, 
occupational or infectious disease, on an examination under sub-section (1), he shall 
not be permitted to work till he is declared fit by the medical practitioner appointed 
under subsection (1). 
12. Registration of workplaces and approval of sites, buildings and other 
constructions to be used as  workplaces.– An employer or a self -employed 
person shall not build, fit out, alter or use any site or building as a workplace, unless 
such plan, site or building is approved in such manner as may be prescribed.  
13. Notification and investigation of accidents, dangerous occurrences  
and occupational illness.– (1) Every employer shall maintain a register of 
accidents and harm in the prescribed manner and shall record in the register the 
prescribed particulars relating to: 
(a) every accident that harmed or as the case may be might have  harmed 
any employee at work;  or any person in a place of work controlled by 
the employer; and 
(b) every occurrence of harm to an employee or self -employed person at 
work or as a result of any hazard to which employee was exposed 
while at work in the employment of the employer. 
(2) Every self-employed person shall  maintain a register of accidents and 
harm in the prescribed form and must record in the register the prescribed particulars 
relating to: 
(a) every accident that harmed or as the case may be might have harmed 
the self-employed person at work;  
(b) every accident resulting from the work of the self -employed person that 
harmed or as the case may be might have harmed any person; and 
(c) every occurrence of harm to the self-employed person: 
10 
 
(i) while at work; or 
(ii) as a result of any hazard to which the self -employed person 
was exposed while at work. 
 (3) Every employer or self-employed person shall mainta in a register and 
record of any accident that occurs in a workplace which- 
(a) causes loss of life;  
(b) disables any person from reporting to normal work for more than seven 
days; and 
(c) makes any person unconscious as a result of any action or process 
related to work. 
 (4) The employer and self-employed person shall report every accident in 
the prescribed manner to the Inspector within twenty four hours of the occurrence of 
the accident. 
(5) Where an accident results in disablement or death of person at the 
workplace, a notice in writing of such disablement or death shall be sent to the 
employer or the self-employed person in control of the workplace within twenty hour 
hours of the communication of the disability or death. 
 (6) Where at any workplace the possibility of the employees being 
subjected to special  risks or hazards to safety and health at work, the Chief 
Inspector may require such employees to undergo pre -employment and periodic 
medical examinations suited for the circumstance and at periods so determined 
which the employer and the employees shall comply. 
(7) The medical examination shall be performe d at a h ospital authorized 
by Government and the cost thereof shall be paid by the employer. 
14. Establishment of Occupational Safety and Health  Council.– (1) After the 
commencement of the Act, the Government shall, by notification in the official 
Gazette, establish an Occupational Safety and Health Council to exercise such 
powers and perform such functions assigned to it under the provisions of the Act. 
10[(2) The Council shall consist of Secretary to the Government, Labour and 
Human Resource Department as its Chairperson and the following members: 
(a) Secretary to the Government, Industries, Commerce and Investment 
Department; 
(b) Secretary to the Government, Environment Protection Department; 
(c) Secretary to the Government, Primary and Secondary Healthcare 
Department; 
(d) Secretary to the Government, Housing, Urban Development and Public 
Health Engineering Department; 
(e) Secretary to the Government, Local Government and Community 
Development Department; 
(f) Commissioner of the Provincial Employees Social Security Institute; 
 
10Substituted by the Punjab Occupational Safety and Health (Amendment) Act 2022 (XXIV of 2022), published in the Punjab Gazette 
(Extraordinary), dated: 31 October 2022, pp. 1679-1680, s.5. 
11 
 
(g) Director General Labour Welfare, Punjab, Member / Secretary; 
(h) three persons including one woman from organizat ions, representing 
employers; 
(i) three persons including one woman from organizations, representing 
employees; 
(j) three officers not below the rank of BPS 18, relevant to occupational 
safety and health from Labour and Human Resource Department of the 
Government; and 
(k) three persons including one woman from organizations or professional 
bodies related to occupational safety and health.] 
(3) The Council shall meet at least once in every six months in a calendar 
year. 
 (4) Nine members of the Council shall form quorum for a meeting of the 
Council 11[.] 
12[*****] 
 (5) Subject to the provisions of the Act, the Council may regulate its own 
procedure with regard to its meetings. 
(6) The Council may constitute 13[such Committee consisting of such of  its 
members] as it may deem fit, to exercise such powers and perform such 
duties, subject to such conditions, as may be prescribed. 
15. Functions and Powers of the Council .– Without prejudice to the 
responsibility of each employer for the safety and health of employees in his 
establishment and with due regard to the necessity for employees to participate in 
matters of occupational safety and health under the Act, the Council shall: 
(a) carry out inspections of establishments under the Act, either 
periodically or randomly but not less than twice in a calendar year; 
(b) establish an effective complaint and reporting procedure which allows 
for the compilation of data regarding violations  of the provisions of the 
Act and the rules made thereunder; 
(c) establish an effective complaint and reporting procedure which ensures 
that individual grievances of employees suffering from occupational 
safety and health related injuries or illnesses are effe ctively and 
efficiently addressed; 
(d) conduct, undertake and assist in investigations, study programs and 
research in the field of occupational safety and health for adoption of 
effective enforcement procedures; 
(e) undertake or collaborate in the collection, pre paration, dissemination 
and publishing of information relating to occupational safety and health; 
 
11Omitted the expression ‘of whom at least;’ and ‘a full stop’ added by the Punjab Occupational Safety and Health (Amendment) Act 2022 
(XXIV of 2022), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 31 October 2022, pp. 1679-1680, s.5. 
12Omitted the ‘clauses (a), (b), (c), (d) & (e)’ by the Punjab Occupational Safety and Health (Amendment) Act 2022 (XXIV of 2022), 
published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 31 October 2022, pp. 1679-1680, s.5. 
13Substituted for the word ‘sub -committees’ by the Punjab Occupational Safety and Health (Amendment) Act 2022 (XXIV of 2022), 
published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 31 October 2022, pp. 1679-1680, s.5. 
12 
 
(f) run awareness and promotional campaigns to foster and create 
awareness about occupational safety and health; 
(g) periodically conduct training programs in occupat ional safety and 
health and related subjects to inspectors, employers, employees, 
occupiers or any other person in need of knowledge and training, 
whether in collaboration with any other institution in Pakistan or abroad 
and award certifications upon successful completion of such training; 
(h) provide advisory services to any establishment or person on the correct 
use of equipment, hazardous substances and physical, chemical or 
biological agents or products and avoidance of any other hazards; 
(i) co-ordinate inter -departmental and ministerial projects, programs and 
activities on promoting the practice of occupational safety and health;  
(j) take actions to facilitate cooperation between the Government, 
employers, workers and any other persons or organizations engaged in 
occupational activities; and 
(k) perform such other ancillary functions as may be necessary for the 
discharge of all or any of its functions. 
16. Appointment and qualification of Chief Inspector and Inspector .– (1) The 
Government shall, by notification in the Official Gazette appoint the Chief Inspector 
and such number of Inspectors for the purposes of th e Act with  such 14[area of 
jurisdiction,] qualification, experience, functions and training as may be prescribed.  
 (2) For the purposes of this section, the Chief I nspector, shall, in addition 
to the powers conferred on him under the Act, exercise the powers of an Inspector 
throughout the Province. 
17. Assistance by other agencies.– For the enforcement of the provisions of the 
Act, the  Council may seek assistance  from any other body, authority or  agency 
responsible for the performance of statutory functions or obligations subject to such 
procedures as may be prescribed. 
18. Discloser of information .– (1) Except for an inquiry under the Act or any 
court proceedings relating to the co mmission of an offence under the  Act or any 
rules made thereunder or persons disclosing information for the purpose of their 
functions under the Act , no person shall disclose any matter including any 
manufacturing of commerc ial secrets or working process  which has come to the 
knowledge of that person or which that person has acquired wh ile performing duties 
under the Act. 
 (2) Any person making inqui ries or investigation under the  Act on any 
complaint or complaints made, shall not divulge the name of person s making the 
complaints except in case of any judicial proceedings before a Court where  he is 
required to make such disclosure. 
19. Offences and Penalties .– (1) Save as otherwise expressly provi ded in the  
Act, any person who violates the provisions of sections 3 to 7 shall be punished with 
fine which may extend to rupees one hundred thousand. 
 
14Inserted by the Punjab Occupational Safety and Health (Amendment) Act 2022 (XXIV of 2022), published in the Punjab Gazette 
(Extraordinary), dated: 31 October 2022, pp. 1679-1680, s.6. 
13 
 
 (2) The penalties provided in this section shall be in addition to the claims 
for compensation, if any, instituted by the person:  
 Provided that if t he fine imposed in a case,  is subject to an appeal, no such 
payment shall be made before the period allowed for p resenting the appeal has 
lapsed or if an appeal has been presented, before decision of that appeal. 
 (3) Whoever, unless duly authorized  or in case of necessity, re moves any 
machinery, equipment,  fixtures, substances, fencing, gangway, ladder, lifesaving 
means or appliances, lights, marks, stage or other things required to be provided by 
or under the rules made under th e Act or having in case of necessity, removed any 
such machinery, equipment’s fixtures, substances, fencing, gangway, gear, ladder, 
lifesaving means or appliances, lights, marks, stage or other things and omits to 
restore it at the end of the period for which its removal was authorized or necessary, 
shall be punished with fine which may extend to rupees two hundred thousand. 
 (4) Whoever contravenes any requirement imp osed by an Inspector under 
the Act shall be punished with fine which may extend to rupees ten thousand. 
 (5) Whoever willfully obstructs an I nspector in exercise  or performance of 
his powers or duties shall be punished with fine  which may extend to rupees twenty 
thousand. 
 (6) Whoever conceals,  prevents or attempts to prevent a ny person from 
appearing before  or being examined by an Inspector shall , upon conviction , be 
punished with a fine that may extend to rupees fifty thousand. 
 (7) The Court, when deciding upon the quantum of sentence and fine shall 
consider the size of the business of the employer being convicted, the gravity of the 
violation, repute of the employer and the history of previous violations. 
 15[*****]  
16[20. Cognizance of offences. – An offence under the Act shall be cognizable by 
the police on a complaint in writing made by an aggrieved person upon sanction in 
this behalf by the Chief Inspector or an Inspector.]   
21. Trial of offences .– (1) No court inferior to that of the Magistrate First Class , 
within the territorial jurisdiction of which the establishment or premises exist where 
the alleged offence has been committed is situated, shall try an offence under the 
Act. 
 (2) For trial  of all o ffences under the Act , the provisions of Code of 
Criminal Procedure, 1898 (V of 1898), shall apply.  
22. Appeal.– An appeal against the decision of the trial court shall lie to the High 
Court.   
23. Indemnity.– No suit, prosecution or other proceedings shall lie against any 
person employed in the public service authorized under th e Act, for anything done or 
purported to be done in good faith under the Act. 
 
15Omitted by the Punjab Occupational Safety and Health (Amendment) Act 2022 (XXIV of 2022), published in the Punjab Gazette 
(Extraordinary), dated: 31 October 2022, pp. 1679-1680, s.7. 
16Substituted by the Punjab Occupational Safety and Health (Amendment) Act 2022 (XXIV of 2022), published in the Punjab Gazette 
(Extraordinary), dated: 31 October 2022, pp. 1679-1680, s.8. 
14 
 
24. Display at establishment .– (1) The entrance to a workplace or any other 
place where  the employees legitimately gather  shall bear essential information 
including notice of the postal addresses and the telephone numbers of the h ealth 
and safety representative and  the Committee and such information shall be 
communicated to the Chief Inspector.  
 (2) In addition to the notice required to be displayed in every 
establishment, a notice contai ning abstracts of th e Act and the rules made 
thereunder shall also be displayed in English and Urdu or regional languages. 
25. Limitation for records .– The General Register and every other register or 
record kept in pursuance of the Act shall be preserved and shall be kept available for 
inspection by  an I nspector for at least five years  or such other period as may be 
prescribed for any class or description of register or record, after the date of the last 
entry in the register or the record. 
26. Contracting out.– Any contract or agreement, whether made before or after 
the commencement of  the Act, whereby an employee relinquishes any right 
conferred by th e Act shall be null and void in so far as it purports to deprive him of 
such right.  
27. Collection of Statistics .– The authorities and officers entrusted w ith powers 
and duties under the Act and the rules made thereunder, for the proper and effective 
exercise of their powers and discharge of their duties, call for statistics and 
information and ensure their correctness and t he information so collected shall not 
be disclosed in respect of individual undertaking or establishments. 
28. Transition.– (1) Within one ye ar from the commencement of the  Act, all 
employers and employees shall take such actions as are necessary to co mply with 
the provisions of the  Act and till such time no prosecution  under the  Act shall be 
conducted without the approval of the Government. 
(2) All associations of employers and trade unions shall alter their 
constitutions, working and procedure to bring them in conformity with the provision of 
the Act.  
29. Power to make r ules.– The Government may, by notification in the official 
Gazette, makes rules for the purposes of the Act.  
30. Provisions of this Act to be ad dition to and not in derogation of certain 
laws.– Notwithstanding anything contained to the contrary in  any other law for the 
time being in force, the provisions of th e Act shall be in addition to and not in 
derogation of such laws.  
31. Limitation.– The p rovisions of section 5 of the Limitation Act, 1908 (IX of 
1908), shall be applicable to any proceedings under the Act.  
32. Removal of difficulties .– If any difficulty arises in giving effect to any 
provisions of the Act, the Government  may, by notification in the official Gazette , 
make orders not inconsistent with the provisions of the Act.