Rules 33-35 explained: this guide covers what it means, who it applies to, the step-by-step process, documents required, fees, due dates and penalties in India — so you can stay compliant with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.
Rules 33, 34 and 35 are the health rules for industrial premises making beedi and cigar. Rule 33 covers cleanliness and hygiene, rule 34 covers ventilation, temperature and humidity, and rule 35 bars entry into dusty workplaces until dust is within permissible limits.
The employer of every industrial premise for the manufacture of beedi and cigar must keep the premises, walls, ceilings and floors clean and hygienic and arrange daily waste handling (rule 33). The employer must maintain suitable atmospheric conditions, protect employees from extreme weather without charge and provide mechanical ventilation where natural ventilation is not enough (rule 34). No employee may be required or allowed to enter a workplace or confined space until dust is within permissible limits (rule 35).
The Code source
Section 23 of the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 (the OSH Code) makes the employer responsible for health, safety and working conditions as prescribed; see our section 23 explainer. Beedi and cigar premises have their own licensing and conditions under sections 74 to 78 of the Code; see our sections 76 to 78 article. Rules 33 to 35 are the health rules that sit on top.
Central Rules apply where the Central Government is the appropriate Government. Where the State Government is the appropriate Government, the State's own OSH rules apply. For help auditing premises against these rules, see our labour law compliance service.
Rule 33: cleanliness and hygiene
The employer of every industrial premise for manufacture of beedi and cigar shall ensure that:
- (i) every industry, including its premises and surroundings, is kept in sanitary and hygienic condition;
- (ii) surfaces of walls and ceilings, including windows and skylights, are always kept clean and hygienic;
- (iii) the floor of every workroom is clean and, so far as possible, dry and non-slippery;
- (iv) where wet work processes are carried out, (a) effective drainage is maintained, (b) false floors, platforms, mats or other dry standing places are provided, and (c) anti-skid footwear and other suitable safety and protective gear are provided without expense to the employees;
- (v) workrooms are cleaned as often as the nature of the work requires;
- (vi) as far as practicable, sweeping and cleaning are done (a) during intervals between work and (b) in a manner that prevents the raising of dust; and
- (vii) suitable arrangements exist for daily collection, storage, disposal or treatment of waste under effective supervision.
Compared with the factory text in rule 22 and the motor transport text in rule 36, rule 33 has seven clauses. It does not carry the separate clause on cleaning during working hours for technical reasons.
Rule 34: ventilation, temperature and humidity
The employer of every industrial premise shall ensure that:
| Clause | Duty |
|---|---|
| (i) | Suitable atmospheric conditions in workplaces, by natural or artificial means, avoiding insufficient air supply, stagnant or vitiated air, harmful draughts, excessive heat or cold, sudden temperature variations and, where practicable having regard to the processes, excessive humidity or dryness and objectionable odours |
| (ii) | Adequate and sufficient measures to protect employees from extreme weather by suitably changing working hours, providing protective clothes or other suitable provisions as necessary, without charge |
| (iii) | Mechanical ventilation where an adequate supply of fresh air cannot be obtained by natural ventilation, or where it is difficult to get the desired amount of air to the workroom without uncomfortable draughts near the inlets |
Beedi rolling involves tobacco dust and often long hours seated in one place. Rule 34 does not name tobacco, but the standard in (i) on stagnant or vitiated air and objectionable odours is the one an inspector will apply to a poorly ventilated rolling room.
Rule 35: precaution against dust
Rule 35 is a single sentence. The employer of every industrial premise shall ensure that no employee is required or allowed to enter any workplace or confined space until practicable measures have been taken to bring the levels of dust particles within the permissible limits.
Unlike the construction, motor transport and plantation rules, rule 35 has no separate clause on minimising emissions. The text of the rule is only the entry bar. Permissible limits are addressed in section 88 of the Code; see our sections 86 to 88 explainer.
Rules 33 to 35 at a glance
| Rule | Subject | Number of clauses | At no cost to employees? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 33 | Cleanliness and hygiene | 7 (clause (iv) has three limbs) | Anti-skid footwear and protective gear for wet processes, without expense to employees |
| 34 | Ventilation, temperature, humidity | 3 | Protective clothes against extreme weather, without charge |
| 35 | Dust | Single provision | Not applicable |
Consequences
These rules state no penalty of their own. Contravention is dealt with under the Code's penalty provisions; see our section 94 explainer.
Practical examples
Example 1. A beedi unit has a damp floor near the leaf-wetting area. Rule 33(iv) calls for effective drainage, mats or platforms to stand on, and anti-skid footwear supplied without cost to the worker.
Example 2. A cigar manufacturer's packing hall gets stuffy in summer. Under rule 34(iii) the employer installs mechanical ventilation, and under rule 34(ii) may shift working hours and provide protective provisions at no charge.
Example 3. After a dusty clean-out of a storage room, the supervisor holds back workers until dust is within permissible limits, as rule 35 requires.
Need help with beedi and cigar premises compliance?
Rules 33 to 35 are short, but the paperwork behind them (cleaning schedules, ventilation checks, proof that protective gear was issued without charge) is what an inspector asks to see. Our labour law compliance team can help you set up those records.
Key takeaways
- Rule 33 sets seven cleanliness and hygiene duties for beedi and cigar premises.
- Rule 34 needs suitable atmospheric conditions, protective provisions at no charge against extreme weather and mechanical ventilation where natural ventilation falls short.
- Rule 35 bars entry into any workplace or confined space until dust is within permissible limits.
- State rules apply where the State is the appropriate Government.
Read next
- Rules 30 to 32: construction work cleanliness, ventilation and dust
- Rules 36 to 38: motor transport undertaking cleanliness, ventilation and dust
- Sections 76 to 78: wetting of beedi leaves, private dwellings and prohibited employment
- Factories Act 1948: health, safety and welfare provisions
Disclaimer: Based on the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 (as enacted) and, where noted, the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (Central) Rules, 2026 (G.S.R. 345(E), 8 May 2026), as on 30 September 2026. The Code is in force from 21 November 2025; some provisions may be notified later, and State Governments make their own rules for establishments where the State is the appropriate Government. Verify the current position before acting.