Rules 42-43 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 42 and 43 are the health rules for plantations. Rule 42 covers cleanliness and hygiene of workplaces and service rooms, and rule 43 covers dust, pesticide and chemical handling, with a named list of protective clothing that must be supplied without charge.
The employer of every plantation must keep workplaces, passageways, storerooms and service rooms hygienic and arrange daily waste handling (rule 42). Rule 43 requires steps to minimise harmful dust, protective clothing and PPE without charge for every employee who handles, mixes, blends, sprays or applies pesticides, insecticides, chemicals and toxic substances, and no entry to a workplace or confined space until noxious smell from those substances is within permissible limits.
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. Sections 92 and 93 of the Code add facilities and safety duties specific to plantation workers; see our sections 92 and 93 article. Rules 42 and 43 are the health rules for plantations. The Plantations Labour Act, 1951 is one of the 13 Acts the Code repeals from the dates notified under section 1(2); for the older working conditions framework, see our guide to plantation labour working conditions and compliance.
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 plantation compliance reviews, see our labour law compliance service.
Rule 42: cleanliness and hygiene
The employer of every plantation shall ensure that:
- (i) all workplaces, passageways, storerooms and service rooms are kept in a hygienic condition;
- (ii) the floor and walls of every service room are clean and, so far as possible, dry and non-slippery;
- (iii) service rooms are cleaned as often as the nature of the work requires;
- (iv) as far as practicable, sweeping and cleaning are done (a) during intervals between work and (b) so as to prevent the raising of dust;
- (v) where, for technical reasons, cleaning must be carried out during working hours, appropriate means and precautions avoid contamination of the air with pesticides, insecticides, chemicals and toxic substances; and
- (vi) suitable arrangements exist for daily collection, storage, disposal or treatment of waste under effective supervision.
Note the plantation-specific twist in clause (v). In factory and transport rules the contamination to avoid is "dust or other obnoxious substances"; here the text names agrochemicals.
Rule 43: dust, noxious gas, fumes and other impurities
The employer of every plantation shall ensure that:
| Clause | Duty |
|---|---|
| (i) | Necessary steps are taken to minimise dust existing at the plantation that is harmful to employees |
| (ii) | Every employee engaged in handling, mixing, blending, spraying or applying pesticides, insecticides, chemicals and toxic substances is provided with appropriate protective clothing and PPE without charge |
| (iii) | The protective clothing is made of materials that prevent or resist penetration of any form of pesticide, insecticide, chemical or toxic formulation, and is washable so harmful elements are removed after each use |
| (iv) | No employee is required or allowed to enter any workplace or confined space until all practicable measures have been taken to remove noxious smell from pesticides, insecticides, chemicals and toxic substances so as to bring levels within the permissible limits |
What counts as appropriate protective clothing
Clause (iii) lists five items:
- protective outer garment with hat;
- rubber gloves, or other protective gloves extending up to the forearm, made of materials impenetrable to liquids;
- dust proof goggles;
- rubber boots; and
- reusable cloth masks.
The word "namely" signals that this is the list the rule itself gives. The text says nothing about respirators; whether a given chemical needs more than a reusable cloth mask should be decided from the product label and the permissible exposure limits under section 88 of the Code (see our sections 86 to 88 explainer).
Rules 42 and 43 at a glance
| Rule | Subject | Standout duty |
|---|---|---|
| 42 | Cleanliness and hygiene | Six clauses; cleaning must not contaminate air with agrochemicals |
| 43 | Dust, pesticides, chemicals | Five-item protective kit, without charge, washable, impenetrable material |
Consequences
Rules 42 and 43 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 tea estate sweeps its tea-processing service room only between shifts, dampening the floor to avoid raising dust. This matches rule 42(iv).
Example 2. A coffee plantation hires seasonal sprayers. Before the first spray round it issues each a hat and outer garment, forearm-length rubber gloves, goggles, boots and reusable masks, and arranges washing after each use. This answers rule 43(ii) and (iii). The issue is recorded against each worker's name.
Example 3. A pesticide store has a strong smell after a spill. Under rule 43(iv), no one is sent in until practicable measures have brought levels within permissible limits.
Need help with plantation health compliance?
Seasonal workers, pesticide stores and rotating spray crews make PPE and cleanliness records easy to miss. Our labour law compliance team can help you build issue registers and routines that line up with rules 42 and 43.
Key takeaways
- Rule 42 sets six cleanliness and hygiene duties for every plantation.
- Rule 43 requires dust minimisation and protective clothing at no charge for pesticide and chemical handlers.
- The protective kit has five named items and must be washable and impenetrable.
- Entry is barred until noxious smell from agrochemicals is within permissible limits.
- State rules apply where the State is the appropriate Government.
Read next
- Rules 39 to 41: dock work cleanliness, ventilation and dust
- Rule 44: potable water
- Sections 92 and 93: facilities and safety for plantation workers
- Plantation labour: working conditions, hours and annual compliance
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.