Rule 48 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.
Rule 48 requires employers to arrange for the discharge, treatment and disposal of effluents and waste, to identify and control the hazards of handling them, and to provide PPE at no charge and training to the employees who handle them. Beedi and plantation work get tailored provisos.
The employer of every factory, mine, building or other construction work, beedi and cigar premise, motor transport undertaking, dock work and plantation must make proper arrangements for liquid effluents, gaseous emission and solid waste, make effective treatment arrangements that comply with safety and health requirements, identify and control handling, storage and processing hazards, provide PPE based on risk assessment without charge and train the employees who handle waste and effluents. Beedi and cigar work is exempt from the first two duties; plantations get a pesticide-package disposal condition instead.
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. Rule 48 is the waste and effluent rule among the common health rules in the Central Rules.
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 a review of how your site handles waste from a worker-safety angle, see our labour law compliance service.
The five duties
| Clause | Duty |
|---|---|
| (i) | Proper arrangements for discharging liquid effluents and gaseous emission and disposal of solid waste generated in the factory |
| (ii) | Effective arrangements for treatment of wastes and effluents, ensuring compliance with the safety and health requirements |
| (iii) | Hazards and risks in handling, storage and processing of wastes and effluents are identified, and appropriate preventive and control measures implemented |
| (iv) | Appropriate PPE based on risk assessment of handling the waste and effluents, without charge |
| (v) | Employees handling wastes and effluents are trained on the identified hazards and risks |
Clause (i) refers to waste "generated in the factory" even though the rule applies to seven kinds of workplace. For a mine, a site or a dock, read it as waste generated in that workplace.
Who is covered, and the two provisos
Rule 48 applies to the employer of every factory, mine, building or other construction work, industrial premise for manufacture of beedi and cigar, motor transport undertaking, dock work and plantation.
| Workplace | Clauses that apply | Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Factory, mine, construction, motor transport, dock work | (i) to (v) | None beyond the clauses |
| Beedi and cigar premise | (iii), (iv), (v) | First proviso: (i) and (ii) shall not apply |
| Plantation | (iii), (iv), (v) | Second proviso: (i) and (ii) shall not apply, subject to effective arrangements for disposal of used packages of pesticides, insecticides, chemicals and toxic substances to prevent their re-use and to prevent environmental, water or air pollution |
So a plantation that cannot show a package disposal arrangement does not get the exemption. The text does not say what the arrangement must look like, only its two aims: no re-use, and no pollution of the environment, water or air.
How rule 48 fits with other rules
- Sullage from toilets is covered in rule 47(10): waste or sullage water from latrines and urinals is treated and safely disposed of. See our rule 47 article.
- Cleaning waste (collection, storage, disposal or treatment of every type of waste, daily) appears in each sector's cleanliness rule, such as rule 22 for factories and rule 30 for construction.
- Dust, gas and fume limits are in the dust rules (24, 28, 32, 38, 41 and 43).
Environmental clearances and pollution-control approvals are separate from this rule. The Rules, as read here, deal with worker health and safety around waste, not with environmental licensing; check the applicable environmental laws for that.
Consequences
Rule 48 states no penalty of its own. Contravention is dealt with under the Code's penalty provisions; see our section 94 explainer.
Practical examples
Example 1. A chemical unit's effluent treatment plant is run by two operators. The employer records the hazards of the sludge and gases at the plant (clause (iii)), issues chemical-resistant gloves, boots and respirators after a risk assessment (clause (iv)) and trains both operators before they start (clause (v)).
Example 2. A tea estate stores empty pesticide containers in a locked shed, punctures them to stop re-use and sends them for authorised disposal. This supports the plantation proviso. Spraying workers are still covered by clauses (iii) to (v).
Example 3. A beedi unit is exempt from clauses (i) and (ii), but if workers handle solid waste, the employer must still identify risks, provide PPE at no charge and train them under clauses (iii) to (v).
Need help with waste handling and worker safety?
Records of risk assessment, PPE issue and training are the evidence for clauses (iii) to (v). Our labour law compliance team can help you set up those records and decide which clauses and provisos apply to each of your sites.
Key takeaways
- Rule 48 covers seven kinds of workplace.
- It requires discharge and disposal arrangements, treatment, hazard identification, risk-based PPE at no charge and training.
- Beedi and cigar work is exempt from clauses (i) and (ii).
- Plantations are exempt from clauses (i) and (ii) only if they dispose of used pesticide packages so as to prevent re-use and pollution.
- State rules apply where the State is the appropriate Government.
Read next
- Rule 47: latrine and urinal accommodation
- Rules 49 and 50: washing facilities, bathing places and locker rooms
- Rules 42 and 43: plantation cleanliness and dust
- Section 23: employer responsibility for health, safety and working conditions
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.