Safety Committees in Factories: Composition, Role and HR Coordination

Safety Committees are a statutory mechanism designed to institutionalise worker participation in factory safety management. In Indian factories, especially those involving hazardous processes or large workforces, Safety Committees act as a bridge between management intent and shop-floor realities.

For Factory HR teams, Safety Committees are not symbolic bodies formed for inspections. They are working forums that require proper constitution, regular functioning, documentation, and follow-through. When managed well, Safety Committees reduce accidents, improve compliance, and strengthen trust between workers and management.

This article explains how HR must constitute, coordinate, and operationalise Safety Committees effectively in Indian factories.

Legal Basis for Safety Committees

Safety Committees are mandated under:

• Factories Act, 1948 (Section 41G – hazardous processes)

• State Factory Rules, which may extend requirements to non-hazardous factories based on size

• Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020

HR must be aware that applicability varies by state, industry, and workforce size, and compliance must follow local rules.

Composition of a Safety Committee

A Safety Committee typically includes:

• Equal representation from management and workers

• Worker representatives elected or nominated from different departments

• Management representatives with decision-making authority

• Safety officer as a member or secretary

HR must ensure fair representation and avoid dominance by any single function or union.

Role and Functions of the Safety Committee

The Safety Committee’s responsibilities include:

• Identifying workplace hazards

• Reviewing accident and near-miss reports

• Recommending corrective and preventive actions

• Monitoring safety training and PPE usage

• Reviewing safety audits and inspection findings

Committees are advisory but influential. Their effectiveness depends on how seriously management acts on recommendations.

HR’s Coordination Role

HR acts as the custodian and facilitator of the Safety Committee by:

• Issuing committee constitution orders

• Scheduling meetings at prescribed intervals

• Preparing agendas and circulating minutes

• Tracking action points and closures

• Maintaining statutory records for inspections

Without HR discipline, Safety Committees often become inactive or irregular.

Common Issues in Safety Committees

Some frequent problems include:

• Committees existing only on paper

• Irregular or poorly attended meetings

• No follow-up on recommendations

• Worker representatives lacking safety training

• Committee captured by union politics

HR must intervene early to prevent erosion of credibility.

Conclusion

Safety Committees are a powerful compliance and engagement tool when managed properly. HR’s role is to ensure these committees are representative, functional, and action-oriented.

A well-run Safety Committee improves safety outcomes, strengthens industrial relations, and demonstrates management’s commitment to worker well-being.

🗹 Factory HR Checklist: Safety Committee Effectiveness

🗹 Confirm statutory applicability under state rules
🗹 Issue formal committee constitution orders
🗹 Ensure equal management–worker representation
🗹 Schedule meetings at prescribed intervals
🗹 Document minutes and action points
🗹 Track and close safety recommendations
🗹 Train worker representatives on safety basics
🗹 Present committee records during inspections

Fire Safety & Emergency Preparedness – HR Reference Table

Conclusion--

Effective labour law compliance depends on how well HR operations, payroll, and business processes work together. When compliance is embedded into everyday workflows, organisations reduce risk, improve accuracy, and build sustainable governance systems. HR teams that prioritise integration over isolation are better positioned to manage compliance confidently and consistently.