Rule 22: Cleanliness and hygiene
Reviewed by Finin2min Editorial Desk · Last reviewed 30 August 2026
Rule 22 — Governs cleanliness and hygiene and the rights, duties, powers or procedure expressly stated in this rule. Key operative text: Employer of every factory shall ensure that: - (i) all workplaces, workrooms, passageways, staircases, storerooms and service rooms are kept in sanitary and hygienic condition;
Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (Central) Rules, 2026 were finally notified under G.S.R. 345(E), 8 May 2026. The Central Rules must be read with the Code and any later amendment/corrigendum.
Finin2min analysis — operative rule mechanics
Operative clauses
- Employer of every factory shall ensure that: - (i) all workplaces, workrooms, passageways, staircases, storerooms and service rooms are kept in sanitary and hygienic condition;
- (v) workrooms are cleaned as often as required by the nature of the work carried on;
Provisos / explanations
- No proviso/explanation was separately extracted from this rule.
Thresholds & timelines
- (vii) where, for technical reasons, cleaning must be carried out during working hours, appropriate means are used and precautions are taken to avoid contamination of the air with dust or other obnoxious substances;
Mapped Code sections
Full notified text — Rule 22
22. Cleanliness and hygiene.- Employer of every factory shall ensure that: -
(i) all workplaces, workrooms, passageways, staircases, storerooms and service rooms are kept in
sanitary and hygienic condition;
(ii) surfaces of walls and ceilings, including windows and skylights, are always kept clean and
maintained in a hygienic condition;
(iii) the floor of every workroom is maintained in a clean and so far as is reasonably practicable, dry
and non-slippery condition;
(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 gears for use while at work in such
place are provided without expense to the employees;
(v) workrooms are cleaned as often as required by the nature of the work carried on;
(vi) as far as practicable, sweeping and cleaning are done—
(a) during intervals between work; and
(b) in such a manner as to prevent the raising of dust;
(vii) where, for technical reasons, cleaning must be carried out during working hours, appropriate means
are used and precautions are taken to avoid contamination of the air with dust or other obnoxious
substances;
(viii) suitable arrangements for daily collection, storage, disposal or treatment of every type of waste are
made under the effective supervision.Application and evidence
- Primary statutory test — Employer of every factory shall ensure that: - (i) all workplaces, workrooms, passageways, staircases, storerooms and service rooms are kept in sanitary and hygienic condition;
- Additional operative limb — (v) workrooms are cleaned as often as required by the nature of the work carried on;
- Numerical or timing control — (vii) where, for technical reasons, cleaning must be carried out during working hours, appropriate means are used and precautions are taken to avoid contamination of the air with dust or other obnoxious substances;
- Code Section mapping — 23. Read the mapped provision together with this text rather than treating the concordance as a substitute for it.
- Evidence file — retain facts and records proving the role/status of: Employer, Employee / worker.
Cross-references & prescribed forms
Sections cited/mapped
Forms
No form is directly mapped in the current rule register.
Worked example
For an establishment affected by cleanliness and hygiene, the compliance owner should identify the applicable sector and authority, document the prescribed control/notice/record and retain inspection or training evidence. A text point to test is: “(vii) where, for technical reasons, cleaning must be carried out during working hours, appropriate means are used and precautions are taken to avoid contamination of the air with dust or other obnoxious substances;” Reconcile the mapped Code Section(s) 23.
Illustrative only. Use the exact notified rule, prescribed form and competent authority.
Q&A — Rule 22
What is Rule 22 of the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (Central) Rules, 2026?
Rule 22 — Governs cleanliness and hygiene and the rights, duties, powers or procedure expressly stated in this rule. Key operative text: Employer of every factory shall ensure that: - (i) all workplaces, workrooms, passageways, staircases, storerooms and service rooms are kept in sanitary and hygienic condition;
What does Rule 22 require or permit?
A principal operative clause extracted from the notified rule is: “Employer of every factory shall ensure that: - (i) all workplaces, workrooms, passageways, staircases, storerooms and service rooms are kept in sanitary and hygienic condition;” Read it with all sub-rules and provisos below.
Does Rule 22 contain a proviso or explanation?
No standalone proviso or explanation was extracted from this rule text. Check the complete rule below for clause-level conditions.
What deadline, period, percentage or amount appears in Rule 22?
The rule contains this numerical/time expression: “(vii) where, for technical reasons, cleaning must be carried out during working hours, appropriate means are used and precautions are taken to avoid contamination of the air with dust or other obnoxious substances;” Apply it only in its notified context.
Which Code sections are linked to Rule 22?
The current concordance maps Rule 22 to Section(s) 23.
When did Rule 22 come into force?
The final Central Rules were notified as G.S.R. 345(E), 8 May 2026; Rule 1 states that the Rules come into force on publication. Check any later amendment or corrigendum before reliance.