New safety, health policy in the works

new delhi: the centre is planning to come out with a comprehensive national occupational safety and health policy during the tenth five year plan. the policy will take into consideration the provisions in the ilo convention no. 155 on occupational safety, health and working environment. the government is also planning to enact a general legislation on occupational safety and health in work places, apart from amending old laws such as the mines act. as part of the groundwork for the umbrella legislation, the government will launch an intensive awareness campaign in seven segments: agriculture, construction (the top two unorganised sectors), ships and establishments, bidi and cigarette manufacturing, domestic work, eating places and waste management sectors.