The Government of Tamil Nadu has introduced amendments to the rules governing the qualifications and appointments of its Safety Officers. These amendments have been brought in the Tamil Nadu Safety Officers (Duties, Qualifications and Conditions of Service) Rules, 2005. These changes are expected to bolster safety standards in various workplaces, ensuring a safer environment for both workers and employers.
The key revisions to the rules are as follows:
1. Qualifications for Safety Officers:
- To be eligible for the role of a Safety Officer in any establishment, an individual must either possess a Diploma in industrial Safety conferred by any Institute under the Directorate General, Factory Advice Service, and Labour Institutes (DGFASLI), Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India. Alternatively, the candidate must hold a full-time degree or a full-time Diploma in Industrial Safety, with a duration of no less than one year, awarded by any University incorporated under the Central or State Acts or the Department of Technical Education or Board of Technical Education of any State/Union Territories/Government of India.
- A new proviso has been added which mandates that the occupier ensures that the Safety Officer appointed in the establishment acquires adequate knowledge of the language predominantly spoken by the workers within one year from their date of appointment.
2. Appointment Procedures:
- The scope of publication of vacancies has also been broadened. Vacancies for the post of Safety Officer will now be advertised in both English and on a prominent online job portal.
- It is also clarified that when the post is to be filled by transfer or promotion from staff members within the establishment, consideration can be given to the Directorate of Industrial Safety and Health on deputation basis.
- An additional proviso has been introduced, stating that when the post is proposed to be filled by transfer or promotion from among the members of staff in the establishment, group of establishments under the same occupier, Central or State Government Public Sector Undertakings, Government Establishments, or Quasi-Government Establishments, the vacancy must be widely publicized among prospective staff through suitable methods.
- Furthermore, the selection for the appointment of Safety Officers, whether through direct recruitment, transfer, promotion, or nomination, will be made from among the candidates applying for the post through a Selection Committee appointed by the Occupier of the establishment.
These amendments aim to strengthen the qualifications and appointment process for Safety Officers. By ensuring that Safety Officers have the requisite qualifications and skills, these changes are expected to contribute to a safer and more secure work environment for employees and employers alike.
