18. Safety officer for Dock Work and Building or Other Construction Work.- (1) In every establishment of dock work wherein five hundred or more workers and building or other construction work wherein two-hundred and fifty or more workers are ordinarily employed, the employer shall employ safety officer as per the scale mentioned below:-

(a) For dock work-

(i) up to 1000 workers - one safety officer;

(ii) up to 2000 workers – two safety officers;

(iii) up to 5000 workers – three safety officers;

(iv) up to 10,000 workers –four safety officers;

(v) for every additional 5000 workers or part thereof- one safety officer.

(b) For building or other construction work-

(i) up to 500 workers- one safety officer;

(ii) up to 1000 workers – two safety officers;

(iii) up to 2000 workers – three safety officers;

(iv) up to 5,000 workers –four safety officers ;

(v) for every additional 2000 workers or part thereof- one safety officer.

(2) A person shall not be eligible for appointment as a safety officer relating to dock work or building or other construction work unless possesses –

(a) a recognised degree in any branch of engineering or technology and has had practical experience of working in a supervisory capacity for a period of not less than two years; or

(b) a recognised degree in physics or chemistry and has had practical experience in a supervisory capacity for a period of not less than five years; or

(c) a recognised diploma in any branch of engineering or technology and has had practical experience in a supervisory capacity for a period of not less than five years;

(d) possesses a degree or diploma in industrial safety recognised by the Central or State Government; or post-graduate diploma in industrial safety from Central Labour Institute or Regional Labour Institutes under Directorate General of Occupational Safety and Health.

(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-rules (1) and (2), any person who –

(a) possesses a recognised degree or diploma in engineering or technology and has had experience of not less than five years in a department of the Central Government or the State Government which deals with the administration of legislations pertaining to the factories or building or other construction works or dock works;

(b) possesses a recognised degree or diploma in engineering or technology and has had experience of not less than five years in training, education, consultancy, or research in the field of accident prevention in industry or in any institution; shall be eligible for appointment as a Safety Officer.