Rule 37: Ventilation, temperature and humidity
Reviewed by Finin2min Editorial Desk · Last reviewed 30 August 2026
Rule 37 — Governs ventilation, temperature and humidity and the rights, duties, powers or procedure expressly stated in this rule. Key operative text: The employer of every motor transport undertaking shall ensure that: - (i) suitable atmospheric conditions are maintained in workplaces, by natural or artificial means, to avoid insufficient air supply, stagnant or vitiated…
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
- The employer of every motor transport undertaking shall ensure that: - (i) suitable atmospheric conditions are maintained in workplaces, by natural or artificial means, to avoid insufficient air supply, stagnant or vitiated air, harmful draughts, excessive heat or cold, sudden variations in temperature and where practicable, having regard to the nature of the processes carried on, to avoid excessive humidity or…
Provisos / explanations
- No proviso/explanation was separately extracted from this rule.
Thresholds & timelines
- (iii) adequate and sufficient measures are taken to protect the employees from exposing to extreme weather conditions by suitably changing the working hours, providing appropriate protective clothes or other suitable provisions, as necessary free of charge;
Mapped Code sections
Full notified text — Rule 37
37. Ventilation, temperature and humidity.- The employer of every motor transport undertaking
shall ensure that: -
(i) suitable atmospheric conditions are maintained in workplaces, by natural or artificial means, to
avoid insufficient air supply, stagnant or vitiated air, harmful draughts, excessive heat or cold,
sudden variations in temperature and where practicable, having regard to the nature of the
processes carried on, to avoid excessive humidity or dryness, and objectionable odours;
(ii) steps are taken as are necessary to provide at all workplaces of the motor transport undertaking,
adequate ventilation to clear away smoke and fume, steam and dust, to dilute gases that are
inflammable or noxious so as to render them harmless;
(iii) adequate and sufficient measures are taken to protect the employees from exposing to extreme
weather conditions by suitably changing the working hours, providing appropriate protective
clothes or other suitable provisions, as necessary free of charge;
(iv) where an adequate supply of fresh air cannot be obtained by natural ventilation, or where it is
difficult to get the desired amount of air to the workroom without creating uncomfortable draughts
near the inlets, mechanical ventilation is provided.Application and evidence
- Primary statutory test — The employer of every motor transport undertaking shall ensure that: - (i) suitable atmospheric conditions are maintained in workplaces, by natural or artificial means, to avoid insufficient air supply, stagnant or vitiated air, harmful draughts, excessive heat or cold, sudden variations in temperature and where practicable, having regard to the nature of the processes carried on, to avoid excessive humidity or…
- Numerical or timing control — (iii) adequate and sufficient measures are taken to protect the employees from exposing to extreme weather conditions by suitably changing the working hours, providing appropriate protective clothes or other suitable provisions, as necessary free of charge;
- 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 ventilation, temperature and humidity, 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: “(iii) adequate and sufficient measures are taken to protect the employees from exposing to extreme weather conditions by suitably changing the working hours, providing appropriate protective clothes or other suitable provisions, as necessary free of charge;” Reconcile the mapped Code Section(s) 23.
Illustrative only. Use the exact notified rule, prescribed form and competent authority.
Q&A — Rule 37
What is Rule 37 of the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (Central) Rules, 2026?
Rule 37 — Governs ventilation, temperature and humidity and the rights, duties, powers or procedure expressly stated in this rule. Key operative text: The employer of every motor transport undertaking shall ensure that: - (i) suitable atmospheric conditions are maintained in workplaces, by natural or artificial means, to avoid insufficient air supply, stagnant or vitiated…
What does Rule 37 require or permit?
A principal operative clause extracted from the notified rule is: “The employer of every motor transport undertaking shall ensure that: - (i) suitable atmospheric conditions are maintained in workplaces, by natural or artificial means, to avoid insufficient air supply, stagnant or vitiated air, harmful draughts, excessive heat or cold, sudden variations in temperature and where practicable, having regard to the nature of the processes carried on, to avoid excessive humidity or…” Read it with all sub-rules and provisos below.
Does Rule 37 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 37?
The rule contains this numerical/time expression: “(iii) adequate and sufficient measures are taken to protect the employees from exposing to extreme weather conditions by suitably changing the working hours, providing appropriate protective clothes or other suitable provisions, as necessary free of charge;” Apply it only in its notified context.
Which Code sections are linked to Rule 37?
The current concordance maps Rule 37 to Section(s) 23.
When did Rule 37 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.