Rule 125: Establishment and location of rescue room
Reviewed by Finin2min Editorial Desk · Last reviewed 30 August 2026
Rule 125 — Governs establishment and location of rescue room and the rights, duties, powers or procedure expressly stated in this rule. Key operative text: (1) At every below ground mine where, more than 100 persons are ordinarily employed below ground and there is no rescue station within a radius of 35 kms, the employer, shall establish a rescue room on surface close to mine…
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
- (1) At every below ground mine where, more than 100 persons are ordinarily employed below ground and there is no rescue station within a radius of 35 kms, the employer, shall establish a rescue room on surface close to mine entrance:
- Provided that it may be sufficient to provide one rescue room for a number of mines belonging to the same employer where- (a) the total number of persons ordinarily employed in below ground workings of all such mines does not exceed 5000; and (b) the mines are situated within radius of 35 kms from and connected by road with the rescue room :
- Provided further that the Chief Inspector-cum-Facilitator may permit the employer of a group of mines having the total number of persons ordinarily employed below ground in excess of 5000 to use the rescue room as a rescue station excepting the functions of imparting initial training in rescue work, if such rescue room is .- (i) equipped with requisite additional rescue apparatus including at least 15 extra sets…
- (2) At each rescue room, there shall be appointed such number of rescue trained persons as may be necessary and one of them possessing the qualifications, experience etc. of rescue room in-charge who shall be made in-charge of the rescue room.
- (3) At least one rescue trained person shall always be in attendance at the rescue room.
Provisos / explanations
- Provided that it may be sufficient to provide one rescue room for a number of mines belonging to the same employer where- (a) the total number of persons ordinarily employed in below ground workings of all such mines does not exceed 5000; and (b) the mines are situated within radius of 35 kms from and connected by road with the rescue room :
Thresholds & timelines
- Provided further that the Chief Inspector-cum-Facilitator may permit the employer of a group of mines having the total number of persons ordinarily employed below ground in excess of 5000 to use the rescue room as a rescue station excepting the functions of imparting initial training in rescue work, if such rescue room is .- (i) equipped with requisite…
Mapped Code sections
Full notified text — Rule 125
125. Establishment and location of rescue room.- (1) At every below ground mine where, more
than 100 persons are ordinarily employed below ground and there is no rescue station within a
radius of 35 kms, the employer, shall establish a rescue room on surface close to mine entrance:
Provided that it may be sufficient to provide one rescue room for a number of mines
belonging to the same employer where-
(a) the total number of persons ordinarily employed in below ground workings of all such mines does
not exceed 5000; and
(b) the mines are situated within radius of 35 kms from and connected by road with the rescue room :
Provided further that the Chief Inspector-cum-Facilitator may permit the employer of a group
of mines having the total number of persons ordinarily employed below ground in excess of 5000 to
use the rescue room as a rescue station excepting the functions of imparting initial training in rescue
work, if such rescue room is .-
(i) equipped with requisite additional rescue apparatus including at least 15 extra sets of two hour
self- contained breathing apparatus; and
(ii) placed under the charge of a person holding the qualifications, experience and like other
requirements of instructors and minimum of five rescue trained persons of whom at least one
shall hold the qualifications, experience and like other requirements of rescue room in-charge
are posted thereat.
(2) At each rescue room, there shall be appointed such number of rescue trained persons as may be
necessary and one of them possessing the qualifications, experience etc. of rescue room in-charge
who shall be made in-charge of the rescue room.
(3) At least one rescue trained person shall always be in attendance at the rescue room.Application and evidence
- Primary statutory test — (1) At every below ground mine where, more than 100 persons are ordinarily employed below ground and there is no rescue station within a radius of 35 kms, the employer, shall establish a rescue room on surface close to mine entrance:
- Additional operative limb — Provided that it may be sufficient to provide one rescue room for a number of mines belonging to the same employer where- (a) the total number of persons ordinarily employed in below ground workings of all such mines does not exceed 5000; and (b) the mines are situated within radius of 35 kms from and connected by road with the rescue room :
- Qualification / exception to test — Provided that it may be sufficient to provide one rescue room for a number of mines belonging to the same employer where- (a) the total number of persons ordinarily employed in below ground workings of all such mines does not exceed 5000; and (b) the mines are situated within radius of 35 kms from and connected by road with the rescue room :
- Numerical or timing control — Provided further that the Chief Inspector-cum-Facilitator may permit the employer of a group of mines having the total number of persons ordinarily employed below ground in excess of 5000 to use the rescue room as a rescue station excepting the functions of imparting initial training in rescue work, if such rescue room is .- (i) equipped with requisite…
- Code Section mapping — 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73. 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, Inspector-cum-Facilitator.
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 establishment and location of rescue room, 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: “Provided further that the Chief Inspector-cum-Facilitator may permit the employer of a group of mines having the total number of persons ordinarily employed below ground in excess of 5000 to use the rescue room as a rescue station excepting the functions of imparting initial trai” Also test the express qualification/proviso before concluding the result. Reconcile the mapped Code Section(s) 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73.
Illustrative only. Use the exact notified rule, prescribed form and competent authority.
Q&A — Rule 125
What is Rule 125 of the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (Central) Rules, 2026?
Rule 125 — Governs establishment and location of rescue room and the rights, duties, powers or procedure expressly stated in this rule. Key operative text: (1) At every below ground mine where, more than 100 persons are ordinarily employed below ground and there is no rescue station within a radius of 35 kms, the employer, shall establish a rescue room on surface close to mine…
What does Rule 125 require or permit?
A principal operative clause extracted from the notified rule is: “(1) At every below ground mine where, more than 100 persons are ordinarily employed below ground and there is no rescue station within a radius of 35 kms, the employer, shall establish a rescue room on surface close to mine entrance:” Read it with all sub-rules and provisos below.
Does Rule 125 contain a proviso or explanation?
Yes. One extracted qualification is: “Provided that it may be sufficient to provide one rescue room for a number of mines belonging to the same employer where- (a) the total number of persons ordinarily employed in below ground workings of all such mines does not exceed 5000; and (b) the mines are situated within radius of 35 kms from and connected by road with the rescue room :”
What deadline, period, percentage or amount appears in Rule 125?
The rule contains this numerical/time expression: “Provided further that the Chief Inspector-cum-Facilitator may permit the employer of a group of mines having the total number of persons ordinarily employed below ground in excess of 5000 to use the rescue room as a rescue station excepting the functions of imparting initial training in rescue work, if such rescue room is .- (i) equipped with requisite…” Apply it only in its notified context.
Which Code sections are linked to Rule 125?
The current concordance maps Rule 125 to Section(s) 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73.
When did Rule 125 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.