Rules 125 and 126 explained: this guide covers what it means, who it applies to, the step-by-step process, documents required, fees, due dates and penalties in India — so you can stay compliant with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.
Rule 125 requires a rescue room on the surface close to the mine entrance at every below ground mine where more than 100 persons are ordinarily employed below ground and no rescue station is within 35 kilometres. Rule 126 says what a rescue room provides: storage, assembly and testing of breathing apparatus and rescue equipment, and its speedy transport to mines.
At a below ground mine where more than 100 persons are ordinarily employed below ground and no rescue station lies within a radius of 35 km, the employer must set up a rescue room on the surface close to the mine entrance. One room may serve several mines of the same employer if the total below ground employment does not exceed 5,000 and the mines are within 35 km and connected by road. A room must have a rescue trained person in attendance at all times. A rescue room provides facilities to store, assemble and test breathing apparatus and other rescue equipment and to transport them quickly to mines.
How it fits with rescue stations
Rule 123 deals with the larger rescue station (superintendent, instructors, brigade of at least eighteen); see our rules 123 and 124 article. Rules 125 and 126 deal with the smaller rescue room, which is a surface facility linked to a mine or group of mines. Both rest on section 72 of the Code, which lets the Central Government prescribe rescue and recovery services for persons employed in a mine; see our sections 71 to 73 article.
The Central Rules apply where the Central Government is the appropriate Government. Where the State Government is the appropriate Government, the State's own OSH rules apply. A labour law compliance review will confirm what each of your mines needs.
Rule 125(1): when a rescue room is needed
The two conditions together:
| Condition | Text |
|---|---|
| Type of mine | Every below ground mine |
| Numbers | More than 100 persons ordinarily employed below ground |
| Distance | No rescue station within a radius of 35 kms |
| Duty | The employer shall establish a rescue room on surface close to mine entrance |
If either condition is missing, rule 125(1) does not require a room. For example, a mine with 90 persons below ground, or one with a rescue station 20 km away, does not need its own room by this rule. Rule 131(2) still says apparatus must be kept at the entrance of a below ground mine where no rescue room is located; see our rules 127 to 131 article.
First proviso: one room for several mines. One rescue room may serve a number of mines of 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 within a radius of 35 kms from, and connected by road with, the rescue room.
Second proviso: very large groups. Where a group of mines has more than 5000 persons ordinarily employed below ground, the Chief Inspector-cum-Facilitator may permit the employer to use the rescue room as a rescue station (except for imparting initial training in rescue work) if the 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 who holds the qualifications, experience and like requirements of an instructor, and a minimum of five rescue trained persons, of whom at least one holds the qualifications, experience and like requirements of a rescue room in-charge, are posted there.
The rule says "ordinarily employed". It does not define it; count the normal below ground strength, not a one-day peak.
Rule 125(2) and (3): staffing
| Sub-rule | Requirement |
|---|---|
| 125(2) | At each rescue room, such number of rescue trained persons as may be necessary are appointed, and one of them, possessing the qualifications and experience of a rescue room in-charge, is made in-charge |
| 125(3) | At least one rescue trained person shall always be in attendance at the rescue room |
The text does not fix a headcount for an ordinary rescue room; "as may be necessary" leaves it to the circumstances. The only fixed number is for the large-group arrangement in the second proviso (minimum five). Qualifications for the in-charge are in rule 130: rescue trained person, three years of practical below ground experience, and a Manager's or Mining Supervisor's Certificate not restricted to opencast workings. Duties of the in-charge and attendants are in rules 134 and 136; see our rules 132 to 136 article.
The "always" in 125(3) means three-shift coverage. Roster at least one rescue trained person per shift, with a reliever, since rule 136(i) says the attendant must not leave until relieved by a substitute.
Rule 126: functions
A rescue room "shall provide facilities for the storage, assembly and testing of breathing apparatus and other rescue equipment and apparatus and for their speedy transport to mines."
| Function | Meaning for the employer |
|---|---|
| Storage | Space and racks for sets and equipment |
| Assembly | Space to assemble apparatus |
| Testing | Test facilities; rule 131(5) says breathing apparatus and flow meters are adjusted and tested, and oxygen purity tested, in the manner the Chief Inspector-cum-Facilitator specifies |
| Speedy transport to mines | A vehicle or arrangement ready for an emergency |
The rule does not say what vehicle, how fast, or what counts as "speedy". Plan transport against the road distances in your mine group and the 35 km radius.
Rescue station doing rescue-room work. Rule 124(iv) lets a rescue station carry out rescue-room functions for mines without a room.
Practical examples
Example 1. A mine employs 250 persons below ground. The nearest rescue station is 60 km away. Both rule 125(1) conditions are met; the employer sets up a rescue room on the surface near the mine entrance.
Example 2. An employer has four mines within 30 km of a proposed room, connected by road, with a combined below ground strength of 4,200. The first proviso allows one room for all four.
Example 3. A group with 6,000 below ground wants its rescue room treated as a station. It must obtain the Chief Inspector-cum-Facilitator's permission and meet the 15 extra sets and five rescue trained persons conditions.
Need help with rescue arrangements?
Working out headcounts, radii and rosters for rescue rooms can be fiddly when an employer runs several mines. Our team can review the numbers and the paperwork against the Central Rules. Start with our labour law compliance service.
Key takeaways
- A rescue room is mandatory at a below ground mine with more than 100 persons below ground and no rescue station within 35 km.
- One room can serve several mines of the same employer if combined below ground strength is up to 5000 and all are within 35 km by road.
- Above 5000, the Chief Inspector-cum-Facilitator may let the room act as a station if it has 15 extra two hour sets and five rescue trained persons.
- A rescue trained person must always be in attendance.
- The room stores, assembles and tests apparatus and speeds it to mines.
Read next
- Rules 123 and 124: rescue station establishment and functions
- Rules 127 to 131: rescue staff qualifications, selection and equipment
- Rules 132 to 136: duties of superintendent, instructor and rescue personnel
- Mines Act: safety provisions and DGMS framework
Disclaimer: Based on the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 (as enacted) and, where noted, the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (Central) Rules, 2026 (G.S.R. 345(E), 8 May 2026), as on 30 September 2026. The Code is in force from 21 November 2025; some provisions may be notified later, and State Governments make their own rules for establishments where the State is the appropriate Government. Verify the current position before acting.