Rules 127 to 131 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.
Rules 127, 128 and 130 set the qualifications for the rescue superintendent, instructor and rescue room in-charge. Rule 129 says how rescue trained persons are selected and posted to a rescue station, and rule 131 deals with the apparatus and equipment at stations, rooms and mine entrances.
A superintendent must be a rescue trained person with 5 years of below ground practical experience and a First Class Manager's Certificate not restricted to opencast workings. An instructor needs 3 years and a Manager's certificate of the same kind. A rescue room in-charge needs 3 years and a Manager's or Mining Supervisor's Certificate. Rescue trained persons for a station are chosen by the superintendent with the mine managers and posted for not less than one year and not more than five at a time. Equipment is as the Chief Inspector-cum-Facilitator specifies, key items are of an approved type, accident reports go in 24 hours, and nothing is used past its expiry date.
Where they fit
These rules follow the establishment rules (123 to 126; see our rules 123 and 124 article and rules 125 and 126 article) and come from the rescue and recovery power in section 72 of the Code. Employers can check their appointments and equipment registers through a labour law compliance review.
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.
Qualifications at a glance
| Rule | Post | Rescue trained person | Practical experience below ground | Certificate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 127 | Superintendent | Yes | 5 years | First Class Manager's Certificate of a type not restricted to open cast workings |
| 128 | Instructor | Yes | 3 years | Manager's certificate of a type not restricted to open cast workings |
| 130 | Rescue room in-charge | Yes | 3 years | Manager's or Mining Supervisor's Certificate of a type not restricted to open cast workings |
Each rule says "No person shall be appointed" unless all three conditions are met. The text speaks of "practical experience of below ground work in mines". It does not say whether the years must be continuous or recent. The rules do not say who issues these certificates or what they require; for the manager's side of mine appointments see our rule 107 article. This article does not go beyond what rules 127, 128 and 130 say.
Rule 129: selection and posting at a rescue station
- 129(1): Rescue trained persons for posting at a rescue station are selected, "amongst the rescue trained persons employed in mines served by such rescue station", by the superintendent in consultation with the managers of such mines.
- 129(2): A person selected is posted for not less than one year and not more than five years at a rescue station at any one time.
Rule 123(2) says a station needs a brigade of at least eighteen rescue trained persons. The pool is therefore the trained workforce of the served mines. The rule does not say what happens at the end of five years (rotation back to the mine, or re-posting after a gap); "at any one time" suggests a person may be posted again later.
Rule 131: equipment
| Sub-rule | Requirement |
|---|---|
| 131(1) | At every rescue station and rescue room, apparatus and equipment as specified by the Chief Inspector-cum-Facilitator (general or special order) shall be provided and maintained for immediate use |
| 131(2) | A below ground mine with no rescue room shall have apparatus and equipment, as specified by that order, maintained at the mine entrance |
| 131(3) | Self-contained breathing apparatus at a rescue station and at the rescue rooms under it shall be of the same type and make |
| 131(4) | Of a type or standard approved by the Chief Inspector-cum-Facilitator: (a) breathing apparatus; (b) smoke helmets, tube apparatus and similar; (c) reviving apparatus; (d) electric safety lamps and flame safety lamps; (e) gas detector; (f) self-rescuers |
| 131(5) | All breathing apparatus and every flow meter adjusted and tested, and purity of oxygen tested, in the manner specified by the Chief Inspector-cum-Facilitator |
| 131(6) | If an accident in a below ground mine arises from use of any rescue apparatus, the manager sends a written report within 24 hours to the Chief Inspector-cum-Facilitator and the Inspector-cum-Facilitator, in the form specified |
| 131(7) | If an accident at a rescue station or rescue room arises from use of rescue apparatus, the Superintendent sends a written report electronically within 24 hours to the same two authorities |
| 131(8) | No absorbent charges, chemicals, self-rescuer or gas detector tubes are kept at any rescue station, rescue room or below ground mine for use beyond the expiry date, which shall be legibly marked on the boxes |
Order-based detail. The Rules do not list the content of the apparatus or the test methods. They leave it to a general or special order of the Chief Inspector-cum-Facilitator. We have not found those orders in the text, so check what has been issued for your region before buying equipment.
Same type and make. Rule 131(3) is a practical anchor: if a station buys one make of breathing apparatus, all rooms under it must have the same make, so that a team from one place can use the equipment at another.
Expiry dates. Rule 131(8) bans keeping expired absorbent charges, chemicals, self-rescuers and gas detector tubes "for use beyond the expiry date". The date must be legibly marked on the boxes. A monthly expiry check, with a record, is a sensible control.
Drafting slip. Rule 131(4) says apparatus "provided under of sub-rules (1),(2) and (3)"; the word "of" looks like a stray word. We read the cross-reference as meaning rule 131(1) to (3).
Practical examples
Example 1. A colliery wants to appoint an instructor with a Manager's certificate valid only for opencast workings. Rule 128(iii) bars it, because the certificate must be of a type not restricted to opencast workings.
Example 2. The superintendent picks fifteen rescue trained persons from three served mines in consultation with the three managers; each is posted for two years. That is within the one-to-five-year range in rule 129(2).
Example 3. A breathing apparatus fault injures a trainee at the rescue station. The superintendent emails the written report to the Chief Inspector-cum-Facilitator and the regional Inspector-cum-Facilitator within 24 hours as rule 131(7) requires.
Need help with rescue staffing and equipment?
Matching certificates, experience and posting periods to the Rules, and keeping an equipment and expiry register, takes careful record-keeping. Our team can audit your appointments and registers; start with our labour law compliance service.
Key takeaways
- Superintendent: rescue trained, 5 years below ground, First Class Manager's Certificate. Instructor: 3 years, Manager's certificate. Room in-charge: 3 years, Manager's or Mining Supervisor's Certificate.
- Station rescue trained persons are selected by the superintendent with the managers and posted for one to five years.
- Equipment standards come from orders of the Chief Inspector-cum-Facilitator; key items must be of an approved type.
- Apparatus accidents are reported in writing within 24 hours.
- No expired charges, chemicals, self-rescuers or detector tubes may be kept for use.
Read next
- Rules 132 to 136: duties of superintendent, instructor and rescue personnel
- Rules 123 and 124: rescue station establishment and functions
- Rules 125 and 126: rescue room establishment and functions
- 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.