Rules 132 to 136 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 132 to 136 assign duties to each person in the rescue set-up: the superintendent (overall charge, inspections, daily and 24-hour reports), the instructor (training, equipment tests, charge in the superintendent's absence), the rescue room in-charge, rescue trained persons posted at a station, and rescue room attendants.
The superintendent is overall in charge of the rescue station and its rescue rooms, ensures equipment is in working order and tested, countersigns records, makes periodical inspections, performs rescue work assigned by the manager, and sends a daily report and a complete report within twenty-four hours after rescue or recovery work. The instructor trains, inspects and tests equipment, and is in charge in the superintendent's absence. The rescue room in-charge keeps the room, its list of mines and its records, and keeps out unauthorised persons. Attendants must not leave until relieved.
Context
The people named here are appointed under rules 123 to 130; see our rules 123 and 124 article and rules 127 to 131 article. The rescue and recovery framework comes from section 72 of the Code (see our sections 71 to 73 article). Mine employers who want to check their rescue duty chart can begin with 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.
Rule 132: the superintendent
| Sub-rule | Duty |
|---|---|
| 132(1) | Overall in charge of the rescue station and the rescue rooms it serves |
| 132(2) | Ensure rescue equipment and apparatus at the station, rooms and at the entrance of the below ground mine under their control are (i) maintained in proper working order, (ii) inspected by instructors at specified intervals, (iii) tested and adjusted accordingly |
| 132(3) | Keep adequate stock of spare parts and supplies |
| 132(4) | Countersign the records maintained |
| 132(5) | Ensure persons selected for initial training and those on refresher training receive the course of instructions and practices approved by the Chief Inspector-cum-Facilitator and are issued certificates |
| 132(6) | Make periodical inspection of rescue rooms and the apparatus and equipment under their control |
| 132(7) | In an emergency at a below ground mine, perform rescue and recovery work assigned by the manager or, in the manager's absence, the principal official present at the surface |
| 132(8) | Send a daily report and a complete report within twenty-four hours after completion of the rescue or recovery work to the Inspector-cum-Facilitator or the Chief Inspector-cum-Facilitator |
| 132(9) | Maintain a bound paged book, or retrievable and non-editable electronic form, recording the results of each inspection and the action taken to rectify defects |
Three practical points:
- "Specified intervals" and "periodical". Rule 132(2)(ii) and (6) do not give a number of days or months, and we have found no figure in these rules. They refer to intervals "specified" without saying by whom. Set the intervals in your mine's written procedure, and check any order of the Chief Inspector-cum-Facilitator.
- Reports. The daily report runs while rescue work goes on; the complete report is due within twenty-four hours after completion. The text does not say that the daily report has a particular form.
- Records. Rule 132(9) allows a bound paged book or an electronic record, provided it is retrievable and non-editable. A spreadsheet that anyone can edit would not meet this test.
Rule 133: the instructor
| Sub-rule | Duty |
|---|---|
| 133(1)(i) | Under the superintendent's direction, impart the course of instructions and practices to persons selected for training in rescue and recovery work and to rescue trained persons, and keep a record |
| 133(1)(ii) | Inspect, test and adjust rescue equipment and apparatus and keep a record |
| 133(2) | In an emergency, perform rescue and recovery work assigned by the manager or, in the manager's absence, the principal official at the surface |
| 133(3) | Not leave the rescue station without prior permission of the superintendent |
| 133(4) | In the absence of the superintendent, the instructor is in charge of the rescue station |
Rule 133(4) sits with rule 123(3): the instructor covers a short absence, and the employer must appoint another superintendent if the absence exceeds sixty days.
Rule 134: the rescue room in-charge
The in-charge must:
- Display prominently a list of mines served by the rescue room.
- Maintain the equipment and apparatus at the room in proper working order.
- Maintain a proper record of all rescue equipment and apparatus kept at the room and of inspection of it.
- Not allow any unauthorised person to enter the room or take out any apparatus or equipment.
Rule 135: rescue trained persons posted at the station
A rescue trained person at a station shall:
- obey the orders of the superintendent and instructor and assist them;
- attend to messages, telephone calls and wireless and keep a record;
- keep the station neat and tidy;
- maintain the station's equipment and apparatus in proper working order;
- perform rescue and recovery work in mine; and
- not leave the station without the superintendent's permission.
Rule 136: the rescue room attendant
Every attendant shall:
- not leave the rescue room until relieved by a substitute;
- not allow any unauthorised person in or to take out apparatus or equipment;
- attend to telephone calls and keep a record;
- keep the room neat and tidy; and
- obey the in-charge and assist in discharging the in-charge's functions.
Note that rule 125(3) requires a rescue trained person always in attendance at the room; rule 136(i) makes that practical by tying the attendant to the post until a substitute arrives.
Who is a "rescue room attendant". The rules use "attendants" in rule 139(3)(ii) ("rescue room in-charge rescue trained persons and attendants attached to it") but do not separately define the post or its qualifications in the text we read. Treat it as a post the employer fills.
A drafting point. Rule 132(2) refers to "the entrance of the below ground mine under their control". Rule 131(2) puts apparatus at the entrance only where no rescue room is located. The reading that fits both is that the superintendent's duty extends to those entrances.
Practical examples
Example 1. After a mine fire drill that turned into a real response, the superintendent sends a daily report each day and a complete report within twenty-four hours after the recovery work ends, to the regional Inspector-cum-Facilitator.
Example 2. The superintendent is attending a training abroad for two weeks. The senior instructor is in charge of the station, as rule 133(4) says, and does not leave without permission.
Example 3. An attendant's relief is late. Under rule 136(i) the attendant stays until a substitute arrives.
Need help with rescue duty charts and records?
Duties are only as good as the records behind them. Our team can help you draft duty charts and register formats that match the Central Rules; start with our labour law compliance service.
Key takeaways
- The superintendent has overall charge, inspects, countersigns records and reports (daily plus complete report within 24 hours of finishing).
- Inspection records must be in a bound paged book or retrievable, non-editable electronic form.
- The instructor trains, tests equipment, needs permission to leave and is in charge when the superintendent is absent.
- The room in-charge displays the mine list, keeps equipment records and keeps out unauthorised persons.
- Attendants stay until relieved and log telephone calls.
Read next
- Rules 137 to 139: telephone, rescue tracings and rescue trained persons in mines
- Rules 127 to 131: rescue staff qualifications, selection and equipment
- 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.