Rules 140 to 143 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 140 says who may be selected for rescue training: aged 21 to 40, first-aid certified, experienced underground, medically fit and suitable in the superintendent's view. Rule 141 covers the course and practice record, rule 142 requires a re-examination at least every twelve months, and rule 143 allows suspension for negligence or misconduct.
A person may be selected for rescue training only if aged between 21 and 40 with a valid First-aid certificate, certified by the manager as having enough underground experience, certified medically fit and without any organic disease or weakness, and considered suitable by the Superintendent. The trainee must pass a course and be certified efficient by the Superintendent. Every rescue trained person is re-examined at least once every twelve months to the Form IX standard; if declared unfit, they cease to be a rescue trained person from that date. The employer or an Inspector-cum-Facilitator may suspend or debar a person for negligence or misconduct after a written explanation.
Context
Rescue trained persons are the backbone of the staffing rules in 123 to 139; see our rules 137 to 139 article. The training and rescue framework rests on section 72 of the Code; see our sections 71 to 73 article. A labour law compliance review can help a mine check its rescue training files against these rules.
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 140: who may be selected
"No person shall be selected for training in rescue work, unless such person" meets all four tests:
| Test | Requirement |
|---|---|
| (i) | Is between 21 and 40 years of age and holds a valid First-aid certificate from institutes recognised by the Central or State Government |
| (ii) | Is certified by the manager as having sufficient underground experience for rescue work |
| (iii) | Is certified by a qualified medical practitioner, designated by the manager, after examination to a standard specified by the Chief Inspector-cum-Facilitator through general or special order, to have no organic disease or weakness and to be fit for rescue work |
| (iv) | Is considered by the Superintendent of the rescue station, after such examination and interview as the Superintendent considers necessary, to be suitable for rescue work with breathing apparatus |
Observations:
- The age band 21 to 40 applies at selection. The text does not say what happens to a person who crosses 40 after becoming rescue trained; rule 142 turns on medical fitness, not age.
- "Sufficient underground experience" has no number of years in the text; the manager's certificate is the test.
- The medical standard for rescue work is set by an order of the Chief Inspector-cum-Facilitator. This is a separate standard from Form IX, which rule 142 uses for the annual re-examination.
- The Superintendent's examination and interview is open-ended ("as the Superintendent considers necessary"). Keep a note of what was done.
Rule 141: instructions and practices
| Sub-rule | Requirement |
|---|---|
| 141(1) | Every person selected must undergo the course of instructions and practices specified by the Chief Inspector-cum-Facilitator (general or special order) until they have passed and been certified as efficient by the Superintendent |
| 141(2) | A rescue trained person shall undergo practices and receive instructions as specified by the Chief Inspector-cum-Facilitator through general or special order |
| 141(3) | A record at every rescue station of all persons undergoing practices and receiving instructions, containing: (i) date and character of each practice; (ii) the medical condition of each person after the practice and, if anything abnormal was observed, whether it was due to a defect of the apparatus or due to that person; (iii) any other relevant information |
The course content and the interval of practices are not in the rules; they are in orders. We have not found those orders in the source text, so check the current order issued for your region. Rule 124(i) and (ii) make the rescue station the place for initial and refresher training, and rule 132(5) says the superintendent must see that the persons receive the approved course and are issued certificates. See our rules 123 and 124 article.
The post-practice medical note in 141(3)(ii) matters for safety: it separates equipment faults from personal causes, which helps decisions on apparatus and on the individual.
Rule 142: yearly medical re-examination
"Every rescue trained person shall be re-examined once at least in every twelve months by a qualified medical practitioner as may be designated by the manager in accordance with the standard as specified in FORM IX." If declared medically unfit, the person "shall cease to be a rescue trained person with effect from the date such person has been so declared".
- Interval: at least once in every twelve months.
- Examiner: a qualified medical practitioner designated by the manager. Rule 110 (examining authorities) applies to the mine medical examination under rule 109; rule 142 uses its own designation route. The rule does not say whether the rule 110(2) occupational health training applies to this doctor, so do not assume it does, and do not assume it does not; ask the Chief Inspector-cum-Facilitator.
- Standard: Form IX, which is "For mine employees only" and cites rule 142 among the rules it serves. See our rules 113 and 114 article.
- Consequence: automatic loss of the status from the date of the unfit declaration. The rule does not mention an appeal. Rule 117 deals with appeals against a declaration of unfitness for employment in mines, a different thing. It is not clear whether it extends to loss of rescue status. We flag this and suggest asking the Chief Inspector-cum-Facilitator.
Rule 143: suspension
"If in the opinion of the employer or an Inspector-cum-Facilitator, a rescue trained person is guilty of negligence or misconduct in the performance of their duties, may after giving such person an opportunity to provide a written explanation, suspend or debar such person from undertaking any rescue and recovery work."
- Who: the employer or an Inspector-cum-Facilitator (the sentence is loosely drafted, and the subject of "may" is not stated).
- Ground: negligence or misconduct in the performance of rescue duties.
- Procedure: an opportunity to give a written explanation first. No time limit is stated.
- Effect: suspension or debarment from rescue and recovery work, not from employment in the mine.
- The rule does not set a duration for suspension or a way to restore the person.
Practical examples
Example 1. A 38-year-old shot-firer with a first-aid certificate from a recognised institute is proposed for training. The manager certifies his underground experience, the designated doctor certifies him fit, and the Superintendent interviews him. All four tests of rule 140 are met.
Example 2. A rescue trained person has not been examined for 14 months. Rule 142 requires re-examination at least every twelve months; the manager books it at once and records the delay.
Example 3. A team member skips a mandatory apparatus check during a drill. The employer asks for a written explanation and then suspends him from rescue work for a stated period under rule 143.
Need help with rescue training records?
Age bands, medical dates and practice records are the details inspectors look for. Our team can build a register that follows these rules. Start with our labour law compliance service.
Key takeaways
- Four tests apply before selection: age 21 to 40 with a valid First-aid certificate, manager's experience certificate, medical fitness, and Superintendent's suitability.
- The course and practices are those specified by the Chief Inspector-cum-Facilitator; efficiency is certified by the Superintendent.
- A station-level record of practices and post-practice medical condition is mandatory.
- Re-examination at least every twelve months to Form IX; unfit means loss of rescue status from that date.
- Suspension or debarment needs a written explanation first.
Read next
- Rules 144 to 147: emergency duties, accommodation, entry and fresh air bases
- Rules 137 to 139: telephone, rescue tracings and appointment of rescue trained persons
- Rules 157 to 159: training scheme, vocational training and refresher training
- 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.