Rules 157 to 159 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 157 requires the employer of every mine to ensure a training scheme with nine listed elements. Rule 158 requires every person to be trained under that scheme before being employed in a mine, and rule 159 requires refresher training at least once in four years, subject to change by the Chief Inspector-cum-Facilitator.
The employer of every mine must ensure a training scheme, and the Chief Inspector-cum-Facilitator or an Inspector-cum-Facilitator may by written order require modifications. The scheme includes initial and refresher training, training on new technology, assessment of competencies and needs, competent trainers, records and audit, issued standards and course material for the vocational training centre. Every person to be employed in a mine must be trained before employment (a person already employed in another mine gets additional training as specified). Every person employed must undergo refresher training at least once in four years, unless the Chief Inspector-cum-Facilitator increases or decreases the interval for a mine.
The Code link
Section 72 of the Code says the Central Government may prescribe "vocational training and rescue and recovery services for persons employed in a mine". Rules 123 to 156 deal with rescue; rules 157 onwards deal with vocational training. See our sections 71 to 73 article. For the rescue side, see our rules 153 to 156 article. A labour law compliance review can help a mine check its training scheme against the 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 157: training scheme
157(1). The scheme is the employer's duty: "The employer of every mine shall ensure that a training scheme, based on the guidelines on the scheme of training ... specified by the Chief Inspector-cum-Facilitator for persons employed or to be employed in the mine". The scan is garbled in the middle of this sub-rule: it reads "wherever no authority, specified by the Chief Inspector-cum-Facilitator" and the sentence has no verb after "scheme". We therefore cannot state precisely what the employer is to do with the scheme (such as submit it, or implement it). On a plain reading, the scheme is to be based on the guidelines the Chief Inspector-cum-Facilitator specifies. Check the Gazette original.
Proviso. "The agent of the mine may submit the training scheme approved by the employer in writing." So the scheme is approved by the employer in writing, and the agent may submit it. The text does not say to whom it is submitted.
157(2). The Chief Inspector-cum-Facilitator or an Inspector-cum-Facilitator "may by an order in writing, require such modification in the training scheme as may be specified therein".
157(3). The scheme "shall include, but not limited to" the following:
| Clause | Content of the scheme |
|---|---|
| (i) | Initial training for persons to be employed in the mines |
| (ii) | Refresher training for persons already employed |
| (iii) | Training on introduction of new technology, equipment or change in work procedure |
| (iv) | Assessing current competencies of a person employed and prior learning, in establishing training needs |
| (v) | Assessing the training needs of persons working in mines for safe performance of mining operations |
| (vi) | Appointing persons competent to give training and assess workers' competencies |
| (vii) | Keeping and auditing records of assessment undertaken and training imparted |
| (viii) | The relevant standards, modules or guidelines issued by the Chief Inspector-cum-Facilitator |
| (ix) | Course material on various topics for different categories of persons for delivering lectures in the vocational training centre |
The list is open ("but not limited to"). Clause (vii) matters in practice: records must be both kept and audited. Clause (ix) links to the vocational training centre, whose rules come later in the Rules (see our rules 160 to 162 article and rules 163 to 166 article).
Rule 158: scope and standard for vocational training
"The owner or agent of every mine shall ensure that every person to be employed in a mine shall, before such person is employed, be imparted training as per the training scheme under these rule for such employment."
Proviso. "In case of a person who is already in employment in other mine, the owner shall ensure that such person is imparted training covering such additional course of training as specified under these rules."
Points to note:
- The duty is on the owner or agent (rule 157 says "employer"). The text uses both terms and does not explain how they relate. A mine should treat the duty as shared and settle it in writing.
- "Before such person is employed": training comes first. The rule does not say how many days or hours; the scheme and the orders specify it.
- The proviso recognises prior mining experience; such a person receives "such additional course of training as specified under these rules". The text does not say where the additional course is specified; check the training provisions that follow and any orders.
- The rule does not exempt any category of person. Contract workers who will be employed in the mine fall within "every person to be employed", although the text does not mention them by name; rule 60 mentions contract labour for medical examination only.
- Section 70 of the Code restricts employment of persons below eighteen, with a limited allowance for apprentices and trainees not below sixteen; see our sections 69 and 70 article. Rule 158 does not mention that allowance.
Rule 159: refresher training
"Every person in employment in a mine shall undergo the refresher training at least once in four years, as per training scheme."
Proviso. The Chief Inspector-cum-Facilitator "may by order in writing and subject to such conditions as may be specified therein increase or decrease the interval of Refresher training at a mine."
| Feature | Rule |
|---|---|
| Who | Every person in employment in a mine |
| How often | At least once in four years |
| Based on | The training scheme |
| Change of interval | Chief Inspector-cum-Facilitator, mine by mine, by written order with conditions |
The four years is a ceiling on the gap, not a fixed cycle. A person must have done a refresher within every four-year period. Keep a register of each person's last refresher date and flag people at 42 months.
Rule 160 deals with arrangements: refresher training during normal working hours on a full day release system; see our rules 160 to 162 article.
Practical examples
Example 1. A new surface worker is due to join a quarry on 1 November. Under rule 158 the quarry must complete the training under its scheme before that date.
Example 2. A driller moves from one mine to another. The new owner checks the additional courses specified for the new mine and gives them before he starts, as the proviso to rule 158 requires.
Example 3. A mine introduces a new continuous-miner system. Clause (iii) of rule 157(3) means the scheme must cover training on the new equipment; the mine also checks rule 161 on special training (see our next article in the series).
Need help with a mine training scheme?
A scheme with all nine elements, a register of refresher dates and an audit trail is easier to defend than a loose set of attendance sheets. Our team can review your scheme against the Central Rules; start with our labour law compliance service.
Key takeaways
- The employer of every mine must ensure a training scheme based on the Chief Inspector-cum-Facilitator's guidelines; inspectors may order modifications in writing.
- The scheme covers at least nine elements, from initial training to course material for the vocational training centre.
- Every person to be employed must be trained before employment; one already in another mine gets additional training.
- Refresher training is required at least once in four years, adjustable by written order for a mine.
- Part of rule 157(1) is garbled in the scan; verify against the Gazette.
Read next
- Rules 160 to 162: refresher arrangements, special training and training after absence
- Rules 163 to 166: training centre, staff and training officer
- Rules 140 to 143: selection, training, medical examination and suspension of rescue trained persons
- 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.