Rules 173-176 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 173 to 176 close the mine-training chapter. They say how a person who completes training is certified, how the certificate is kept by the mine, that inspectors may inspect any training centre, and that a centre cannot be closed or paused for long without notice.
Rule 173: after assessment and acceptable performance the person gets a certificate signed by the training officer in a form specified by the Chief Inspector-cum-Facilitator, countersigned and dated by the mine manager. Rule 174: the certificate is delivered to the manager, who keeps it safely, gives a receipt, and returns it on termination. Rule 175: inspectors may enter and inspect any training centre. Rule 176: closing a centre, or stopping it for more than sixty days, needs thirty days' prior notice.
Context
These rules are in the mines training part of the OSH (Central) Rules, 2026, made under the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 (the OSH Code). They follow the people rules in our rules 167-172 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. Mine operators can check their certificate and notice practice with our labour law compliance team.
Rule 173: certificate of training
| Sub-rule | What it says |
|---|---|
| (1) | Every person who undergoes a course of training specified in the Rules is assessed on completion and, subject to acceptable performance, granted a certificate duly signed by the training officer, in a Form to be specified by the Chief Inspector-cum-Facilitator through general or special order |
| (2) | If the training officer is not satisfied with a trainee's progress or performance, the officer reports to the mine manager, who may arrange further training |
| (3) | The mine manager countersigns the certificate and specifies the date after being satisfied of successful completion |
A point to note: the certificate form is not one of the numbered Forms in the Rules. The text leaves its design to an order of the Chief Inspector-cum-Facilitator, so the mine should hold the current specimen. Without the manager's countersignature and date, the certificate is incomplete under sub-rule (3). The grant is "subject to acceptable performance", so completion of attendance alone does not entitle a person to the certificate.
Rule 174: certificate to be delivered to the management
Sub-rule (1) says every person employed in a mine shall deliver to management the certificates issued under the Rules, whether (a) obtained before such employment or (b) obtained during employment within such time as the manager specifies. The sub-rule is badly punctuated, and its list uses "if has obtained" and "within such time" in separate clauses with a closing clause (c) "deliver the certificate issued to them". Read as a whole, it requires delivery of earlier certificates on joining and of later certificates within the time the manager specifies.
| Sub-rule | Duty |
|---|---|
| (1) | Employee delivers certificates to management |
| (2) | The manager keeps the certificate in safe custody and issues a receipt for it |
| (3) | On termination of employment, the certificate deposited is returned to the employee |
Three practical points follow. The receipt is the employee's protection if the mine loses the paper, so a numbered receipt book or digital acknowledgement is advisable. The manager is the custodian, so the certificates should sit in a controlled file, not with an individual supervisor. And on exit, the certificate goes back to the person, which should be a line on the exit checklist. The text sets no time limit for returning it; return it at termination.
The time the manager specifies under sub-rule (1)(b) should be communicated in writing so that there is no later dispute.
Rule 175: inspection of vocational training centre
The Chief Inspector-cum-Facilitator or Inspector-cum-Facilitator may enter, inspect and examine any training centre or any part of it, and make such examination or inquiry as thinks fit, to ascertain whether the Rules and orders made under them are being complied with.
The rule has no advance-notice requirement and no limit on hours. Staff at the centre should know that an inspector may arrive and what records to produce: certificates issued, training officer and instructor records, trainer supervision records, reports and the orders on staff and equipment. Records under rule 166 and the instructor's weekly reports under rule 170 are the first things an inspector is likely to look for. Our rules 163-166 article lists them.
Rule 176: notice of closure or discontinuance
| Element | Rule 176 |
|---|---|
| Who gives notice | The employer of a mine, or the owner of a common vocational training centre |
| When it applies | Intention to close a training centre established under the Rules, or to discontinue its working for a period exceeding sixty days |
| How | In the manner and form specified by the Chief Inspector-cum-Facilitator through general or special order |
| Content | The reasons for closure or discontinuance |
| Time | Not less than thirty days before the closure or discontinuance |
| Proviso | Notice forthwith where, due to unforeseen circumstances, a centre is closed or discontinued before the notice has been given, or where discontinuance without previous intention runs beyond sixty days |
The sixty-day line works in two ways. A planned break of sixty days or less does not need the thirty-day notice under the main text. A planned break longer than sixty days does. If a break that was never planned stretches beyond sixty days, the proviso requires notice forthwith. The text does not say to whom the notice is addressed; the form and manner come from the Chief Inspector-cum-Facilitator's order, so check that order for the addressee.
One more gap to flag: the Rules do not say what happens to trainees mid-course when a centre closes. A mine should plan for completion of their training elsewhere, possibly at a common centre under rule 163.
Practical examples
Example 1. A new joiner brings a training certificate from an earlier mine. The manager takes it, keeps it in the certificate file and issues a receipt. On resignation, the certificate is returned.
Example 2. A trainee's assessment is weak. The training officer reports to the manager, who arranges further training. The certificate is issued only once performance is acceptable and the manager has countersigned with the date.
Example 3. A centre planned to shut for renovation for ninety days. The employer gives notice, with reasons, at least thirty days beforehand in the specified manner and form.
Compliance checklist
- Hold the current specimen certificate form and the order on notice of closure.
- Make manager countersignature and date a mandatory step.
- Run a certificate register with receipts and a return entry on exit.
- Keep centre records ready for inspection at any time.
- Diarise sixty-day and thirty-day dates for planned closures.
Need help with training certificates and centre notices?
Certificate custody, receipts and closure notices are small items that draw questions on inspection. Our advisers can build the registers, templates and checklists for you. Begin with our labour law compliance service.
Key takeaways
- The training officer signs the certificate and the mine manager countersigns it with the date.
- The form of the certificate is specified by order of the Chief Inspector-cum-Facilitator, not set out in the Rules.
- The manager keeps certificates in safe custody, issues a receipt and returns the certificate on termination.
- Inspectors may enter and inspect any training centre.
- Notice of closure or a discontinuance of more than sixty days is due at least thirty days beforehand, or forthwith in the unforeseen cases in the proviso.
Read next
- Rules 167-172: instructors, trainers and training allowance
- Rules 163-166: training centre, staff and training officer
- Rule 177: manner of holding enquiry
- Mines Act safety provisions and DGMS
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.