The Ministry of Labour and Employment (MoLE) on January 28, 2026, issued the Draft Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (Coal Mines) Regulations, 2026.
The Draft Regulations seek to regulate occupational safety, health and working conditions in all coal mines across India, and shall apply uniformly from the date of their notification. The regulations derive authority from the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020, and adopt its definitions wherever terms are not specifically defined.
A Board of Mining Examination is proposed to be constituted for conducting examinations and granting certificates of competency for mine managers, supervisors, surveyors, winding engine operators and electrical supervisors. Certificates issued under earlier Coal Mines Regulations shall continue to remain valid and deemed equivalent under the new regulations.
The regulations prescribe mandatory qualifications, age limits, medical fitness requirements and practical experience for appointment and continuation of mine officials. Maximum age limits have been specified for managers, officials and winding engine operators, subject to valid medical fitness certification.
Every coal mine is required to appoint adequate and qualified agents, managers, engineers, ventilation officers, supervisors and surveyors, depending on the type of mine, degree of mechanisation and output. Each working shift must be provided with sufficient supervision to ensure effective safety oversight.
Provisions have been made for suspension or cancellation of certificates of competency in cases of negligence or misconduct, after due enquiry and opportunity of hearing, with a right of appeal to the Central Government.
The owner, agent and manager have been made collectively responsible for ensuring safe working conditions, proper supervision, statutory compliance, and timely intimation of opening, reopening, closure or change in management of coal mines to the competent authorities.
The draft regulations are issued for information to all persons likely to be affected that the said draft notification will be taken into consideration after the expiry of a period of 45 days from the date on which the copies of the Official Gazette.
Objections and suggestions, if any, may be addressed to Shri Ravishankar Nirala, Under Secretary to the Government of India, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Room No: 17, Shram Shakti Bhawan, Rafi Marg, New Delhi or by email ([email protected] and [email protected])
[Notification No. G.S.R. 67(E)]
