Occupational Health Centres (OHC): Setup and Requirements in India
An occupational health centre (OHC) is an onsite medical facility focused on the health of people at work. For many factories and industrial sites in India, some form of onsite medical facility is a legal requirement. For others, it is a practical choice that improves access to care. Getting occupational health centre setup right means understanding both the rules that apply to you and how the centre will run day to day.
This guide gives an overview. Requirements vary by state, industry and workforce size, so always confirm your specific obligations with the factory inspectorate or legal counsel.
What an OHC does
An occupational health centre typically handles:
- Emergency and injury care for workplace accidents and sudden illness
- Medical examinations, including pre-employment and periodic medical examinations
- Health surveillance for workers exposed to specific hazards
- Fitness-for-work and return-to-work assessments
- Primary care consultations for common illnesses
- Health education and preventive campaigns
- Medical records and statutory registers
When is an OHC required?
The legal framework is changing. Historically, the Factories Act, 1948 and the state factory rules made under it set out requirements for ambulance rooms, medical officers and medical examinations, particularly for larger factories and those with hazardous processes. For example, the Factories Act has long required an ambulance room in factories above a specified size.
The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 consolidates the Factories Act and several other laws. Its implementation depends on rules notified by the central and state governments, and the detailed requirements for OHCs, medical staffing and examinations may differ from the older rules.
Factors that typically influence what you need:
| Factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Number of workers | Larger sites usually have greater medical facility requirements |
| Hazardous processes | Often trigger medical officer and surveillance requirements |
| State rules | States set detailed requirements under central law |
| Industry-specific rules | Mining, ports, construction and chemicals may have their own |
| Distance from hospitals | Remote sites may need more onsite capability |
Because thresholds and staffing ratios depend on state rules and are being updated, avoid relying on generic figures. Check the rules applicable to your state and industry, and keep evidence of compliance.
Planning your occupational health centre setup
Step 1: Assess risk and need
Start with a review of your workforce size, shift pattern, hazards (chemical, noise, dust, heat, machinery), past injury records, and the nearest hospitals. This shapes everything else.
Step 2: Space and layout
A functional OHC usually includes:
- A consultation room with privacy
- A treatment and dressing area
- An observation or rest area with beds
- Storage for medicines and consumables
- Space for records, with secure access
- Hand-washing facilities and clean water
- Easy stretcher access and a route to the ambulance
Locate it close to high-risk areas but in a quiet, accessible spot.
Step 3: Staffing
Common staffing elements include:
- A doctor, ideally with occupational health training
- Nurses or trained paramedical staff, covering all shifts where needed
- Trained first aiders across the site
- Ambulance arrangements, either onsite or through a reliable tie-up
Step 4: Equipment and medicines
Typical items include examination equipment, BP monitors, glucometers, ECG, oxygen, an AED, suction, splints, stretchers and wheelchairs, dressing materials and an essential medicines list approved by the medical officer. Hazard-specific equipment, such as audiometry for noisy environments or spirometry for dusty workplaces, depends on your exposures.
Step 5: Protocols
Write simple, practical protocols for:
- Emergency response and referral, including which hospitals to use
- Injury reporting and investigation
- Medical examinations and health surveillance schedules
- Fitness-for-work decisions
- Medicine stock management and expiry checks
- Biomedical waste handling
Step 6: Records and confidentiality
Keep statutory registers and individual medical records accurately. Medical records are sensitive: restrict access to OHC staff, and share only fitness outcomes, not diagnoses, with management. Data handling should also align with the DPDP Act 2023.
Running the OHC well
- Audit regularly. Check equipment, drug stocks, records and response times.
- Run drills. Practise emergency scenarios with first aiders and security.
- Use the data. Aggregated injury and illness trends can point to hazards that need fixing.
- Link it to wellness. An OHC can also deliver screenings, vaccination drives and awareness sessions as part of preventive healthcare.
In-house or outsourced?
Employers can run an OHC with directly employed staff or engage a provider. Each route has trade-offs:
| Model | Advantages | Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| In-house | Direct control, staff embedded in site culture | Recruitment, leave cover, clinical supervision and training are your responsibility |
| Outsourced | Specialist expertise, replacement staff, established protocols | Needs clear contracts, service levels and oversight |
| Hybrid | Core staff in-house, specialist services external | Requires good coordination |
Whichever you choose, the legal responsibility for compliance stays with the employer, so build in regular reviews.
How MeWeSalus Care can help
MeWeSalus Care sets up and operates onsite clinics and OHCs, with ambulance coordination and statutory examinations. Explore our onsite clinic and OHC services or contact us to discuss your site's needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an OHC the same as a first aid room?
No. A first aid room provides basic emergency care. An OHC is a broader facility, usually staffed by a doctor and nurses, that handles medical examinations, injury care, health surveillance and records, as well as first aid.
Do IT and office-based companies need an OHC?
Statutory OHC requirements mainly apply to factories and hazardous operations. Large office campuses often choose an onsite clinic voluntarily for convenience and wellbeing, but should still confirm their specific obligations.
Can an OHC be outsourced?
Yes. Many employers engage a specialist provider to staff and run the OHC, while the employer remains responsible for meeting its legal obligations.
This article is for general information only and is not medical, legal or financial advice. Please consult a qualified professional about your specific situation.