Workplace First Aid Requirements in India: A Practical Guide

Accidents and sudden illness can happen in any workplace: a fall on a wet floor, a burn in a canteen, a cut on the shop floor, a colleague who collapses during a meeting. Understanding workplace first aid requirements in India helps employers meet legal duties and, more importantly, respond well in the first critical minutes.

This guide covers the legal basics, what a good first aid setup looks like, and how to build an emergency response plan. Rules depend on your industry, state and workforce size, so confirm specifics with counsel or the local inspectorate.

The legal framework, in brief

First aid duties come from several sources:

• The Factories Act, 1948 and state factory rules have long required factories to maintain first aid boxes, commonly at least one for every 150 workers, kept in the charge of a trained person, and an ambulance room for larger factories (above 500 workers).
• The OSH Code 2020 consolidates the Factories Act and other laws, including those covering mines, docks and construction. Detailed first aid requirements under it depend on central and state rules, which have been notified at different times.
• State Shops and Establishments Acts may include health and safety provisions for offices and commercial premises; requirements vary by state.
• Sector-specific rules apply to mines, construction sites, ports and other high-risk settings.

Even where no specific rule applies, employers have a general duty of care. Many organizations follow good-practice standards regardless.

Workplace first aid requirements in India: the essentials

1. First aid boxes

Place boxes where they are easy to reach, clearly marked and checked regularly. Typical contents include:

• Sterile dressings and bandages of different sizes
• Adhesive plasters
• Antiseptic solution or wipes
• Cotton wool and gauze
• Scissors, tweezers and safety pins
• Disposable gloves
• Burn dressings
• Eye wash or sterile saline
• Triangular bandages and a splint
• A first aid manual and emergency numbers

State rules may specify contents in detail. Assign someone to check stock and expiry dates monthly.

2. Trained first aiders

Boxes are useless without people who know what to do. Identify first aiders on every floor and shift, including night shifts and weekends. Training should cover:

• Scene safety and calling for help
• CPR and AED use
• Bleeding control, burns, fractures and sprains
• Choking
• Recognising heart attack, stroke, seizures and diabetic emergencies
• Recovery position

Display first aiders' names and contact numbers visibly.

3. AEDs

An automated external defibrillator (AED) can be used by trained laypeople to deliver a shock during sudden cardiac arrest. Consider installing AEDs at larger offices, campuses and factories, especially where emergency services may take time to arrive.

4. A first aid room or onsite clinic

Larger or higher-risk sites may need, or benefit from, a dedicated room with a bed, washing facilities and equipment, or a staffed occupational health centre.

Matching first aid to your workplace

Workplace type	Typical risks	First aid priorities
Office	Falls, fainting, cardiac events, minor cuts	CPR/AED, trained first aiders on every floor
Factory	Cuts, crush injuries, burns, chemical splashes	Boxes per area, eye wash, burns care, ambulance access
Warehouse	Manual handling injuries, falls, vehicle incidents	Splints, spinal precautions, quick ambulance response
Construction site	Falls from height, heavy injuries	Trained first aiders on site, stretcher, hospital tie-up
Remote or field teams	Isolation, road incidents, heat	Personal first aid kits, communication plans

Building an emergency response plan

First aid is one part of a wider plan. Your plan should cover:

1. Who to call. Internal first aiders, security, the onsite clinic, ambulance, nearest hospitals.
2. How to call. A single, well-publicised emergency number internally.
3. Ambulance access. Clear routes, lift priority, gate instructions for night shifts.
4. Hospital tie-ups. Identify nearby hospitals that can handle trauma and cardiac emergencies; understand cashless admission processes under your group policy.
5. Communication. Who informs family, HR and leadership.
6. Recording. Incident reports for investigation and statutory reporting where required.

Run drills at least once a year and after any major change to the site.

Common gaps to fix

• First aiders who left the company and were never replaced
• Expired items or empty boxes
• No trained first aider on night shift
• AEDs installed but never checked, or staff unaware of their location
• No plan for visitors, contractors or delivery staff

Keeping your setup current

First aid readiness slips quietly over time. A simple quarterly routine helps:

• Check every first aid box against its contents list and replace used or expired items.
• Confirm the list of trained first aiders is up to date, with cover on every shift.
• Test AEDs according to the manufacturer's guidance and check pad and battery expiry.
• Review incident records for patterns that suggest a hazard needs fixing.

How MeWeSalus Care can help

MeWeSalus Care supports employers with onsite clinics and OHCs, ambulance coordination and health awareness sessions. Explore our onsite clinic, ambulance and home care services or contact us to review your first aid and emergency readiness.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should first aid training be refreshed?

Many training providers recommend refreshing certification every two to three years, with short practice drills in between. Follow any period specified in the rules that apply to you.

Should offices keep an AED?

An AED is not universally mandated for offices, but many larger workplaces choose to install one, given that early defibrillation can be critical in sudden cardiac arrest. Pair it with trained staff and regular checks.

Can first aiders give medicines to employees?

First aiders should generally not give prescription medicines. Policies on simple over-the-counter items vary, so follow medical advice and your organization's written first aid policy.

This article is for general information only and is not medical, legal or financial advice. Please consult a qualified professional about your specific situation.