Employer's Duty in India: How Quickly Should First Aid Be Given After a Factory Accident?

I would like to know the responsibility of the employer in providing first aid promptly after an accident for a worker in a factory.

My intention is to know the implications of any delay on the part of the employer in providing medical treatment to a worker after an accident.

Is the employer responsible for the delay in providing medical help to an employee? In the Factory Act 1948, Chapter V, you can find information about first aid, which should be readily available at the factory/security gate with a trained first aider. If the case is serious, then immediate medical help should be sought. There should be no delay in such cases.

Thank you.

Also, inform your labor authority. If needed, inform your nearest police station (as per your insurance party guidelines) and obtain a receipt copy of the same.

First aid regulations in the workplace

First aid rules are well defined in the Factory Act and Shops & Establishments Act, and a first aid box is mandatory at establishments. Submission of an accident report within the prescribed time is mandatory. Any violation would be subject to legal charges and compliance by the department.

Employer's Responsibility in Providing Medical Assistance After an Accident

First and foremost, the employer needs to ensure they get medical help for the injured person. If the accident is fatal, the individual should be rushed to a good hospital's casualty or emergency department to receive medical aid. The accident report and intimation to the Labour department/factory inspector should be completed within 48 hours from the time of the accident.

Providing urgent medical assistance to those injured in accidents on factory premises is the first priority. This is not only a legal obligation of the employer but also an ethical, moral, and humanitarian obligation.