How to Set Up an Effective Occupational Health Center at Your Facility
An Occupational Health Center (OHC) is the heart of any responsible industrial facility. It is the first line of defence against workplace illness and injury, the hub for all employee medical examinations, and a mandatory requirement under many regulatory frameworks including the Factories Act and ISO/OHSAS standards.
Yet many companies either delay OHC setup due to perceived complexity and cost, or set up inadequate facilities that fail regulatory inspections. This guide walks you through exactly what you need to set up a functional, compliant, and effective OHC at your industrial site — step by step.
What Is an Occupational Health Center (OHC)?
An OHC is a dedicated medical facility within or adjacent to an industrial workplace that provides primary healthcare services, first aid, health monitoring, and occupational health management for employees. It is staffed by qualified medical professionals and equipped with diagnostic tools appropriate to the health risks of the specific workplace.
Regulatory Requirements for OHC Setup
The requirement for an OHC or Medical Room depends on the number of workers and the nature of the hazardous process. Under the Factories Act, 1948, a medical room is mandatory for factories employing more than 500 workers. State-specific rules often mandate OHC for smaller factories in hazardous industries. ISO 45001 and OHSAS 18001 certified organizations require documented occupational health management systems.
Step-by-Step OHC Setup Guide
Step 1: Assess Your Facility’s Health Risk Profile
Before designing your OHC, conduct a thorough workplace health risk assessment. Identify hazardous processes, chemicals, noise levels, ergonomic risks, and worker population. This determines what medical services, equipment, and staffing your OHC requires.
Step 2: Define the Space and Infrastructure
Your OHC needs adequate physical space — typically a minimum of 150-200 sq ft for smaller operations, scaling up for larger workforces. Essential infrastructure includes proper ventilation and lighting, a clean and hygienic examination room, a separate waiting area for employees, emergency access for stretchers and wheelchairs, clean water supply and sanitation, and secure medication storage with lock-and-key provisions.
Step 3: Procure Essential Medical Equipment
| Minimum Equipment for a Compliant Industrial OHC |
| Examination table and doctor’s desk |
| Blood pressure monitor (digital and manual) |
| Pulse oximeter and ECG machine |
| Spirometer (lung function testing device) |
| Audiometer (hearing assessment) |
| Vision testing chart (Snellen chart) |
| Glucometer and basic pathology tools |
| Emergency resuscitation kit (Ambu bag, oxygen cylinder) |
| First aid supplies (bandages, splints, antiseptics, etc.) |
| Refrigerator for medication storage |
| Stretcher and wheelchair |
Step 4: Staff Your OHC
A functional OHC requires qualified medical and paramedical staff. At minimum, you need a part-time or full-time Occupational Health Physician (with a Diploma in Industrial Health or equivalent), a trained nurse or paramedic, and a first aid attendant for shift coverage. Staff must hold valid certifications, and their credentials must be documented and available for inspection.
Step 5: Establish Documentation Systems
Documentation is where many OHC setups fall short. You need a Health Register for all employees, individual employee health cards, examination and investigation records, treatment and medication logs, first aid incident registers, OHC equipment maintenance logs, and monthly health statistics and reports for management.
Step 6: Develop Emergency Response Protocols
Your OHC must have clear written protocols for medical emergencies such as chemical exposure, electrical injuries, heat stroke, traumatic injuries, and cardiac events. These protocols should be displayed in the OHC and communicated to all employees and safety officers.
Common OHC Compliance Mistakes to Avoid
- Setting up an OHC in an inaccessible or poorly located area of the facility.
- Using expired or inadequate medical equipment.
- Employing unqualified staff as medical officers.
- Failing to maintain proper documentation and records.
- No emergency protocols or inadequate emergency equipment.
- Not linking OHC activities to the plant’s broader safety management system.
How Shree Sai Occupational Health Care Supports OHC Setup
Setting up an OHC from scratch can feel overwhelming — but you don’t have to do it alone. Shree Sai Occupational Health Care provides complete OHC setup and management services for industrial facilities across India. Our end-to-end support includes facility planning and equipment procurement guidance, trained medical staff deployment, health register and documentation setup, Factory Act and ISO compliance support, ongoing health monitoring and quarterly audits, and staff first aid training programs.
We have successfully set up and managed OHCs across manufacturing, chemical, pharmaceutical, and construction sectors in Gujarat, Maharashtra, and other states.
A well-equipped and properly staffed OHC is not just a regulatory box to tick — it is an investment in your workforce’s well-being and your organization’s long-term productivity. A healthy employee is a productive employee, and a compliant OHC protects both your workers and your business.