An Occupational Health Centre (OHC) is an on-site healthcare facility - typically staffed by a doctor and nurses - that manages employee health and safety at the workplace, from routine check-ups and injury care to statutory compliance. For many Indian employers, especially in manufacturing and hazardous industries, an OHC is not just a wellbeing measure but a legal requirement.
This guide explains what an OHC does, the services it provides, its compliance role under India's new labour codes, and how it turns employee health into measurable business results.
What Is an Occupational Health Centre?
An Occupational Health Centre is a hub of healthcare services located on a company's premises, managed by trained medical staff. Unlike general healthcare, an OHC focuses specifically on workplace health and safety - identifying occupational hazards, managing work-related injuries and illnesses, running statutory medical examinations, and promoting employee wellbeing.
A factory medical officer trained in AFIH (Associate Fellow of Industrial Health) can guide an organisation on safety, statutory compliance, and audits - making the OHC both a care facility and a compliance function.
OHCs and Compliance: The OSH Code 2020
For many establishments, an OHC is a statutory obligation, not an option. The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 came into force on 21 November 2025, consolidating India's earlier workplace-health laws (including the Factories Act) for establishments with 10 or more workers. It reinforces requirements around periodic medical examinations, occupational-health services, and record-keeping for factories and hazardous processes.
As the Code's rules are finalised across states, occupational-health provision is moving up the compliance agenda - making a well-run OHC central to how employers meet their statutory duties. Employers should confirm the specific obligations that apply to their establishment.
Services Offered by an Occupational Health Centre
A modern OHC delivers a broad, workplace-specific range of services. These fall into three categories:
Category Services Why it matters Preventive & screening Health check-ups, pre-employment & periodic statutory examinations, health-risk assessments, vaccinations Detects issues early and satisfies statutory examination requirements Safety & compliance Ergonomic assessments, hearing & vision tests, fitness-for-duty exams, drug & alcohol testing, health & safety training, surveillance record-keeping Reduces workplace hazards and demonstrates regulatory compliance Care & response On-site treatment of work injuries & illness, on-site medicines & instruments, stationed ambulance, return-to-work support Provides rapid, on-site care and minimises downtime after incidentsAn OHC equipped with on-site medical instruments, medicines, and an ambulance means employees receive comprehensive care without visiting multiple providers - saving time and ensuring rapid response when it matters most.
Which Industries Need an OHC Most?
While any employer benefits from on-site health provision, OHCs are especially critical - and often legally required - in higher-risk sectors:
- Manufacturing & factories - chemical exposure, machinery hazards, statutory medical exams
- Construction & infrastructure - physical injury risk, fitness-for-duty needs
- Oil, gas & heavy industry - hazardous-process regulations and surveillance requirements
- Logistics & warehousing - ergonomic and physical-strain risks
- Large corporate campuses - high headcount concentration making on-site care efficient
How an OHC Turns Absences into Achievements
The business case for an OHC is straightforward - it converts health risk into productivity and cost savings:
Business outcome How the OHC drives it Reduced absenteeism On-site access to care means fewer sick days and faster recovery Higher productivity Early detection and preventive care keep employees healthier and performing Lower costs Preventing injuries and managing risk avoids medical, absenteeism & compensation costs Stronger morale & retention Visible investment in employee health improves engagement and loyalty Reduced legal & reputational risk Demonstrable compliance avoids fines, disputes, and reputational damageFor a CHRO or EHS leader, the OHC is where employee health, statutory compliance, and cost control meet.
Measuring the Impact of Your OHC
An OHC only justifies its budget if you can measure it. Track:
- Absenteeism rate - sick days per employee, before vs. after
- Workplace injury/incident frequency - trend over time
- Workers'-compensation claims - volume and cost
- Participation in health check-ups and wellness programmes
- Statutory-compliance status - examinations completed, records maintained
Real-time dashboards that break these down let you demonstrate value to finance and leadership, rather than relying on an annual report.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Occupational Health Centre (OHC)?An OHC is an on-site healthcare facility, usually staffed by a doctor and nurses, that manages workplace health and safety - including medical check-ups, injury care, statutory examinations, health-risk assessments, and compliance record-keeping.
Is an OHC mandatory in India?For many establishments, yes. Periodic medical examinations and occupational-health provisions for factory and hazardous-process workers are required under the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 (in force since November 2025, consolidating the earlier Factories Act). Employers should confirm what applies to their establishment.
What services does an OHC provide?Health check-ups, statutory and pre-employment examinations, work-injury management, health-risk and ergonomic assessments, vaccinations, hearing and vision tests, fitness-for-duty exams, safety training, and health surveillance record-keeping.
How does an OHC benefit employers?It reduces absenteeism and workplace injuries, supports statutory compliance, lowers medical and workers'-compensation costs, and improves employee morale and retention - turning employee health into measurable business results.
Who staffs an Occupational Health Centre?Typically a factory medical officer (often AFIH-trained), supported by nurses and paramedical staff. The medical officer also advises on safety, statutory compliance, and audits.
Set Up an Occupational Health Centre with ekincare
ekincare runs occupational health centres for enterprises across India - combining on-site medical staff and facilities with statutory-compliance support, health surveillance, and the analytics to track utilisation and outcomes. See how an ekincare OHC can help your organisation meet its compliance obligations while reducing absenteeism and healthcare costs.
See how an ekincare occupational health centre helps you meet compliance obligations while reducing absenteeism and healthcare costs
Translate this insight into action with the team that touches 2 million+ lives.
Schedule a demo →