Workplaces across Bahrain are now legally required to implement enhanced medical aid and emergency treatment protocols following the introduction of a new ministerial resolution, according to a report by Gulf Daily News.
Issued by Health Minister Dr Jalila Al Sayyed and published in the latest edition of the Official Gazette, Resolution 3822 came into force in July.
The legislation sets out comprehensive regulations to improve occupational safety standards, focusing on medical preparedness, the availability of first-aid supplies, and a structured approach to responding to health emergencies, particularly in high-risk industries.
The resolution aligns with wider national efforts to strengthen preventative and life-saving measures, including a recent directive by the General Sports Authority requiring the installation of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in gyms and fitness centres.
Under the new regulations, employers must ensure that first-aid arrangements are in place at every workplace.
This includes the provision of first-aid kits at a minimum ratio of one kit per 100 employees or fewer, and the designation of at least one trained and certified first-aider for every 20 workers. A member of staff must also be assigned to monitor kit availability and ensure compliance with reporting requirements.
Workplaces are now classified according to risk level, with Class A kits intended for low- to medium-risk environments such as offices or retail spaces, and Class B kits designated for high-risk sectors such as factories and construction sites.
Each classification requires a tailored set of medical supplies, with Class B kits demanding more comprehensive contents, including additional trauma pads, splints, tourniquets and cold packs.
AEDs remain optional for Class A environments, but their use is strongly encouraged in Class B settings.
The resolution requires employers to maintain detailed emergency plans that include evacuation routes, the locations of first-aid kits and contact information for nearby health facilities.
Immediate medical assistance must be summoned in the event of an injury, and employers are obligated to ensure the injured are transported to medical care without delay. All first-aid kits must be inspected regularly and records maintained accordingly.
Legal backing for this resolution draws from a number of key Bahraini statutes, including the 1976 Social Insurance Law, the 2012 Private Sector Employment Law, the 2018 Public Health Law and its executive bylaws, as well as the 2013 Occupational Safety Regulations.
Employers found in violation may face penalties under Article 192 of the 2012 law or Article 129 of the Public Health Law, depending on the nature of the infraction.
The new resolution officially repeals a 1976 decision concerning first-aid kits, replacing it with updated standards aligned with modern occupational health and emergency care practices.
