Bahrain Updates Workplace First Aid Rules with Ministerial Resolution No. 16 of 2025
On 13 July 2025, the Ministry of Health issued Ministerial Resolution No. 16 of 2025 on Medical First Aid and Emergency Treatment in the Workplace (the “Resolution”). This measure marks a significant development in Bahrain’s occupational health and safety regime and brings workplace first aid requirements into line with international standards.
Legislative Context
The Resolution repeals Resolution No. 7 of 1976, which dealt mainly with the contents of first aid kits and the conditions for their use. That framework was limited in scope and reflected the occupational safety standards of its time.
By contrast, the new regime is broader. It aligns workplace obligations with the Public Health Law of 2018 and the Private Sector Labour Law of 2012, while also complementing Resolution No. 8 of 2013 on occupational safety and health. Together, these instruments provide a more modern and integrated system for protecting employees.
Purpose of the Reform
The Resolution aims to ensure employees receive prompt and effective medical assistance in the event of workplace injuries or sudden illnesses. Article (1) defines “first aid” as the treatment provided before medical help arrives and a “qualified and trained person” as an employee who has completed an approved training course. These definitions clarify the scope of the new duties.
Employers are required not only to provide equipment but also to appoint trained personnel and prepare emergency procedures, ensuring immediate care is available until professional services can take over.
Employer Obligations
Under Article (2), employers must make arrangements to provide first aid proportionate to the number of workers and the risks of their operations. They must also ensure the injured are transported to the nearest health facility.
Article (3) requires at least one trained first aider for every twenty workers or fewer, with their names recorded in a register. An employee must also be designated to supervise first aid equipment and liaise with authorities. This establishes clear accountability, which was lacking in the earlier regime.
Article (4) obliges employers to provide first aid kits in accordance with the schedule attached to the Resolution. At least one kit must be supplied for every one hundred workers or fewer, and kits must be accessible and include instructions. Employers must conduct regular inspections, replace expired or depleted items, and keep records available for inspection by the authorities.
Article (5) introduces the requirement for a written emergency response plan. This must include contact details for health facilities and ambulance services, evacuation routes and emergency exits, and a map identifying the nearest health facility. The requirement reflects international best practice by ensuring employers plan in advance rather than simply respond to incidents.
Comparison with Previous Rules
The 1976 resolution was limited to listing basic supplies. The new framework is more detailed and imposes continuing duties. While the items required remain broadly consistent with international practice, the focus on expiry monitoring, record keeping, and systematic inspection represents a clear departure. The emphasis is now on ensuring equipment and procedures remain effective in practice.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Failure to comply may result in penalties under either the Labour Law (Article 192 of Law No. 36 of 2012) or the Public Health Law (Article 129 of Law No. 34 of 2018), depending on the type of breach. The use of both enforcement routes underlines the seriousness with which these obligations are treated.
Conclusion
Ministerial Resolution No. 16 of 2025 introduces a modernised regime for workplace first aid in Bahrain. By repealing a framework dating from 1976, it establishes clear obligations on employers through the appointment of trained personnel, the provision and maintenance of properly equipped first aid kits, the preparation of emergency response plans, and a general duty to ensure workplace medical readiness.
For employers, this means new compliance measures, investment in training, and the establishment of monitoring systems. For employees, it provides greater confidence that workplaces are prepared to respond effectively to emergencies. The Resolution therefore strengthens Bahrain’s occupational health and safety standards and brings them into line with prevailing international practice.
