Accidents Due to Exposure to High Temperature in Mines – DGMS Guidelines & Safety Measures

☀️ DETAILED NOTES

1️⃣ Introduction

Mining operations, particularly in deep underground and opencast mines, often expose workers to high atmospheric temperatures. Such heat conditions may lead to heat stress, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke, resulting in reduced productivity, physical collapse, or even fatal accidents. According to DGMS data (2014–2015), several heat-related incidents occurred in opencast mines during summer and deep metal mines due to poor ventilation and humidity control.

2️⃣ DGMS Observations

Common Incidents: Heat exhaustion and dehydration; Heat cramps due to electrolyte imbalance; Heat stroke leading to unconsciousness or death.

Causes: Poor ventilation in underground workings; Direct exposure to sun in opencast pits; High humidity and low air velocity; Use of heavy PPE in hot environments.

Affected Areas: Deep metal mines (>300 m); Opencast pits during summer; Workshops and boiler areas.

3️⃣ Legal Framework

Regulation/Rule	Provision
CMR 2017 – Reg. 153	Adequate ventilation to maintain safe temperature and humidity.
MMR 1961 – Reg. 155	Temperature and humidity control in underground workings.
Mines Act, 1952 – Sec. 23	Responsibility of management to ensure safe working environment.
DGMS Circular (Tech.) 07/2013	Thermal stress management in mines.

4️⃣ Physiological Effects of Heat

Type	Symptoms	Immediate Action
Heat Exhaustion	Weakness, dizziness, heavy sweating	Move to shade, give fluids
Heat Stroke	High body temperature, unconsciousness	Cool body, call medical help
Heat Cramps	Muscle pain due to salt loss	Rehydration with electrolytes

5️⃣ Preventive Measures

✅ Engineering Controls: Maintain ventilation velocity ≥ 30 m/min in hot zones; Use auxiliary fans and cooling ducts; Install wet bulb temperature monitoring systems.

✅ Administrative Controls: Schedule heavy work during cooler hours; Ensure work–rest cycles; Conduct heat acclimatization training.

✅ Personal Measures: Provide cool drinking water and electrolyte solution; Encourage light cotton clothing and proper PPE; Monitor workers for signs of heat stress.

✅ Emergency Response: Maintain first aid and cooling chambers; Immediate medical evacuation plan for affected workers.

6️⃣ DGMS Recommendations

Conduct thermal surveys using wet bulb/dry bulb thermometers.
Maintain wet bulb temperature ≤ 30°C for safe working.
Provide cooling pads and rest shelters in opencast mines.
Educate workers on heat stress symptoms.
Record temperature readings daily in Form-V entries.

⚡ QUICK ONE-LINERS

Heat stress = physiological strain due to high temperature.
DGMS Circular 07/2013 = thermal stress management.
Safe wet bulb temp ≤ 30°C.
Reg. 153 CMR 2017 = ventilation requirement.
Acclimatization training reduces risk.
Dehydration = main cause of heat exhaustion.
Heat stroke = life-threatening emergency.
Work-rest cycles mandatory above 32°C WB temp.
Salted water & ORS must be available at site.
Cooling chambers recommended by DGMS.

🧠 DESCRIPTIVE MODEL QUESTION & ANSWER

Q. Explain the causes and preventive measures of accidents due to exposure to high atmospheric temperature in mines as per DGMS guidelines.

Answer:
Exposure to high atmospheric temperature can lead to heat stress and related accidents in mines. DGMS analysis shows that deep metal mines and opencast operations during summer are most vulnerable due to inadequate ventilation and heat load.

Causes: Inadequate airflow and high humidity; Continuous exposure to direct sunlight; Improper hydration and lack of rest; Heavy PPE or confined working spaces.

Preventive Measures: Maintain ventilation as per CMR 2017 Reg. 153; Monitor wet bulb temperature daily; Provide ORS and water points in working areas; Implement work-rest scheduling and cooling shelters; Train workers to identify early signs of heat stress.

DGMS Circular 07/2013 emphasizes the need for thermal environment monitoring, and strict adherence ensures safe and efficient mine operation.

🎯 25 MCQs – High Temperature Accidents (DGMS Focus)

Q1. High temperature accidents mainly occur due to:

Solution: High temperatures lead to physiological heat stress, which is the primary cause of these incidents.

Q2. DGMS Circular for thermal stress management:

Solution: Circular 07/2013 specifically provides guidelines for managing thermal stress in mines.

Q3. Safe wet bulb temperature for mines:

Solution: DGMS guidelines generally consider a wet bulb temperature below 30.5°C as safe, with 30°C often used as a practical limit.

Q4. CMR regulation on ventilation and temperature:

Solution: Regulation 153 of CMR 2017 mandates adequate ventilation to control temperature and humidity.

Q5. Heat exhaustion symptoms:

Solution: These are classic symptoms indicating the body is overheating and losing fluids/electrolytes.

Q6. Life-threatening heat condition:

Solution: Heat stroke is a medical emergency where the body's cooling mechanism fails, potentially leading to death.

Q7. High humidity reduces:

Solution: High humidity hinders the body's primary cooling mechanism – sweat evaporation.

Q8. Physiological strain due to heat:

Solution: Heat stress is the body's overall response to excessive heat.

Q9. ORS stands for:

Solution: ORS helps replenish fluids and electrolytes lost through sweating.

Q10. Work-rest cycle required when WB temp exceeds:

Solution: Many guidelines suggest implementing structured work-rest cycles above a wet bulb temperature of 32°C.

Q11. Primary control for underground heat:

Solution: Adequate ventilation is the most effective engineering control for managing heat underground.

Q12. Heat stroke treatment:

Solution: Rapid cooling is critical in treating heat stroke to prevent organ damage.

Q13. Thermal survey includes measurement of:

Solution: Wet bulb and dry bulb temperatures are key parameters in assessing the thermal environment.

Q14. DGMS recommends rest shelters in:

Solution: Rest shelters provide shaded and cooler areas for workers in opencast mines exposed to direct sun.

Q15. Main cause of heat cramps:

Solution: Excessive sweating leads to loss of electrolytes (salt), causing muscle cramps.

Q16. Heat acclimatization helps:

Solution: Gradual exposure allows the body to adapt physiologically to work efficiently in heat.

Q17. Monitoring of temperature done using:

Solution: These thermometers are standard instruments for measuring temperature and humidity to assess heat stress potential.

Q18. Drinking water should be available every:

Solution: Accessibility to drinking water is crucial; regulations often specify maximum distances. (Note: Specific distance might vary, but 250m is a plausible guideline).

Q19. DGMS suggests heat-related medical records:

Solution: Maintaining records of heat stress incidents and medical conditions is part of occupational health surveillance.

Q20. Main environmental factor for heat stress:

Solution: Both high temperature and high humidity contribute significantly to heat stress by impairing the body's cooling.

Q21. Personnel working in heat should get:

Solution: Medical fitness assessments ensure workers are physically capable of handling heat exposure.

Q22. Cooling chambers used for:

Solution: These are designated cool areas for workers to recover during breaks or after experiencing heat stress symptoms.

Q23. Regulation for temperature control in metal mines:

Solution: Regulation 155 of MMR 1961 specifically addresses temperature and humidity control in metal mines.

Q24. Water points in hot zones should provide:

Solution: Providing cool water and electrolyte solutions (ORS) is crucial for hydration and preventing heat cramps/exhaustion.

Q25. Goal of DGMS thermal safety circular:

Solution: The ultimate objective of safety regulations and circulars is to prevent accidents and achieve zero harm.

🔗 INTERNAL LINKING SUGGESTIONS

Related Topic	Read More On...
Mine Environment	DGMS Circular on Dust Suppression & Environment
Safety Management	Integrated Safety Management Plan (SMP)
Health & Welfare	Health, Welfare & Behavioural Safety
DGMS Circulars	DGMS Tech Circular No. 02 of 2020

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Accidents Due to Exposure to High Temperature in Mines – DGMS Guidelines & Safety Measures

☀️ DETAILED NOTES

1️⃣ Introduction

2️⃣ DGMS Observations

3️⃣ Legal Framework

4️⃣ Physiological Effects of Heat

5️⃣ Preventive Measures

6️⃣ DGMS Recommendations

⚡ QUICK ONE-LINERS

🧠 DESCRIPTIVE MODEL QUESTION & ANSWER

🎯 25 MCQs – High Temperature Accidents (DGMS Focus)

🔗 INTERNAL LINKING SUGGESTIONS

☀️ Prepare for DGMS Exam with Real Case Studies!

OUR COURSES View More

📚 Daily Quiz • DGMS Prep

Accidents Due to Exposure to High Temperature in Mines – DGMS Guidelines & Safety Measures

☀️ DETAILED NOTES

1️⃣ Introduction

2️⃣ DGMS Observations

3️⃣ Legal Framework

4️⃣ Physiological Effects of Heat

5️⃣ Preventive Measures

6️⃣ DGMS Recommendations

⚡ QUICK ONE-LINERS

🧠 DESCRIPTIVE MODEL QUESTION & ANSWER

🎯 25 MCQs – High Temperature Accidents (DGMS Focus)

🔗 INTERNAL LINKING SUGGESTIONS

☀️ Prepare for DGMS Exam with Real Case Studies!

OUR COURSES View More

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