Accidents Due to Wheeled Trackless Machinery During 2014 – DGMS Report, Causes & Prevention

🚜 DETAILED NOTES

1️⃣ Introduction

Accidents involving wheeled trackless machinery — such as dumpers, loaders, tippers, and trucks — are among the most severe safety concerns in opencast and underground mechanized mines. DGMS analysis of 2014 accidents revealed that vehicle movement and collision incidents contributed to a large share of fatalities in Indian mines. Trackless machinery refers to rubber-tyred, self-propelled vehicles not operating on fixed rails but used for haulage, loading, and transport.

2️⃣ DGMS Findings (2014)

Major Causes: Collision between dumpers and light vehicles; Runaway of machines on gradients; Reversing without signalers; Failure of brakes and steering systems; Inadequate illumination and traffic control.

Accident Sites: Haul roads and loading points; Dump yards and return ramps; Workshop and fuel bay areas.

DGMS Observation: 85% of accidents occurred due to human error, poor maintenance, or inadequate supervision.

3️⃣ Legal & DGMS Provisions

Rule/Regulation	Provision
CMR 2017 – Regulation 96	Transport of men and material in mines.
CMR 2017 – Regulation 99(1)(b)	Road design and vehicle operation.
DGMS Circular (Tech.) 02/2010	Safety in use of HEMM (Heavy Earth Moving Machinery).
DGMS Circular (Tech.) 09/2014	Guidelines for traffic management and illumination.
Mines Act 1952 – Sec. 23	Duty of owner/agent for safe machinery operation.

4️⃣ Causes of Trackless Machinery Accidents

Over-speeding on gradients.
Operator fatigue or untrained drivers.
Poor haul road design and maintenance.
Mechanical failure of brakes or steering.
Lack of proper signaling during reversing.
Unauthorized persons riding on machines.
Poor visibility during night shifts.

5️⃣ Preventive Measures

Traffic Management Plan (TMP): Mandatory for all opencast mines.
Speed Control: Install rumble strips and radar speed indicators.
Vehicle Maintenance: Daily pre-shift inspection and logbooks.
Operator Training: DGMS-approved simulator-based training.
Reversing Safety: Use rearview cameras and reverse alarms.
Illumination: Adequate lighting as per DGMS Circular 09/2014.
Segregation: Separate routes for HEMM and light vehicles.
Seat Belts: Compulsory for all operators and passengers.

6️⃣ DGMS Recommendations

Regular fitness testing of operators under Mines Rules, 1955.
GPS tracking and fatigue monitoring systems in heavy vehicles.
Regular calibration of braking systems.
Traffic safety audits every six months.
Strict action against over-speeding and unauthorized riding.

7️⃣ Learning from DGMS 2014 Analysis

Issue Identified	Corrective Action
Untrained operator	Conduct certified simulator training
Poor illumination	Install floodlights and reflectors
Brake failure	Implement preventive maintenance
Mixed traffic routes	Separate heavy and light vehicle lanes
No reversing alarm	Fit mandatory audible warning devices

⚡ QUICK ONE-LINERS

Wheeled trackless = rubber-tyred vehicle.
CMR 2017 Reg. 96 = transport of material.
DGMS Circular 02/2010 = HEMM safety.
DGMS Circular 09/2014 = illumination standards.
TMP = Traffic Management Plan.
Reverse alarm mandatory for all HEMM.
Over-speeding = major cause of dumper accidents.
Daily inspection → Form under CMR 2017.
Operator must hold valid driving license & training.
GPS-based fatigue systems recommended.

🧠 DESCRIPTIVE MODEL QUESTION & ANSWER

Q. Discuss the major causes and preventive measures of accidents due to wheeled trackless machinery in mines with reference to DGMS findings (2014).

Answer:
DGMS (2014) reported that most accidents involving wheeled trackless machinery such as dumpers, loaders, and trucks were due to operator negligence, poor maintenance, and inadequate supervision. Major Causes:

Over-speeding and fatigue.
Reversing without signalers.
Poor illumination and haul road design.
Brake or steering failure.

Preventive Measures:

Prepare a Traffic Management Plan (TMP) and speed limits.
Conduct daily inspection and maintenance of vehicles.
Provide operator training and fitness checks.
Install CCTV, rearview cameras, and alarms.
Ensure proper illumination as per DGMS Circular 09/2014.

An effective implementation of TMP and operator discipline ensures safe and efficient mine transport operations.

🎯 25 MCQs – Trackless Machinery Accidents (DGMS Focus)

Q1. Trackless machinery means:

Solution: Trackless refers to vehicles that do not run on fixed tracks, typically using rubber tyres.

Q2. DGMS Circular for HEMM safety:

Solution: Circular 02/2010 specifically addresses safety in the use of Heavy Earth Moving Machinery (HEMM).

Q3. DGMS Circular for illumination:

Solution: Circular 09/2014 provides guidelines for traffic management and illumination standards.

Q4. TMP stands for:

Solution: TMP is the standard abbreviation for Traffic Management Plan in mining.

Q5. Reg. for transport of material:

Solution: Regulation 96 of CMR 2017 deals with the safe transport of men and materials.

Q6. Main cause of dumper accidents:

Solution: Over-speeding, especially on gradients, is frequently cited as a major cause of dumper accidents.

Q7. Common accident area:

Solution: Haul roads are where most vehicle movements and interactions occur, making them high-risk areas.

Q9. Seat belt use is:

Solution: Seat belt usage is compulsory for HEMM operators to prevent ejection during rollovers or collisions.

Q10. DGMS mandates driver fitness under:

Solution: The Mines Rules, 1955 contain provisions related to the medical examination and fitness of mine workers, including drivers/operators.

Q11. Illumination requirement for haul roads is in:

Solution: Circular 09/2014 specifically addresses traffic management and illumination standards.

Q12. Mixed traffic risk can be reduced by:

Solution: Segregating heavy machinery from light vehicles using separate lanes or routes minimizes collision risks.

Q13. Safe reversing requires:

Solution: Due to blind spots, reversing large machines safely requires technological aids like cameras or human assistance (spotter/signaler).

Q14. Brake failure results in:

Solution: Failure of brakes, especially on gradients, leads to loss of control and runaway vehicles.

Q15. Night shift accident cause:

Solution: Inadequate lighting significantly increases risks during night shifts by reducing visibility.

Q16. TMP must be prepared by:

Solution: The Mine Manager is responsible for the preparation and implementation of the Traffic Management Plan.

Q17. Reversing accidents can be avoided by:

Solution: Rearview cameras and audible reverse alarms are key technological aids to prevent reversing accidents.

Q18. Vehicle maintenance log required:

Solution: Daily pre-shift checks and their logging are standard requirements for HEMM.

Q19. DGMS recommends speed limit signs at:

Solution: Clear signage indicating speed limits is essential for traffic control on haul roads.

Q20. Operator fatigue monitored by:

Solution: Modern systems use technology like GPS and in-cab monitoring to detect signs of operator fatigue.

Q21. Fatal accidents mostly caused by:

Solution: Due to their size, speed, and frequency of movement, dumpers and tippers are involved in a high proportion of serious accidents.

Q22. DGMS mandates:

Solution: Periodic Traffic Safety Audits are recommended or mandated by DGMS to review and improve traffic management.

Q23. Over-speeding detected using:

Solution: Speed radar guns are commonly used to monitor vehicle speeds on haul roads.

Q24. TMP is part of:

Solution: The Traffic Management Plan is a key component of the overall Safety Management Plan (SMP) for a mine.

Q25. Objective of TMP:

Solution: The primary goal of a TMP is to prevent vehicle-related accidents, aiming for zero collisions.

🔗 INTERNAL LINKING SUGGESTIONS

Related Topic	Read More On...
Opencast Safety	Small Opencast Manager Appointment
HEMM Safety	Safety Features in Crawler/Tyre Mounted Machinery
Illumination	Standards of Illumination in Opencast Mines
Safety Management	Integrated Safety Management Plan (SMP)

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Accidents Due to Wheeled Trackless Machinery During 2014 – DGMS Report, Causes & Prevention

🚜 DETAILED NOTES

1️⃣ Introduction

2️⃣ DGMS Findings (2014)

3️⃣ Legal & DGMS Provisions

4️⃣ Causes of Trackless Machinery Accidents

5️⃣ Preventive Measures

6️⃣ DGMS Recommendations

7️⃣ Learning from DGMS 2014 Analysis

⚡ QUICK ONE-LINERS

🧠 DESCRIPTIVE MODEL QUESTION & ANSWER

🎯 25 MCQs – Trackless Machinery Accidents (DGMS Focus)

🔗 INTERNAL LINKING SUGGESTIONS

🚜 Master Trackless Machinery Safety for DGMS Exams!

OUR COURSES View More

📚 Daily Quiz • DGMS Prep

Accidents Due to Wheeled Trackless Machinery During 2014 – DGMS Report, Causes & Prevention

🚜 DETAILED NOTES

1️⃣ Introduction

2️⃣ DGMS Findings (2014)

3️⃣ Legal & DGMS Provisions

4️⃣ Causes of Trackless Machinery Accidents

5️⃣ Preventive Measures

6️⃣ DGMS Recommendations

7️⃣ Learning from DGMS 2014 Analysis

⚡ QUICK ONE-LINERS

🧠 DESCRIPTIVE MODEL QUESTION & ANSWER

🎯 25 MCQs – Trackless Machinery Accidents (DGMS Focus)

🔗 INTERNAL LINKING SUGGESTIONS

🚜 Master Trackless Machinery Safety for DGMS Exams!

OUR COURSES View More

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