📘 Introduction 

 In underground mining, accidents like explosions, fires, and gas leaks require immediate rescue operations. To handle such emergencies, the Government of India introduced the 

Mines Rescue Rules, 1985. These rules ensure that trained manpower, proper equipment, and rescue stations/rooms are always available. For DGMS exams, many questions are directly asked from this rule.

 Let’s learn it in simple language with key points, one-liners, and practice MCQs.

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📑  Mines Rescue Rules, 1985 

  1. Applicability & Enforcement

• Came into force: 2 April 1985.
• Made under Mines Act, 1952 (Section 58).
• Applies only to below-ground mines.
• Repealed Coal Mines Rescue Rules, 1959.

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2. Rescue Stations

• Each station must have:
• 1 Superintendent (1st Class Manager’s Cert. UG + 5 yrs UG exp + rescue trained).
• At least 2 Instructors.
• At least 18 rescue trained persons.
• Functions: Training, refresher courses, equipment maintenance, emergency support.

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3. Rescue Rooms

• Needed when:
• 100 persons underground & no rescue station within 35 km.
• In fiery/gassy seams (Degree II/III) → compulsory, irrespective of manpower.
• Always 1 trained person on duty.
• In-charge must be rescue trained + 3 yrs UG exp + Manager/Overman/Foreman cert.

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4. Rescue Equipment

• Station (Schedule I): 54 × 2-hr SCBA, resuscitators, oxygen pumps, safety lamps, detectors, self-rescuers.
• Rescue room (Schedule II): Smaller set.
• Mine entrance (Schedule III): Self-rescuers, lamps, detectors.
• Equipment must be DGMS approved.

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5. Organisation in Mines

• Mines >100 UG persons → at least 5 rescue trained persons always on surface.
• Mines >500 persons → 1 rescue trained per 100 persons.
• Telephone/wireless communication with rescue room/station is compulsory.
• Rescue tracings (ventilation, fire-fighting, dams, haulage roads) must be updated every 3 months.

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6. Training & Medical Exam

• Age: 21–30 years.
• Must hold valid first-aid certificate (St. John Ambulance).
• Annual medical examination mandatory.
• Refresher training every year.

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7. Conduct of Rescue Work

• Manager must: Inform rescue station, call trained persons, arrange medical aid, notify DGMS.
• Rescue team: 5–6 members including leader.
• Leader: Appointed by Superintendent, checks SCBA, records oxygen pressure every 20 mins.
• Max work time: 1.5 hours in irrespirable atmosphere.
• Fresh air base must be established near unsafe zone.

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8. Miscellaneous Provisions

• Chief/Regional Inspector can inspect rescue stations/rooms.
• Chief Inspector can relax rules in special cases.
• Cost of borrowed rescue services → paid by mine owner.
• Form I: Appointment of Superintendent.
• Form II: Accident notice.

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🔑 Quick One-Liners for Revision

1. Mines Rescue Rules enforced on 2 April 1985.
2. Apply only to below-ground mines.
3. Rescue station → 1 Superintendent, 2 Instructors, 18 trained persons.
4. Superintendent must hold 1st Class Manager’s Certificate (UG).
5. Rescue room needed if >100 persons & no station within 35 km.
6. Fiery/gassy seam → rescue room compulsory.
7. Rescue room in-charge → Manager/Overman/Foreman cert. + rescue trained.
8. Mines >100 persons UG → ≥5 rescue trained on surface.
9. Mines >500 persons → 1 trained per 100.
10. Rescue team size → 5–6 persons.
11. Max rescue time → 1.5 hours.
12. Oxygen pressure recorded every 20 mins.
13. Age for rescue trainees → 21–30 years.
14. Annual medical exam compulsory.
15. Coal Mines Rescue Rules, 1959 repealed.

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📝 Practice MCQs

Q1. Mines Rescue Rules, 1985 apply to:
A) All mines
B) Opencast mines only
C) Below-ground mines only
D) Coal mines only
E) Metalliferous mines only 

  Answer: C
Solution: Rule 1(2) – Applicable only to below-ground mines.

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Q2. Minimum trained persons required at a rescue station:
A) 10
B) 12
C) 18
D) 20
E) 25 

  Answer: C
Solution: Rule 3(2) – At least 18 trained persons.

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Q3. Age limit for selection of rescue trainees:
A) 18–25 years
B) 20–35 years
C) 21–30 years
D) 22–32 years
E) No limit 

  Answer: C
Solution: Rule 20 – 21–30 years with first-aid certificate.

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Q4. Who appoints leader of rescue team?
A) Manager
B) Regional Inspector
C) Superintendent
D) Safety Officer
E) Team members 

  Answer: C
Solution: Rule 28 – Superintendent appoints leader.

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Q5. Max time in irrespirable atmosphere:
A) 30 mins
B) 1 hr
C) 1.5 hrs
D) 2 hrs
E) Unlimited 

  Answer: C
Solution: Rule 31 – 1.5 hours limit.

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🎯 Conclusion The Mines Rescue Rules, 1985 form a critical part of DGMS exam preparation. Most questions are direct – about rescue rooms, rescue stations, team size, training, equipment, and duties. By mastering these rules, you can easily score in law & safety-related questions.

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