Introduction
The Mines Rules, 1955 were framed under the Mines Act, 1952 to safeguard the health, welfare, and working conditions of mine workers. They prescribe medical examinations, working hours, rest intervals, canteen & welfare facilities, first-aid rooms, and training requirements. For DGMS exams, questions from Mines Rules are highly common, especially from health and welfare provisions and working hour limitations.
H2: Health Rules in Mines - Medical Examinations
- Pre-employment medical exam mandatory.
- Periodical medical check-ups (chest X-ray, lung function, eyesight, hearing).
- Workers unfit for hazardous work must be shifted to safer duties.
- First Aid & Medical Facilities
- First-aid room with stretchers, medicines, oxygen apparatus.
- Qualified medical staff required in larger mines.
- Ambulance service for quick evacuation.
- Hygiene
- Drinking water (potable, at safe locations).
- Washrooms and bathing facilities.
- Dust, fumes, and noise control mandated.
- Notified Diseases
- Mines Act recognizes silicosis, pneumoconiosis, asbestosis etc. as “notified diseases”.
- Employers must report every case to DGMS.
H2: Working Hour Provisions - Adults
- Maximum: 48 hours per week.
- Daily: 9 hours per shift.
- Rest: Half-hour break after 5 hours.
- Night shifts: No worker to work two consecutive night shifts.
- Women
- Working hours: 6 AM to 7 PM only.
- Restricted from night shifts in underground mines.
- Young persons (15–18 years)
- Certificate of fitness required.
- Limited working hours (maximum 4.5–6 hours depending on rules).
- Overtime
- Permitted with compensation.
- Total hours (including OT) not to exceed prescribed weekly maximum.
H3: DGMS Exam Focus Areas - Definitions: “Adult”, “Child”, “Young Person”.
- Weekly & daily hour limits.
- Special restrictions for women & young workers.
- Medical examination requirements.
- First aid & welfare facilities.
- Reporting of notified diseases.
Quick One-Liners (Revision) - Mines Rules, 1955 → framed under Mines Act, 1952.
- Adult: 48 hrs/week, 9 hrs/day max.
- Rest interval: 30 mins after 5 hrs.
- Women: No night work underground.
- Young persons: Fitness certificate required.
- First-aid room compulsory.
- Notified diseases → must be reported to DGMS.
📝 Descriptive Model Answer
Q: Explain provisions of Mines Rules, 1955 regarding health, working hours, and welfare of mine workers.
Answer: Mines Rules 1955 provide statutory safeguards for workers. Under health provisions, workers must undergo pre-employment and periodical medical examinations, with facilities such as first-aid rooms, ambulances, and potable drinking water. Notified diseases must be reported to DGMS. Working hours are limited to 9 hours per day and 48 per week for adults, with rest breaks after 5 hours. Women may work only between 6 AM and 7 PM, and young persons require certificates of fitness. Overtime is allowed with compensation but within legal limits. Thus, Mines Rules 1955 ensure worker health, fair working hours, and welfare facilities, aligning safety with productivity.
🎯 25 MCQs – Mines Rules 1955 (Health, Working Hours & Welfare)
Q1 Mines Rules, 1955 were framed under:
A. Factories Act
B. Mines Act, 1952
C. Labour Act
D. Safety Act
E. None
Answer: B.
Solution: Mines Rules framed under Mines Act, 1952.
Q2 Maximum daily working hours for an adult in a mine:
A. 8 hrs
B. 9 hrs
C. 10 hrs
D. 12 hrs
E. 6 hrs
Answer: B.
Solution: Daily maximum = 9 hrs.
Q3 Weekly working hours for adults:
A. 36 hrs
B. 40 hrs
C. 48 hrs
D. 56 hrs
E. 60 hrs
Answer: C.
Solution: Adults = 48 hrs/week.
Q4 Minimum rest interval after continuous work:
A. 15 minutes
B. 20 minutes
C. 30 minutes
D. 45 minutes
E. 60 minutes
Answer: C.
Solution: 30 min after 5 hrs continuous work.
Q5 Women in mines can work:
A. Any time
B. Only between 6 AM and 7 PM
C. Only night shifts
D. 24 hrs
E. None
Answer: B.
Solution: Restricted to day hours.
Q6 Young persons allowed in mines must:
A. Be above 21 yrs
B. Have certificate of fitness
C. Work unlimited hours
D. Work night shifts
E. None
Answer: B.
Solution: Must hold fitness certificate.
Q7 Maximum daily hours for young persons:
A. 4 hrs
B. 4.5–6 hrs depending on rules
C. 7 hrs
D. 9 hrs
E. 10 hrs
Answer: B.
Solution: Restricted between 4.5–6 hrs.
Q8 Pre-employment medical exam is:
A. Optional
B. Mandatory
C. For managers only
D. Only for women
E. None
Answer: B.
Solution: Compulsory under Mines Rules.
Q9 Which is a notified disease under Mines Act?
A. Malaria
B. Pneumoconiosis
C. Typhoid
D. Dengue
E. Cholera
Answer: B.
Solution: Pneumoconiosis is notified.
Q10 Who must report notified diseases?
A. Worker
B. Contractor
C. Employer/Manager
D. DGMS Inspector
E. None
Answer: C.
Solution: Employer must notify DGMS.
Q11 First-aid room must include:
A. Computer
B. Medicines, stretcher, oxygen
C. Fan only
D. Rest chair only
E. None
Answer: B.
Solution: Fully equipped first-aid facility required.
Q12 Ambulance service is required for:
A. Small mines only
B. Large mines or where distance to hospital is long
C. Contractors only
D. Office workers
E. None
Answer: B.
Solution: Compulsory for larger or remote mines.
Q13 Potable water must be:
A. Supplied near workings & surface
B. Not required
C. Provided once a week
D. Supplied only to officers
E. None
Answer: A.
Solution: Drinking water must be safe and accessible.
Q14 Women cannot be employed in:
A. Opencast haul roads
B. Night shifts underground
C. Day shifts in surface mines
D. Canteen
E. None
Answer: B.
Solution: Prohibited in underground night work.
Q15 Young person = age group:
A. Below 14 yrs
B. 15–18 yrs
C. 18–21 yrs
D. Above 21 yrs
E. None
Answer: B.
Solution: Defined as 15–18 yrs.
Q16 Adult worker weekly limit:
A. 40 hrs
B. 44 hrs
C. 48 hrs
D. 52 hrs
E. None
Answer: C.
Solution: Max 48 hrs/week.
Q17 Overtime wages must be paid at:
A. Normal rate
B. Twice ordinary rate
C. Half rate
D. No rate
E. None
Answer: B.
Solution: Mines Rules: double wages for OT.
Q18 Who certifies medical unfitness for work?
A. Any worker
B. Qualified medical officer
C. Overman
D. Contractor
E. None
Answer: B.
Solution: Only medical officer can certify.
Q19 Canteen facilities must be provided in mines with:
A. 50 workers
B. 100 workers
C. 250 workers
D. 500 workers
E. 1000 workers
Answer: C.
Solution: Mines Rules mandate at 250+ workers.
Q20 Creche facilities required if mine employs:
A. 25+ women workers
B. 50+ women workers
C. 100+ women workers
D. None
E. Only surface mines
Answer: A.
Solution: Compulsory if 25+ women workers.
Q21 Rest shelter is mandatory in:
A. Surface mines with hot climate
B. Only underground
C. Only office
D. Not required
E. None
Answer: A.
Solution: Shelters required for worker welfare.
Q22 For overtime, total hours in a week must not exceed:
A. 48
B. 54
C. 60
D. 72
E. 80
Answer: C.
Solution: 60 hrs max including overtime.
Q23 Night shift ends when?
A. Before midnight
B. At or after 6 AM next day
C. Anytime
D. Noon only
E. None
Answer: B.
Solution: Legally ends at/after 6 AM.
Q24 Mines Rules mandate first-aid training for:
A. All workers
B. Select trained workers
C. Only officers
D. Only women
E. None
Answer: B.
Solution: A certain % of workers must be trained.
Q25 Purpose of Mines Rules, 1955:
A. Safety only
B. Health, working hours & welfare of workers
C. Geological surveys
D. Production targets
E. None
Answer: B.
Solution: Comprehensive welfare-focused rules.
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