📘 Notified Diseases

📘 Notified Diseases under the Mines Act, 1952 – Detailed Notes 1. Legal Basis

• Mines Act, 1952 – Section 25
• 25(1): If a mine worker contracts a notified disease, the owner, agent, or manager must notify authorities within 3 days in the prescribed form.
• 25(2): Any medical practitioner treating a mine worker with a notified disease must also report it to DGMS → independent duty.
• Regulation 10 of MMR, 1961 and CMR provisions:
• Reinforce 3-day reporting obligation.
• Prescribe Form V for reporting.
• Notices to be sent to Chief Inspector/Director General, Regional Inspector, and Inspector of Mines (Medical).

2. List of Notified Diseases & Gazette References 3. DGMS Circular Guidance

• DGMS (Legis) Circular No. 1 of 2006:
• Found poor compliance with disease reporting.
• Directed immediate reporting of all detected cases to build a national database.
• Noted non-reporting even by PSUs.
• DGMS FAQs and compilations list all eight diseases with Gazette numbers for ready reference.

4. Statutory Reporting and Forms

• Form V:
• Used for each notified disease.
• Contains name, occupation, location, diagnosis, particulars.
• Registers: Must be maintained and available for DGMS inspection.
• Timelines: Report within 3 days of knowledge of disease.
• Parallel Duties: Both employer and attending doctor must notify.

5. Medical Surveillance Expectations

• Dust diseases (silicosis, pneumoconiosis, asbestosis):
• Periodic medical exams.
• Dust monitoring programs.
• Preventive measures: wet drilling, dust suppression, local exhaust ventilation, water sprays, prohibition of dry drilling.
• Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL):
• Engineering noise control → Administrative measures → Hearing protection (PPE).
• Audiometric testing for early detection (look for 4 kHz notch).
• Manganese poisoning:
• Dust exposure control.
• Neurological testing and surveillance.
• Chemical dermatitis:
• PPE (gloves, barrier creams).
• Training in safe handling.
• Radiation hazards:
• Dosimeters, shielding, ALARA principle.
• Surveillance for blood/bone changes.

6. Prevention and Control

• Engineering Controls: Wet drilling, dust suppression, noise enclosures, radiation shielding.
• Administrative Controls: Rotation of workers, limiting exposure hours, health surveillance.
• Personal Protection: Respirators, earplugs/earmuffs, protective clothing, gloves.

7. Display, Training, and Awareness

• Display list of notified diseases in conspicuous places in mines.
• Train managers, supervisors, and medical officers on recognition and prompt reporting.
• Conduct awareness programs for workers on occupational hazards.

8. Exam Pointers (DGMS Style)

• List all 8 diseases with Gazette references and causes.
• Explain reporting duties under Section 25(1) & (2) (3-day limit, employer & doctor both responsible).
• Mention Regulation 10 (MMR 1961/CMR) & Form V reporting.
• Refer DGMS Circular 1 of 2006 stressing compliance.
• Describe prevention and surveillance measures (silicosis → wet drilling; NIHL → noise hierarchy).
• Quote PPV style exam answers: “Silicosis — S.R.O. 1306, caused by silica dust, lungs affected.”

Q1. Which of the following diseases was first notified under S.R.O. 1306, dated 21 July 1952?
A) Asbestosis
B) Noise Induced Hearing Loss
C) Silicosis
D) Contact Dermatitis
E) Radiation-related manifestations ✅ Answer: C) Silicosis
Solution: Silicosis and Coal Workers’ Pneumoconiosis were notified in 1952. Q2. Coal workers’ pneumoconiosis is caused by:
A) Respirable silica dust
B) Coal dust exposure
C) Asbestos fibers
D) Excessive noise
E) Manganese fume inhalation ✅ Answer: B) Coal dust exposure
Solution: Pneumoconiosis (CWP) is lung fibrosis caused by inhaling coal dust. Q3. Manganese poisoning (nervous type) was notified under which Gazette?
A) S.R.O. 1306 (1952)
B) S.R.O. 3109 (1956)
C) S.O. 2521 (1986)
D) S.O. 399(E) (2011)
E) None of the above ✅ Answer: B) S.R.O. 3109 (1956)
Solution: Notified on 18 December 1956 for manganese dust exposure. Q4. Asbestosis affects which organ system primarily?
A) Nervous system
B) Cardiovascular system
C) Skin
D) Lungs
E) Eyes ✅ Answer: D) Lungs
Solution: Asbestosis is lung fibrosis due to asbestos fibers. Q5. Which of the following diseases was notified in 2011 under S.O. 399(E)?
A) Silicosis
B) Asbestosis
C) NIHL
D) Pneumoconiosis
E) Manganese poisoning ✅ Answer: C) NIHL
Solution: NIHL, contact dermatitis, and radiation manifestations were added in 2011. Q6. Mesothelioma (cancers of pleura and peritoneum) is linked with:
A) Coal dust
B) Asbestos fibers
C) Silica dust
D) Manganese dust
E) Lead fumes ✅ Answer: B) Asbestos fibers
Solution: Asbestos exposure causes asbestosis and mesothelioma. Q7. Statutory reporting of notified diseases under Section 25 must be done within:
A) 24 hours
B) 48 hours
C) 3 days
D) 7 days
E) 15 days ✅ Answer: C) 3 days
Solution: Mines Act requires notification within 3 days of information. Q8. Who has a statutory duty to notify DGMS of a notified disease case?
A) Only mine manager
B) Only medical officer
C) Both employer and attending medical practitioner
D) Only safety officer
E) Only worker union representative ✅ Answer: C) Both employer and attending medical practitioner
Solution: Section 25(1) → employer; 25(2) → medical practitioner. Q9. Which DGMS circular emphasized poor compliance in disease reporting?
A) Circular 2 of 2005
B) Circular 1 of 2006
C) Circular 3 of 2010
D) Circular 4 of 2012
E) Circular 5 of 2015 ✅ Answer: B) Circular 1 of 2006
Solution: Highlighted non-reporting and directed strict compliance. Q10. The prescribed reporting form for notified diseases is:
A) Form I
B) Form IV
C) Form V
D) Form VIII
E) None ✅ Answer: C) Form V
Solution: Regulation 10 of MMR requires use of Form V. Q11. Noise Induced Hearing Loss is characterized by:
A) Conductive hearing loss at low frequencies
B) Sensorineural high-frequency bilateral loss
C) Single ear hearing loss only
D) Hearing loss reversible with rest
E) Middle ear infection ✅ Answer: B) Sensorineural high-frequency bilateral loss
Solution: NIHL typically causes a notch at 4 kHz in audiograms. Q12. Which preventive measure is most relevant for silicosis control?
A) Ear muffs
B) Wet drilling and dust suppression
C) Lead aprons
D) Barrier creams
E) Radiation dosimeters ✅ Answer: B) Wet drilling and dust suppression
Solution: Silicosis prevention = dust suppression and respirators. Q13. Contact dermatitis in mines is due to:
A) Asbestos exposure
B) Silica exposure
C) Direct contact with chemicals
D) Noise exposure
E) Coal dust exposure ✅ Answer: C) Direct contact with chemicals
Solution: Dermatitis arises from chemical irritants and sensitizers. Q14. Pathological manifestations due to radioactive substances were notified in:
A) 1952
B) 1956
C) 1986
D) 2011
E) 2015 ✅ Answer: D) 2011
Solution: Included in S.O. 399(E), 21 Feb 2011. Q15. Failure to notify a notified disease within prescribed time is:
A) Advisory only
B) Civil offense only
C) Statutory breach under Mines Act
D) Allowed if medically complicated
E) Optional under manager’s discretion ✅ Answer: C) Statutory breach under Mines Act
Solution: Non-reporting is a punishable breach of Section 25.