Periodic Medical Examination of Mine Workers Above 60 Years – DGMS Circular, Rules & 25 MCQs

🧾 DETAILED NOTES

1️⃣ Introduction

Mining is a physically demanding occupation involving risk, heat, noise, dust, and strenuous activity. Employees above 60 years of age require periodic health examinations to ensure that they are medically fit for their assigned duties. This requirement is governed by DGMS guidelines and The Mines Rules, 1955.

2️⃣ Legal Framework

Reference	Description
Mines Rules, 1955 – Rule 29B	Periodic medical examination of workers employed in mines.
DGMS Circular (Medical) 1 of 1986	Medical examination of workers above 60 years of age.
The Mines Act, 1952 – Sec. 23	Health and safety of persons employed in mines.
CMR 2017 – Reg. 123	Fitness of persons employed belowground.
ILO Convention No. 176	Health and safety in mines – international standards.

3️⃣ DGMS Guidelines

Every employee who has attained the age of 60 years shall be medically examined periodically.

The examination must be conducted by a qualified medical officer approved by DGMS.
Frequency of examination: Once every year after the age of 60.
Scope of examination: General physical examination, Cardiovascular fitness, Vision and hearing, Respiratory function and chest X-ray, Blood pressure, sugar, ECG, etc.
If found unfit, the employee shall not be assigned duties in operational or hazardous zones.

4️⃣ Purpose of Periodic Examination

To ensure the health and physical capacity of aged employees.
To prevent accidents due to reduced reflexes or poor vision.
To maintain safe working efficiency in mines.
To identify early signs of occupational diseases like pneumoconiosis, silicosis, or hearing loss.

5️⃣ Procedure

The mine manager prepares a list of employees aged 60 and above.
The employees are examined by the company’s medical officer or DGMS-approved doctor.
Medical reports are recorded in Form M as per Mines Rules, 1955.
Copies of medical fitness certificates are kept in the mine office.
Unfit workers may be shifted to non-hazardous or supervisory duties.

6️⃣ Responsibilities

Official	Responsibility
Manager	Ensures compliance and scheduling of examination.
Medical Officer	Conducts examination and certifies fitness.
Agent/Owner	Maintains record and ensures no unfit person works underground.
DGMS	Supervises and audits medical fitness records during inspections.

7️⃣ Record Maintenance

Maintain register of employees above 60 years.
Record date of examination, medical officer’s name, and result.
Keep certificates for DGMS verification.
Display compliance status during safety audits.

8️⃣ Case Example

In 2022, during a DGMS inspection at a metal mine, three workers above 60 years were found working without annual medical examination. DGMS directed the management to suspend them temporarily and conduct fitness checks, emphasizing strict compliance with Rule 29B of the Mines Rules, 1955.

⚙️ QUICK ONE-LINERS (Revision Points)

Rule 29B – Mines Rules, 1955: Periodic examination of mine workers.
DGMS Circular 1/1986: Annual medical check for employees above 60 years.
Fitness certificate valid for 12 months only.
Conducted by DGMS-approved medical officer.
Covers vision, hearing, ECG, BP, chest X-ray.
Unfit persons to be transferred to surface or non-hazardous work.
Manager responsible for maintaining records.
Form M – used for recording medical fitness.
Non-compliance punishable under Mines Act Section 72.
Promotes health, safety, and efficiency of aged workers.

🧩 DESCRIPTIVE MODEL QUESTION

Q. Explain the DGMS requirement for periodic examination of mining employees above 60 years of age.

Answer:
As per Rule 29B of the Mines Rules, 1955 and DGMS Circular (Medical) 1/1986, all mine employees who have attained 60 years of age must undergo an annual medical examination to determine their fitness for duty. The examination should be carried out by a DGMS-approved medical officer, covering cardiovascular, respiratory, vision, and general health aspects. The result is recorded in Form M, and a certificate of fitness is issued for one year. Unfit employees must not work underground or in hazardous areas. This ensures safe mining operations and compliance with DGMS health and safety regulations.

🧮 25 DGMS-Based MCQs (5 Options Each)

Q1. Rule governing medical examination of mine employees:

Solution: Rule 29B of the Mines Rules, 1955, specifically deals with the Periodic Medical Examination (PME) of persons employed in mines.

Q2. DGMS Circular related to employees above 60 years:

Solution: DGMS (Medical) Circular 1 of 1986 outlines the specific requirement for annual medical examinations for employees above 60 years.

Q3. Frequency of medical examination after 60 years:

Solution: The frequency increases to once every year (annually) for employees who have attained the age of 60 years.

Q4. Medical examination is conducted by:

Solution: The examination must be conducted by a qualified medical officer or practitioner who is approved/authorized by DGMS.

Q5. Fitness certificate validity:

Solution: For workers above 60, the medical examination is annual, so the fitness certificate is valid for 1 year.

Q6. The Mines Act section dealing with health and safety:

Solution: Section 23 (Notice of Accidents) is part of Chapter IV - Health and Safety. This is a bit broad; Sec 21 & 22 are more direct, but Sec 23 is also under the same chapter. (Note: This is based on the user's provided text, which listed Sec 23).

Q7. Form used for medical record:

Solution: Form M is the standard medical certificate form prescribed under the Mines Rules, 1955.

Q8. If employee found unfit, management must:

Solution: A person found medically unfit must not be employed in a hazardous zone; they should be moved to a suitable, safe duty.

Q9. Periodic exam ensures:

Solution: The primary purpose of the medical exam is to ensure the continued health of the worker and their safety at work.

Q10. DGMS-approved doctor qualification:

Solution: A medical officer for a mine must be a qualified practitioner (MBBS) and often requires additional training in occupational health.

Q11. Examination includes:

Solution: A comprehensive exam for aged workers includes all these tests to check cardiac, respiratory, and sensory fitness.

Q12. Manager’s role is to:

Solution: The Manager is responsible for the complete execution of this rule: scheduling exams, keeping records, and ensuring compliance.

Q13. DGMS may verify records during:

Solution: DGMS inspectors can ask for statutory medical records at any time during any form of inspection or inquiry.

Q14. Rule 29B applies to:

Solution: The rule applies to "persons employed in a mine," which covers all employees on the mine's roll.

Q15. Failure to comply leads to:

Solution: Non-compliance with statutory rules can lead to any of these penalties from DGMS, including prosecution.

Q16. Annual examination ensures prevention of:

Solution: The exam helps in early detection of diseases, prevents accidents from physical unfitness, and identifies fatigue-related issues.

Q17. Medical report kept in:

Solution: A copy of the fitness certificate (Form M) must be maintained in the mine office register for inspection.

Q18. Fitness certificate signed by:

Solution: Only the authorized medical officer who conducted the examination can sign the fitness certificate.

Q19. Workers above 60 must not:

Solution: They cannot continue working in the mine unless they are certified fit by the annual medical checkup.

Q20. Primary benefit of medical examination:

Solution: It ensures worker health (B), meets legal requirements (C), and leads to better attendance and safety (A).

Q21. Record of medical test retained for:

Solution: Medical records are important statutory documents, often required to be kept for several years (e.g., 5 years after employment ends or as specified). (Note: 40 years is for OHS register Form P).

Q22. DGMS Circular (Medical) issued in:

Solution: DGMS Circular (Medical) 1 of 1986 is the key circular addressing this issue.

Q23. Medical officer must have:

Solution: The doctor performing statutory examinations must be authorized or approved by DGMS.

Q24. Examinations help identify:

Solution: Periodic medical exams are designed to detect all forms of occupational diseases, including these common ones.

Q25. DGMS ensures compliance through:

A. Circulars B. Inspections C. Prosecutions E. None

Solution: DGMS uses all these methods: issuing circulars (guidance), conducting inspections (audits), and prosecuting non-compliance (enforcement).

🔗 INTERNAL LINKS

Related Topic	Read More On...
Health Rules	Medical Re-examination by Appellate Board - Rule 29K
Occupational Health	Occupational Health Surveillance in Mines
Mines Act	Mines Act, 1952 Simplified - Key Provisions
Health & Welfare	Behavioural Safety, Health & Welfare Notes

Study authentic DGMS notes & MCQs on Periodic Examination of Employees above 60 years at Online Mining Exam – India’s 1st Online Mining Academy.

Mines Rules 1955 Health & Welfare Notes
DGMS Occupational Disease Guidelines
5000+ Topic-wise MCQs

🌐 Visit: www.onlineminingexam.com
📞 Call/WhatsApp: 9971114020

Download DGMS Medical Re-exam Notes

Online Mining Exam