Reportable Diseases under Section 25 of Mines Act 1952 – DGMS Guidelines + 25 MCQs

🧾 DETAILED NOTES

1️⃣ Introduction

Section 25 of the Mines Act, 1952 mandates that certain occupational diseases must be treated as reportable, meaning mine management must report them immediately to DGMS when detected or suspected. These diseases arise from exposure to dust, toxic fumes, chemicals, vibration, physical stress, and noise. Prompt reporting ensures early diagnosis, treatment, prevention of further exposure, and DGMS investigation.

2️⃣ What Are Reportable Diseases?

Reportable diseases are occupational illnesses that must be reported to DGMS when a worker is diagnosed or suspected to have them. These are notified under Section 25 of the Mines Act 1952, and Rule 29C of the Mines Rules 1955.

3️⃣ List of Reportable Diseases (as per DGMS)

Pneumoconiosis (Includes: Silicosis, Coal Workers’ Pneumoconiosis (CWP), Asbestosis)
Silico-tuberculosis (Combination of silicosis + tuberculosis)
Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL)
Occupational Dermatitis (from chemicals, oils, fuels, etc.)
Heat Stroke / Heat Stress Disorders
Toxic Gas Poisoning (from CO, H₂S, NOx, etc.)
Vibration-Induced Disorders (Hand-arm vibration syndrome - HAVS)
Occupational Asthma
Chemical Poisoning (Lead, mercury, cyanide, etc.)
Cancer Caused by Occupational Exposure (e.g., asbestos-related)

4️⃣ Notification Procedure under Section 25

When such a disease is detected or suspected:

Medical Officer examines and identifies symptoms.
Record findings in Form O / medical register.
Manager must notify DGMS in the prescribed format with medical report.
Inform the Inspector of Mines.
Worker must be removed from the hazardous exposure.
Follow DGMS investigation & directives.
Maintain all reports for life of worker + 10 years.

5️⃣ Responsibilities

Role	Responsibility
Mine Manager	Report cases immediately; Maintain medical and dust exposure records.
Medical Officer	Conduct PME/IME; Identify symptoms; Prepare official medical report.
Owner/Agent	Provide medical facilities; Support DGMS investigation.

⚡ QUICK ONE-LINERS

Section 25 – Reportable diseases.
Pneumoconiosis is the most common reportable disease.
DGMS must be notified immediately.
Manager responsible for reporting.
Form O used in medical documentation.
Silico-TB is reportable.
NIHL (Noise Induced Hearing Loss) included as reportable disease.
Heat stress cases must be notified.
Toxic gas poisoning is reportable.
Records kept for life + 10 years.

🧠 DESCRIPTIVE Q&A

Q. What are reportable diseases under Section 25 of the Mines Act, 1952, and how should they be notified?

Answer:
Section 25 of the Mines Act, 1952 mandates that certain occupational diseases must be reported to DGMS as soon as they are detected or suspected. These include pneumoconiosis, silicosis, NIHL, occupational dermatitis, toxic gas poisoning, silico-tuberculosis, and vibration-induced disorders. The Medical Officer must record the diagnosis, and the Mine Manager must notify DGMS using the prescribed format along with medical evidence. Follow-up investigation, removal of the worker from hazardous exposure, and maintenance of records are compulsory. This ensures legal compliance and protection of worker health.

🧮 25 MCQs (5 Options Each — Dynamic Answers)

Q1. Section 25 of the Mines Act deals with:

Solution: Section 25 specifically empowers the government to notify certain occupational diseases as 'reportable diseases' for the purpose of the Act.

Q2. A major reportable disease is:

Solution: Silicosis, a form of pneumoconiosis caused by silica dust, is one of the most well-known reportable occupational diseases in mining.

Q3. Reporting authority:

Solution: All reportable diseases under the Mines Act must be notified to the Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS).

Q4. Noise exposure may cause:

Solution: NIHL (Noise Induced Hearing Loss) is a reportable occupational disease caused by prolonged exposure to high noise levels.

Q5. Pneumoconiosis affects:

Solution: Pneumoconiosis is a chronic occupational lung disease caused by inhaling mineral dusts.

Q6. Reportable diseases must be:

Solution: The law requires immediate notification upon detection or suspicion to allow for prompt action.

Q7. Toxic gas poisoning includes:

Solution: Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning is a well-known occupational hazard in mines and is a reportable condition.

Q8. Silico-TB is:

Solution: Silico-tuberculosis is a condition where a person with silicosis develops a subsequent tuberculosis infection.

Q9. NIHL full form:

Solution: NIHL stands for Noise Induced Hearing Loss, a reportable occupational disease.

Q10. Occupational dermatitis is caused by:

Solution: Occupational dermatitis is a skin inflammation caused by contact with chemicals, oils, greases, or other irritants at work.

Q11. Chest X-ray needed for:

Solution: Chest X-ray is the primary diagnostic tool for identifying lung changes caused by pneumoconiosis.

Q12. Vibration causes:

Solution: HAVS (Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome) is a reportable disease caused by prolonged use of vibrating tools.

Q13. Manager must:

Solution: The Mine Manager has the statutory responsibility to ensure that DGMS is notified as per the rules.

Q14. Medical exams recorded in:

Solution: Form O is the standard "Report of Medical Examination" under the Mines Rules. Form P is the health register.

Q15. Diseases are reportable if:

Solution: The law requires reporting even if the disease is only 'suspected,' to ensure early investigation and intervention.

Q16. DGMS may:

Solution: Upon receiving notice, DGMS has the authority to conduct an inquiry or investigation into the cause and circumstances.

Q17. Heat stroke is:

Solution: Heat stroke and other heat stress disorders arising from occupational exposure are reportable conditions.

Q18. Chemical poisoning includes:

Solution: Poisoning by lead, mercury, or cyanide from industrial processes is a classic reportable occupational disease.

Q19. HAVS occurs due to:

Solution: Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) is caused by the prolonged use of vibrating hand tools (e.g., drills, jackhammers).

Q20. Occupational asthma caused by:

Solution: Inhaling sensitizing dusts (like coal dust, silica) or chemical fumes in the workplace can trigger occupational asthma.

Q21. Manager must remove worker from:

Solution: Once a disease is detected, the worker must be removed from the source of exposure to prevent the disease from worsening.

Q22. Investigation ensures:

Solution: The purpose of investigating a reported disease is to identify the cause and implement controls to prevent others from getting sick.

Q23. Mine records stored for:

Solution: Occupational health records must be kept for the duration of the worker's employment plus 10 years, due to the long latency of many diseases.

Q24. DGMS must receive:

Solution: The management is legally required to send a notification (intimation) of the reportable disease to DGMS.

Q25. Aim of reporting diseases:

Solution: The entire system of reporting is designed to protect the health of all workers by identifying and controlling occupational hazards.

🔗 INTERNAL LINKS

Related Topic	Read More On...
Health Survey	Occupational Health Survey (Dust) – DGMS Notes
Dust Diseases	Dust & Pneumoconiosis Prevention in Mines
Medical Forms	Medical Examination Formats (Form O & Others)
Health Surveillance	Occupational Health Surveillance Guide

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