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π 1. Safety in Mines β Introduction
Safety in mines is the foundation of sustainable mining. It involves the prevention of accidents, control of occupational hazards, and protection of health, life, and property of persons employed in or around a mine.
According to the Mines Act, 1952 (Section 18) and CMR 2017 / MMR 1961, the mine owner, agent, and manager have a statutory responsibility to ensure safety at every stage of operation β from planning and design to production and closure.
DGMS Vision: βTo attain risk and hazard-free conditions of work and welfare of persons employed in mines.β
βοΈ 2. Duty of Care in Mining
Meaning
βDuty of Careβ refers to the legal and moral obligation to take reasonable steps to prevent harm to persons, property, and the environment in and around the mine. It requires a proactive approach to identify, assess, and control risks before they cause injury or loss.
Key Aspects of Duty of Care
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Worker Safety | Providing a safe workplace, PPE, proper supervision, and competent personnel. |
| Health Protection | Controlling exposure to dust, fumes, gases, and noise; periodic medical examinations (Rule 29B, Mines Rules 1955). |
| Environmental Protection | Ensuring pollution control, waste management, and mine reclamation as per the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. |
| Community Well-being | Preventing displacement, water contamination, and maintaining liaison with nearby residents. |
| Legal Compliance | Observing all safety laws, standards, and DGMS circulars. |
Indian Legal Framework Supporting Duty of Care
| Law / Regulation | Key Provisions |
|---|---|
| Mines Act, 1952 | Health, safety, welfare of mine workers (Sec. 18β23). |
| Mines Rules, 1955 | Safety training, medical checkups, use of PPE, and health facilities. |
| Mines Rescue Rules, 1985 | Establishment and training of rescue teams for emergencies. |
| Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 | Environmental clearance, waste management, emission standards. |
| OSHWC Code, 2020 | Consolidated labour code emphasizing workplace safety. |
| Indian Penal Code, 1860 (Sec. 304A) | Punishment for negligence leading to death. |
Consequences of Failure
- Legal prosecution under Mines Act and IPC.
- Suspension or cancellation of mining lease.
- Financial penalty by DGMS.
- Loss of reputation and worker morale.
βοΈ 3. Occupational Hazards of Mining
DGMS classifies occupational risks as physical, chemical, biological, ergonomic, psychosocial, and thermal hazards.
- Physical Hazards: Rockfalls & Mine Collapses, Explosions, Noise (>85 dB(A)), Dust Exposure, Radiation, Vibration.
- Chemical Hazards: Toxic gases (CO, NOβ, SOβ), Heavy metals (Mercury, lead), Asbestos.
- Biological Hazards: Fungi, bacteria, and vector-borne diseases (malaria, dengue).
- Ergonomic Hazards: Prolonged bending, lifting, and awkward postures leading to musculoskeletal disorders.
- Psychosocial Hazards: Isolation, long shifts, and job insecurity causing stress and fatigue.
- Thermal Hazards: Heat stress in deep mines and hypothermia in high-altitude mines.
Control Measures
- Regular ventilation, dust suppression, HIRA.
- Rotation of workers and rest pauses.
- Safety training (Reg. 142β145, CMR 2017).
- Adequate PPE and health surveillance (Rule 29B).
𧩠4. Safety and Health Management System (SHMS)
A structured and systematic approach for continuous improvement in safety.
Core Elements:
- Management Commitment and Policy
- Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (HIRA)
- Worker Competency and Training
- Incident Reporting and Investigation
- Emergency Response Planning
- Workplace Inspections & Risk Control
- SHMS Administration, Audit, and Review
DGMS Circular 18 of 1975 and Technical Circular 1 of 2009 mandate SHMS in large mines.
π¨ 5. Classification of Accidents
| Type | Criteria |
|---|---|
| Minor | Absence >24 hrs but <72 hrs |
| Reportable | Absence >72 hrs (CMR Reg. 9(1)) |
| Serious | Permanent loss of limb, sight, etc. |
| Fatal | 1β3 deaths |
| Major | 4β9 deaths |
| Disaster | β₯10 deaths |
π 6. Frequency & Severity Rates
(A) Frequency Rate (FR)
$$ FR = \frac{\text{Number of Injuries} \times 100,000}{\text{Total Man-shifts Worked}} $$
(B) Severity Index (SI)
$$ SI = \frac{(50F + S) \times 10^5}{\text{Man-shifts Worked}} $$
If SI > 12 β Accident-prone mine
DGMS Safety Studies:
- SAPICOM: Survey of Accident-Prone Mines and Corrective Measures.
- SOMA: Survey of Mine Accidents.
π 7. Dealing with Accidents & Emergencies
Emergency Response Planning (ERP)
Made mandatory after the 1985 Amendment in CMR & MMR. Steps include:
- Identify Key Risks (Fire, inundation, etc.)
- Establish Command Structure
- Form Emergency Team
- Create Evacuation Plan & Muster Points
- Conduct Mock Drills (Rule 44A, Mines Rules)
- Perform Post-Incident Review
π§ 8. Accident Investigation
Objectives are to establish facts, identify root causes, and recommend preventive measures, not to assign blame.
Managerβs Duties (Rule 23, Mines Rules 1955):
- Visit site immediately.
- Conduct inquiry personally.
- Record findings in a bound-paged book with plans/photos.
- Send notices (Form IV-A, IV-B) to DGMS.
βοΈ 9. Key Concepts & Committees
TRAP & SMP
TRAP: Take Responsibility in Accident Prevention.
SMP: Safety Management Plan, a framework integrating HIRA, SOPs, and risk control.
IT & ISO in Safety
IT: Digital monitoring, AI-based hazard mapping, IoT sensors.
ISO Standards: ISO 45001 (Safety) & ISO 14001 (Environment).
Safety Committees
Tripartite: DGMS + Management + Union.
Bipartite: Management + Workers. Promotes participative safety.
π§ Quick One-Liners for Revision
- Duty of care = Legal + moral obligation for mine safety.
- HAVS is caused by vibrating tools.
- Major accident β 4β9 deaths; Disaster β β₯10 deaths.
- Severity Index >12 β Accident-prone mine.
- ERP mandatory since 1985; SHMS has 8 core elements.
- ISO 45001 β Safety Management Certification.
π Descriptive Model Answer
Q: Explain βOccupational Hazards in Miningβ and outline measures to minimize them.
Answer: Mining workers face multiple occupational hazardsβphysical, chemical, biological, ergonomic, and psychosocial. Preventive measures include: adequate ventilation and dust suppression, proper PPE and training, periodic health check-ups (Rule 29B), safety audits, and the implementation of a robust SHMS/SMP.
π MCQ Knowledge Test
Score: 0 / 20
π Further Reading & Links
Internal Linking Suggestions
External Resources
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