Lok Sabha Question No. 1569 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-26
Subject: Mine Safety Measures
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: LAXMAN GILUWA, RAM TAHAL CHOUDHARY, LAXMI NARAYAN YADAV

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1569

TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.07.2018

## MINE SAFETY MEASURES

†1569. SHRI LAXMAN GILUWA: SHRI RAM TAHAL CHOUDHARY: SHRI LAXMI NARAYAN YADAV:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

- (a) the names of the companies in which inspection of mine safety measures has been conducted by the Government during the last year;
- (b) the  names of the  companies in  which  irregularities  were  found  in  this  regard along with the action taken against them indicating the nature of the action;
- (c) whether the Government has failed to enforce mine safety measures as a result of which several accidents have taken place and are still taking place;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
- (e) the corrective steps taken/to be taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINES AND COAL (SHRI HARIBHAI PARTHIBHAI CHAUDHARY)

(a)  and  (b):    Safety  in  mines  is  regulated  through  the  Mines  Act,  1952  which  is administered by the Ministry of Labour & Employment, the provisions of which are enforced  by  the  Directorate  General  of  Mines  Safety  (DGMS).  As  per  information provided  by  DGMS, 2549 inspections of mine safety measures were made during the  year  2017-18  (up  to  March,  2018)  and  the  violation  letters  were  issued subsequently. The list of company-wise mines inspected is maintained in DGMS.

(c)  to  (e):  No,  Madam.  In  order  to prevent accidents and disasters in mines and to ensure safety of the mine workers, adequate provisions have been made under the Mines Act, 1952 and Rules made thereunder.  The provisions for ensuring safety are implemented in mines wherever such dangers and risks exist. A systematic risk and hazard  assessment  both  by  the  management  as  well  as  by  third  party  is  being conducted. The results of such studies are being followed up during the inspections of such mines by the officers of DGMS.

Further, the following steps are also taken/being taken by the Government to prevent re-occurrence of accidents in future:

- (i) To  promote  and  propagate  safety  awareness  in  mines,  National  Safety Awards (Mines), National Conference on Safety in Mines are  organized by DGMS. National  Conference  on  Safety  in  Mines  enhances  safety  of  mine workers.

(ii) Workers  participation  and  sensitization  in  matters  of  safety  are  ensured through training in safety and by initiatives like celebration of safety week and safety campaigns, etc. (iii)  Safety training programmes are organized among Managers and Supervisors for improving safety standards in mines. (iv)  Introduction  of  Risk  Assessment  Techniques  and  preparation  of  safety management  plan  aimed  at  elimination  of  risks  and  to  ensure  safety  of workmen. (v) Introduction  of  standard  operating  procedures  to  avoid  unsafe  practices  in mines.

- (vi) DGMS  issues  circular  regularly  for  mining  industries  to  take  preventive measures.

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