Lok Sabha Question No. 2675 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-10
Subject: Security of Coal Mine Workers
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: Anil Firojiya

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.  2675

## ANSWERED ON 10/03/2021

## Security of Coal Mine Workers

2675. SHRI ANIL FIROJIYA:

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  any  steps  have  been  taken  for  the  security  of  coal  mine  workers  who remain exposed to grave danger at the time of mining;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether  there  is  any  delay  in  purchase  and  use  of  advance  systems  that  are available in terms of security; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS, COAL AND MINES (SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI)

- (a):  Yes, Sir.

(b):    Safety, welfare and health of workers employed in mines are the concern of the Central Government (Entry 55-Union List-Article 246). The objective is regulated by the Mines Act, 1952 and the Rules and Regulations framed thereunder. Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS) under the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India administers this Act in the mining sector. The relevant Regulations/ Rules relating to safety of Coal mines are as below:

- a. Mines Act, 1952
- b. Coal Mines Regulations, 2017
- c. Mines Rules, 1955
- d. Mines Vocational Training Rules, 1966
- e. Mines Rescue Rules, 1985

Also, keeping in line with the mandate under the Mines Act, 1952, the Officers of DGMS  undertake  sample  inspections  of  mines  and  based  on  the  contraventions observed during the inspection action as provided under law is taken.

Further, Coal companies are availing services of different security agencies like Departmental Security, Directorate General of Resettlement (DGR) sponsored Security, Home Guards,  Central  Industrial  Security  Force  (CISF)  and  State  Industrial  Security Force (SISF) for security.

Directorate  General  of  Mines  Safety  (DGMS)  has  taken  following  steps  to improve safety standard of coal mine in the country:

- i)     Sample  inspection  of  Mines  and  action  is  taken  as  per  law  based  on  the observations during the inspections.
2. ii)    Enquiry into Accidents, Dangerous Occurrences etc. and action is taken as per law based on the findings of the enquiry,
3. iii)   Amendment of safety laws,
- v)    Issue  of  guidelines  for  safer  operations  in  identified  thrust  areas  through circulars and issue of technical instructions to DGMS officers for their guidance.
5. vi)   Introduction  of  Risk  Assessment  Techniques  and  preparation  of  safety management plan aimed at elimination of risks and to ensure safety of workmen.
6. vii)  Introduction  of  standard  operating  procedures  to  avoid  unsafe  practices  in mines.

In addition to above, the following steps to improve safety standard of coal mines are also being taken by coal companies:

1. Preparation and implementation of risk assessment based Safety Management Plans (SMPs).
2. Preparation and implementation of Principal Hazards Management  Plans (PHMPs) along with Trigger Action Response Plan (TARP).
3. Formulation  and  compliance  of  Site-specific  Risk  Assessment  based  Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
4. Conducting safety audit of mines.
5. Online  Centralized  Safety  Monitoring  System  'CIL  Safety  Information  System (CSIS)' has been developed for monitoring different safety parameters.
6. (c):    Need-based safety items are procured in time as per requirement and provided to all mines.

- (d):    Does not arise in view of reply (c).

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