Lok Sabha Question No. 926 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-08
Subject: Safety of Mining Workers
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Aparajita Sarangi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 926 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.02.2021

## SAFETY OF MINING WORKERS

## 926.  SHRIMATI APARAJITA SARANGI:

Will  the  Minister  of  LABOUR  AND  EMPLOYMENT  be  pleased  to state:

- (a)whether  the  Government  has  put  in  place  any  guidelines  to  be followed to ensure safety of mining workers in India, and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)whether  the  Government  has  conducted  any  studies  to  evaluate whether the guidelines for safety of mining workers in the country have been strictly adhered to;
- (c)if so, the details thereof including recommendations proposed, and if
- not, the reasons therefor;
- (d)whether the Government has reasons to believe that child labour is rampant in the mining sector and if so, the actions taken thereon; (e)whether  the  Government  has  any  plans  to  introduce  schemes  to
- provide health insurance cover to the mining workers; and (f)if so, the details thereof, and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## (SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)

- (a): The safety of workers employed in the mines is dealt with in  the  Mines  Act,  1952  and  Rules  &  Regulations  made  thereunder. Directorate  General  of  Mines  Safety  (DGMS)  under  the  Ministry  of Labour and Employment, Government of India administers this Act for ensuring safety of the persons employed in mines.
- (b) & (c): No study has been conducted to evaluate adherence to the  guidelines  for  safety  of  mining  workers  in  the  country.  However, the  owner,  agent,  manager  and  other  statutory  persons  appointed  at the  mines  are  required  to  comply  with  the  provisions  of  the  statute. Chief Inspector of Mines and Inspectors of Mines make inspections to ascertain implementation of the provisions of the Mines Act, 1952 and of the regulations, rules and bye-laws and of any order  made thereunder.

In  order  to  prevent  re-occurrence  of  accidents  in  future, Directorate  General  of  Mines  Safety  issues  circular  for  the  mining industry for preventive measures to be taken. To ensure that the mine workers are provided with adequate safety measures while working in the mines, DGMS undertakes inspections of mines and take measures vis a vis: Pointing out contraventions, Withdrawal of permission, Issue of improvement notices, Prohibition of employment, Informal stoppages and Prosecution in the court of law.

To prevent accidents in the mines the following steps are also taken by the Government:

- (i) To promote and propagate safety awareness in mines, National Safety  Awards  (Mines),  National  Conference  on  Safety  in  Mines are  organized  by  DGMS.  Workers participation and sensitization in matters of safety are ensured through training in safety and by initiatives like observance of safety week and safety campaigns, etc.
- (ii) Safety training programmes are organized among Managers and Supervisors for improving safety standards in mines.
- (iii) Introduction of Risk Assessment Techniques and preparation of safety  management  plan  aimed  at  elimination  of  risks  and  to ensure safety of workmen.
- (iv) Introduction  of  standard  operating  procedures  to  avoid  unsafe practices in mines.
- (v) Time to time, DGMS Circulars are issued as guidelines for safe operations in identified thrust areas.

(d): -No, Sir.

(e) & (f): Government of India, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has  launched  Ayushman  Bharat-  Pradhan  Mantri  Jan  Arogya  Yojana (AB-PMJAY) to provide health assurance/ insurance of Rs 5.00 lakh per family  to  poor  and  vulnerable  families.  AB-PMJAY  covers  deprived families in rural areas and families of workers identified in occupational categories in  urban  areas.    The  family  of  mine  workers belonging to the identified categories is entitled to get benefits under the  Yojana.  Further,  Government  Hospitals  and  occupational  health centres  provided  by  mine  management  caters  to  the  treatment  of mining workers.

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