Lok Sabha Question No. 2587 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-11
Subject: Accidents in Neyveli Lignite Corporation
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: Dr. M K Vishnu Prasad

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2587 ANSWERED ON 11.12.2024

## Accidents in Neyveli Lignite Corporation

## 2587. Dr. M K Vishnu Prasad:

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  safety  measures  taken  by  Neyveli  Lignite  Corporation  of  India  (NLC)  to  avoid accidents in plants and mines;

(b) the number of fatal and minor accidents/ incidents which occurred during the last three years;

(c) the details of steps taken to avoid recurrence of such accidents in NLC; and

(d) the steps taken to avoid flooding of mines and ensure workers safety during monsoon season?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF COAL AND MINES (SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

(a): The safety measures taken by NLC India Limited (NLCIL) to avoid accidents in plants and mines are as follows:

## (A) Thermal Power Plants

Safety measures being taken to maintain the safe working environment and avoid accidents in Plants are as follows:

1. To overview the safety and to maintain the safe working environment in Thermal power stations,  the  safe  operating  procedures  for  each  and  every  activity  have  been  prepared and training imparted thereon, including Induction training and re-training to all employees, Tool Box Talks, Pep-Talks and Mock drills conducted at regular Intervals as per the statutory requirements with respect to the Factories Act, 1948 and the Tamil Nadu Factories Rules, 1950.
2. Safety committee has been formed to identify the non-compliances and Welfare measures at the premises and the compliances are recorded as per the 61-M of The Tamil Nadu factories rules, 1950.
3. The External Safety audit as per the IS: 14489:1998 is conducted once in two years and compliance reports are recorded to maintain safety at Thermal Plants.
4. To meet out the fire, Emergencies, fire stations are being maintained in plants and along with fire monitoring committee formed to monitor the Fire hazards.
5. The Safety manual and The Disaster management plan have been made ready and circulated through e-Mode to know the safety standards and for the follow-up, besides the Training given to the all workmen.

## (B) Coal & Lignite Mines

Safety measures being taken to maintain the safe working environment to avoid accidents in mines are follows:

1. Formulation & Implementation of Safety Management Plan (SMP), Hazard identification and Risk Assessment as per coal mine regulations (CMR 2017), Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) have been prepared and put into practice.

2.  Scientific  study  has  been  conducted  under  Regulation  106  of  CMR  2017  and  mines  at Neyveli are being operated with the state-of-the-art technology i.e. Bucket Wheel Excavator, Spreader and a series of conveyors with inbuilt safety features.

3. Pit Safety Committee meeting is conducted every month as per Mine Rules - 1955. Safety Audit of all mines are carried out by multi-disciplinary team of Corporate Safety once in every year.

4. Every mine is maintaining 2 Fire Tenders.

5. Training on SIMULATOR is imparted at Group Vestibule Training Centre and virtual based training to equipment operators before engaging them in actual equipment operation.

(b): The details of fatal and minor accidents/ incidents which occurred in NLCIL during the last three years are as under:

| NLCIL   | NLCIL   | 2021   | 2022   | 2023   |
|---------|---------|--------|--------|--------|
|         | Fatal   | -      | -      | 1      |
|         | Serious | 1      | 1      | -      |
|         | Fatal   | 1      | 1      | --     |
|         | Serious | --     | 6      | --     |

(c): The steps taken to avoid recurrence of such accidents in NLCIL are as under:

1. Training imparted on Root Cause Analysis (RCA) technique of accident investigation at IIT-ISM Dhanbad.

2. Every accident is investigated thoroughly to arrive at the root cause.

3. Based on the root cause analysis, recommendations are given to prevent recurrence of such incidents.

4. Life-saving rules have been prepared and implemented in all units.

5. Regular inspections of Mines, Monthly Safety Officer meeting to discuss all incidents and the corrective actions are reviewed. Safety Circulars based on the learning of recent incidents for spreading the awareness among people.

(d): The steps taken by NLCIL to avoid flooding of mines and ensure workers safety during monsoon season are as follows:

1.  Water  danger  potential  is  studied  and  incorporated  in  monsoon  preparation  plan  and implemented every year before the start of the monsoon.

2.  Monsoon squad is  formed  before  the  start  of  the  monsoon  and  they  are  put  into  action whenever there is adverse weather forecast.

4. Standing order for withdrawal of persons in case of risk of inundation or inrush of water is prepared and put into action at the start of monsoon season.

5. Mock drill is conducted regularly to check the effectiveness of monsoon preparedness plan.

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