STANDING COMMITTEE ON SAFETY IN COAL MINES

There is a Standing Committee on Safety in Coal Mines under the Chairmanship of Minister In charge of Ministry of Coal with representatives from MoL&E, DGMS, Dhanbad, Chairman, CIL and CMDs of CIL subsidiaries, SCCL, NLC, IISCO, DVC, different State Public Sector Companies, private sector Coal companies and Central Trade Unions Leaders as members of this Committee.  The Committee examines all aspects of safety in coal mines and takes stock of safety situation for bringing out further improvement.  It is the highest national level tripartite safety monitoring committee in India for coal mines. The Committee meets periodically and so far 34 meetings of the Committee have been held.

         The 34th meeting of the Standing Committee on Safety in Coal Mines was held on 23.12.2010.  The Committee reviewed the Action Taken Report on the recommendations of earlier meetings and discussed the Action Taken Plan to prevent recurrence of accidents due to inundation, roof falls, explosion and other causes and different safety related issues for improving the safety and health conditions in coal mines. The Committee recommended the following:-

• Strengthening of DGMS by filling up the post of shortage of Inspectors to over come the shortage.
• Expediting the process of Amendment of Coal Mines Regulations (CMR).
• Strengthening Safety Organization of CIL
• Taking steps for Better safety for Contractor’s worker
• Measures to be taken to prevent theft of explosives particularly in naxalite infested region.
• Inspection of private mines by a Sub- Committee comprising of representatives of trade Union, DGMS, CIL and Ministry of Coal.
• Risk Analysis & Safety Management Plan based on identified risks.
• Expediting filling up of Statutory posts in all coal companies.
• Preparation of action plan by coal companies to prevent recurrence of accidents from inundation, mine fire, explosion, roof falls, etc.
• Implementation of recommendations of various Courts of inquiry on mine accidents.
• Proper and adequate utilization of safety budgets by coal companies.

 

SAFETY MEASURES / INITIATIVES


          Safety in coal mines is of paramount importance.  In addition to the compliance of the provisions of prescriptive safety legislation under the Mines Act 1952, PSU coal companies have also taken steps for self regulation.  These steps include:-

• Establishment of multi-disciplinary Internal Safety Organization (ISO) to assist the line management at various levels in matters related to Safety.
• Introduction of Risk Assessment based Safety Management Plan for their mines.
• Safety Audit by independent safety auditors.
• Steps for Disaster Prevention:
• Inundation: Thrust on Safety Audit, Check Survey, Trials of Geo-physical Methods for detection of water bodies / proving parting, adequate preparation before monsoon season etc.
• Fire in mines: Panel system working (so that in case of fire that can be isolated immediately), strengthening of isolation stoppings and use of fire retardant sealant etc.
• Explosion: Early Gas detection through various modern gadgets (both sensors & catalytic base), Continuous type computer based on-line Gas monitoring for highly gassy and fiery mines and erection of explosion proof stopping.

 

Emergency Response Systems

• Emergency Action Plans (EAP) of each mine are being reviewed from time to time and corrective action taken.
• Mock Rehearsals.
• Demarcating Escape Routes.
• State of the art Rescue Apparatus like BG-4 Self Contained Breathing Apparatus was introduced in Rescue Stations and Rescue Personnel were trained for their use.

For reduction of Roof/Side falls accident:  Roof / Side fall accident is still one of the major causes of fatal accident in underground mines. Coal Companies have given priority for ensuring roof support management through:

• Stress on face mechanization to reduce exposure of workmen in active working zone.
• Geo-mechanical properties of overlying rocks are being studied and Support Systems are being scientifically designed on the basis of Rock-Mass-Rating (RMR) of overlying strata and duly approved by DGMS.
• Greater use of Roof Bolting/ Stitching methods of roof support
• Introduction of mechanized drilling by roof bolting machines.
• Emphasis on development of indicators for detecting impending load on roof through R&D.

For reduction of accident in Opencast as well as on Surface of Mines: The following measures are being taken for reduction of fatalities in Opencast Mines & on Surface:

• Mine-specific Traffic Rule.
• Code of Practices for HEMM operators, Maintenance staffs & others.
• Standard of Procedure related to safe operation of various mining operation.
• Risk Assessment & Management
• Training of Contractor’s Workers involved in transporting

Monitoring the status of safety through the following agencies :

• Workmen’s Inspectors
• Safety Committee at mine level
• Area Level Tripartite Committees
• Tripartite Safety Committee
• CIL Safety Board         
• Standing Committee on Safety in Coal Mines
• Conferences on Safety in Mines
• Different Parliamentary Standing Committee

        
 Company-wise Accident Statistics of CIL, SCCL & NLC for the year 2010

Company	Fatal Accidents	Fatalities	Serious Accidents	Serious Injuries	Fatality Rate		Serious Injury Rate
					Per MT	Per 3 lac man shifts	Per MT	Per 3 lac man shifts
ECL	12	12	53	53	0.73	0.69	5.18	1.43
BCCL	9	9	21	26	0.71	0.68	3.55	0.79
CCL	8	10	8	9	1.12	0.59	0.59	0.36
NCL	12	12	7	7	0.16	0.81	0.11	0.54
WCL	13	16	37	61	1.08	1.05	2.76	2.57
SECL	20	33	36	44	0.62	0.85	2.18	1.79
MCL	2	2	3	3	0.02	0.27	0.02	0.27
NEC	1	1	0	0	1.12	1.28	0.00	0.00
CIL	77	95	165	183	1.11	0.82	2.83	1.35
SCCL	10	12	298	308	0.24	0.24	6.13	6.30
NLC	2	3	4	5	0.13	0.21	0.22	0.35

Note: Figures for 2010 are updated as on 31-12-10 and provisional.
           

Company-wise Accident Statistics during the period 2007 to 2010

Note: Figures for 2009 & 2010 are updated as on 31-12-10 are provisional and subject to reconciliation with DGMS.

Rate of Fatality and Serious Injury of CIL, SCCL & NLC during the period 2007 to 2010

@ Note: Figures for the year 2009 & 2010 are updated as on 31-12-10 and provisional.
* Figures are subject to reconciliation with DGMS.