Govt. introduces ten measures to improve safety of coal mine workers

The government has announced ten measures to improve the safety of workers in coal mines.

Minister of State for Power, Coal and New and Renewable Energy (Independent Charge) in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha said today that the safety measures are as follows:

(i) To promote and propagate safety awareness in mines, National Safety Awards (Mines) and National Conference on Safety in Mines are organized by DGMS. The recommendations of National Conference on Safety in Mines are being implemented to enhance 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) Risk assessment techniques are being introduced which aim to eliminate, control and manage the personal risks in mines.

(v) Standard operating procedures are established to avoid unsafe practices in mines.

(vi) A special safety awareness campaign has been launched to increase awareness of mine workers. i.e., 'Safety is My Responsibility' and steps have been taken to propagate this to each miner.

(vii) Other safety measures initiated recently:

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Special training programme for safety officers and other key mining official directly engaged in ensuing safety at mines by SIMTARS, Australia accredited trainers.

Several R and D projects on safety have also been initiated.

Spreading knowledge and coal mine safety information through publication of quarterly safety bulleting.

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(viii) Internal safety organizations of coal companies regularly visit the mines for assessing the safety status and advise the management for corrective steps required if any.

(ix) Coal companies also conduct safety audits through engaging experts in mine safety and take appropriate corrective measures for improving safety in mines.

(x) Standing Committee on Safety in Coal Mines under the Chairmanship of Minister of Coal periodically reviews the status of safety in coal mines in the country and issues are addressed for ensuring safety of persons deployed in coal mines.