Adopt concept of 'zero-harm' in coal mining: Dasari Narayana Rao
DGMS TO EVOLVE FRESH GUIDELINES WITHIN 3 MONTHS FOR RISK ASSESSMENT OF
ALL CIL MINES
COAL COMPANIES ASKED TO FILL UP SHORT-FALL IN ALL CATEGORIES OF STATUTORY PERSONNEL BY DECEMBER 2007
30TH MEETING OF STANDING COMMITTEE ON SAFETY IN COAL MINES HELD
The Minister of State for Coal Dr. Dasari Narayana Rao has said that
while augmenting coal production the companies should adopt the concept
of 'zero harm' which would ensure implementation of good safety systems
and practices for the coal miners. While chairing the 30th meeting of
the Standing Committee on Safety in Coal Mines here today Dr. Rao said
that for such an approach, periodical review of safety of miners is a
must and our efforts in doing so through this forum will go a long way in
protecting the interest of work persons in mines and increasing coal
production and productivity.
The Minister called upon coal companies to adopt the concept of risk
assessment and management of mines and putting efforts in making workings
safe. Dr. Rao advised the Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS) to
evolve fresh guidelines within 3 months for risk assessment of all 560
mines of Coal India Ltd (CIL). He further asked all coal companies both
in private and public sector to ensure that the short-fall in all
categories of statutory personnel is filled up by December 2007. This
will greatly improve safe operations in coal mining. Presently there is
a short-fall in coal India of 2500 in executive category and 1600 in non
executive category. The personnel is non-executive category include
surveyors, mining sirdars, overman while executive category personnel
are, IInd class mining engineers, electrical & mechanical engineers and
welfar officers, etc. It was decided that replacement of manual drilling
by mechanical drilling in underground coal mines should be done within
one year. This will not only make mining safer but also improve
efficiency in mining.
Referring to the disturbing trend of rising accidents in opencast mines
due to dumper movements, Dr. Rao stressed that this should not be
tolerated as the same is totally avoidable. He asked Managements of
coal companies to devise appropriate traffic movement systems and totally
avoid recurrence of such accidents.
The meeting was attended by Secretary (Coal) Shri H.C. Gupta, DG, DGMS,
senior officers of the Ministry of Coal and Ministry of Labour, CEOs of
Private/Public Sector Coal Companies, representatives of major Trade
Unions, other professionals, etc.
RCJ/SL