MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI GHULAM NABI AZAD)
(a) to (d) The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has informed that Silicosis is a
notifiable disease under the Factories Act. During the past few years, National Institute
of Occupational Health (NIOH), Ahmedabad has carried out studies on silicosis in different
industries where the exposure to free silica dust can occur. These industries/processes
included slate pencils cutting units of Mandsaur, Madhya Pradesh, agate grinding units of
Khambhat, Gujarat; Ceramic and Pottery units of Thangadh, Gujarat. In addition, ICMR’s Desert
Medicine Research Centre at Jodhpur has also carried out a study among stone quarry workers in
2000. The prevalence of silicosis in the industries where NIOH has carried out studies is given
in Annexure-I.
Ministry of Labour & Employment has given details of number of workers affected due to
occupational diseases reported from coal mines and from non-coal mines to DGMS during
2001-2012 which are given in Annexure II & III. It has been further informed that no
cases of silicosis from dolomite mines have been reported to the Directorate General
of Mines Safety (DGMS).
DGMS has not conducted any study in this regard.
(e) Ministry of Labour & Employment has informed that adequate provisions for safety and health
of persons employed in mines are made in the Mines Act, 1952, Mines Rules, 1955, Coal Mines
Regulations, 1957, Metalliferous Mines Regulations, 1961 and Oil Mines Regulations, 1984.
The Mines management is required to comply within such provisions in their mines.
The compliance of such provisions are checked during the course of inspections and enquiries
by officers of DGMS and suitable measures such as notices, prohibitory orders are issued to
ensure compliance.
