Question : SAFETY OF MINE WORKERS

(a) whether the Government has received any specific information regarding violations of mines safety norms by any specific company;

(b) if so, the details of such companies along with the action taken against them during each of the last three years and the current year;

(c) the reasons for failure in ensuring the safety, health and security of workers in mines which is resulting in several accidents;

(d) the number of accidents and casualties in mines along with the details of rules with regard to payment of compensation to the families of such deceased mine workers during the said period; and

(e) the corrective steps taken by the Government in this regard?

MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI BANDARU DATTATREYA)

(a) & (b): Several complaints have been received by Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS) regarding violation of mine safety norms by companies during the last three years and current year, both for coal and non-coal mines. Details of these companies are given in Annexure-I (Coal) and Annexure-II (Non-Coal). Action taken by DGMS on these complaints included issuing improvement notices, prohibitory orders, and stoppage of work or suspension of mining operations.

(c): The primary reasons for failure resulting in accidents include:

(i) Negligence on part of supervisory officials to ensure safety inspections, provisions of rules and regulations in the mines;

(ii) Non-provision of support or inadequate supports of workings in underground mines;

(iii) Non-provisions of Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) or non-use of PPEs by the workmen/supervisors;

(iv) Non-compliance of safety provisions, rules and regulations;

(v) Negligence on part of drivers or operators of machinery/equipments; and

(vi) Working without forming proper benches and maintaining haul roads in opencast mines.

(d): The number of accidents and casualties in mines during the last three years and current year is given in Annexure-III. The subject of compensation provided to the deceased mine workers is dealt under the Employees’ Compensation Act, 2010.

(e): The following steps have been taken by the Government:

(i) Risk Assessment and Safety Management are being introduced in mines so that every risk is assessed and due care taken to ensure safety;

(ii) Code of Safe Practices (CoSP) and Standard Operating Procedures (SoPs) are being framed, implemented and reviewed;

(iii) Special Training Programme on Risk Assessment and Safety Management System are being organized at company, Area and Unit level;

(iv) In addition, National Safety Awards (Mines), Safety Weeks and Competitions are also organized to disseminate safety message and information to all the workmen, supervisors and officials; and

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 the same.