(a) the number of cases of fires in mines recorded during each of the last five years coal mine-wise:
(b) the cases of such fires along with number of casualties and loss of revenue coal mine-wise: and
(c) the details of safety measures taken by the Government so far in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF COAL, POWER AND NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)
Reply (a)& (b) : Company-wise cases of fires recorded in mines of subsidiaries of CIL during each of the last five years along with causes of such fires, numbers of causalities and loss of revenue are given in Annexure.
Reply (C): Safety measures taken by CIL to check incidence of fire in mines: Apart from compliance of the statutory provisions for prevention of mine fire as laid down in the Mines Act, 1952, the Coal Mine Regulations- 1957 and Byelaws & Standing Order framed there under, CIL has taken several remedial measures to prevent fire in mines. These are as under:
1. Risk Assessment & Safety Management Plan: Risk assessment based Safety Management Plans have been prepared for all mines of CIL, wherein all hazards including that of mine fire have been identified. It is an on-going process for continuous improvement of safety standards in mines.
2. Specific measures are being taken to control spontaneous heating, fire & explosion:
# Spot sampling of mine air and analysis of the same is being done as per statute.
# More thrust on construction of sectionalization stopping.
# Highly susceptible and thick coal seams are being depillared with hydraulic sand stowing.
# Use of Gas Chromatograph to analyze mine air sampling with better accuracy.
# Stone dusting is being done in underground mines.
# Fallen coals are removed regularly from workings which are not sealed-off.
# Regular underground inspection and old working inspections are being done by mine officials and supervisors.
# Fresh Pressure Quantity Survey to improve ventilation standard of UG mines.
# Use of Local Methane Detector (LMD) and Environmental Tele-Monitoring System (ETMS) for early and accurate detection of methane belowground for highly gassy mines.
# Periodic special safety drives and inspections are conducted from time to time to improve and ensure safety status of the mine.
# Mine-specific Emergency Response Plans have been prepared to deal with situation arising out of mine fire.
2. In addition to this Government and Coal Companies have taken several other remedial measures to prevent fatalities and to improve the standard of safety. These are as under:
i) 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.
ii) Coal Companies also conduct Safety audits through engaging experts in mine safety and take appropriate corrective measures for improving safety in mines.
iii) Standard operating procedures are established to avoid unsafe practices in mines.
iv) 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.
v) Risk Assessment Techniques are introduced which aim to eliminate, control and manage the risks in mines.
vi) Safety training programmes are organized among Managers and Supervisors for improving safety standards in mines.
vii) Other safety measures initiated recently:
# 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&D projects on safety have also been initiated.
# Spreading knowledge and coal mine safety information through publication of quarterly safety bulleting.
viii) 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.
ix) To promote and propagate safety awareness in mines, National Safety Awards (Mines) and National Conference on Safety in Mines are organized by Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS). The recommendations of National Conference on Safety in Mines are being implemented to enhance safety of mine workers.
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.