THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR COAL (SHRI N.T. SHANMUGAM)
(a) to (f): A statement is laid on the table of the House.
Statement referred to in parts (a) to (f) of the Lok Sabha
Starred Question No. 430 for 19.12.2000 regarding Accidents in Coal Mines.
The number of fatal accidents that took place in the
coal mines of Coal India Limited, the fatalities therein
and the amount of compensation paid, during 1997, 1998,
1999 & 2000 (till Nov., 2000 ) is furnished as under:-
YEAR ITEM ASSAM BIHAR MAHAR MP ORISSA UP WB ASHTRA
1997 ACCIDENTS 1 44 4 24 7 1 18 FATALITIES 1 51 4 25 7 2 21 COMPENSATION 189560 7853873 577030 2781693 863503 372600 3006319
1998 ACCIDENTS 2 35 12 17 5 0 20 FATALITIES 2 40 13 19 8 0 22 COMPENSATI 338122 6185220 2040162 3061832 1433667 0 2880438
1999 ACCIDENTS 1 36 7 25 7 0 18 FATALITIES 1 38 7 28 7 0 22 COMPENSATION 149670 5617740 1179465 4704963 1041732 0 3131902
2000 ACCIDENTS 1 23 7 22 1 2 15
(UPTO NOV.) FATALITIES 1 31 16 24 1 2 16 COMPENSATION 15000+ 3853886 2741999 3519300 197060 30000+ 2299498
NOTE
ACCIDENTS & FATALITIES FOR 2000 SUBJECT TO RECONCILIATION WITH DGMS
+ Ex-gratia paid, compensation under process.
Enquiry is conducted into each fatal accident by the
internal safety organisation (ISO) of the company as well as
by officials of Director General of Mines Safety (DGMS).
The causes and circumstances leading to each fatal
accident and the preventive measures required to be taken to
avoid such accidents in future is given in the report of the
inquiries conducted by ISO.
The following new measures have been undertaken to
check accidents in coal mining operations of Coal India
Limited :
1. Design of system of support of roof in the development
workings in underground mines by scientific support systems
based on Rock-Mass-Rating studies .
2. Progressive use of steel support in underground mines.
3. Greater use of quick-setting cement capsule grouted
roof bolts for support in development workings in
underground mines.
4. Reduced exposure of workers to mining hazards by
mechanisation of loading operations by increasing use of
SDLs & LHDs in below ground mines.
5. Continued efforts towards induction of capital
intensive mechanised longwall mining with powered support
where workmen work under skin-to-skin steel roof support in
underground mines.
6. Thrust on training & retraining of workmen, supervisors
to increase safety awareness of the workmen
7. A comprehensive action plan has been framed to reduce
accidents in opencast mines.
The safety norms/rules formulated by DGMS are implemented
in Coal India Limited mines. Safety Board meetings at Coal
India are held twice in a year which have representation
from DGMS. Tripartite meetings between management, DGMS and
Trade Union representatives are held twice in a year at
subsidiary Company level and once in a year at Colliery/Unit
level. Similarly, Standing Committee on Safety Chaired by
Minister In-charge (Coal) are held twice a year, in the
Ministry of Coal, which is represented by Director General
of Mines Safety and Ministry of Labour officials.
