Adopt concept of 'zero-harm' in coal mining: Dasari Narayana Rao

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.

Source : Press Information Bureau

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