November 21, 2001

The steps taken by Coal India Limited and its subsidiaries to enhance safety measures are as under:-

1. For underground mines:-

1. Check correlation survey to guard against inundation – out of 178 mines identified work has been completed in 107 mines and is in process of completion in balance 71 mines.
2. Connecting all mine plans to national grid – has almost been completed.
3. Wherever required the thickness of barrier between adjacent mines have been proved by positive methods like drilling.
4. Replacement of timber support by steel support in a phased manner.
5. Support plan have been framed on the basis of Rock Mass Rating (RMR) study.
6. Hand held digital gas detectors in addition to flame safety lamps are being used for inflammable and noxious gases for regular monitoring of mine environment.
7. Continuous computerized Environmental Tele Monitoring Systems (ETMS) are being provided –36 mines have been identified for this purpose; 7 such systems are in operation and 6 more systems are under procurement.
8. Development of more SDL/LHD and introduction of PSLW equipment to reduce exposure of workers to hazards.
9. Before every monsoon, danger of inundation from both surface and underground mines are examined for each mine and action plan drawn and implemented.
10. Support personnel and other key personnel, such as supervisory staff are being given extensive job specific training.

1. Comprehensive action plan framed to reduce accidents in opencast mines & at surface.
2. Special drives for checking configuration of over burden and coal benches and O.B dump slope stability.
3. Improvement in lighting.
4. Stress given on monitoring haul roads and prior checking of road worthiness of vehicles.
5. Traffic rules framed and being enforced in opencast mines.
6. Rest shelters at conspicuous places have been set up.
7. Personnel like HEMM operators etc. are being given extensive job specific training.

3. General

1. Safety audits are being done regularly.
2. Thrust has been given on quality of inspections. Inspection by ISO have also been increased.
3. Workers involvement have been increased in safety through their participation in different fora and through training, publicity and propaganda and organizing special safety drives.
4. CIL has established structured multi disciplinary Internal Safety Organization (ISO) for monitoring safety status – both at subsidiary level and CIL Head Quarters. Safety status is also being monitored through monthly meetings of Safety Committee at mine level, Annual Tripartite Committee, meetings at area level, bi-annual meeting of CIL safety board and also bi-annual meetings of the standing committee on safety in coal mines. Recommendations of the above monitoring agencies are implemented to enhance the safety measures.
5. Programme has been taken up to provide Filter Self Rescuers (FSRs) to all workmen apart from personal protective equipment like shoes, helmets etc.
6. Rescue services have been improved.

The above was informed through a written reply by MOS for Coal & Mines Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad today in Rajya Sabha.