January 07, 2002

‘21’

LABOUR MINISTRY URGES THE DGMS TO INTRODUCE RISK MANAGEMENT AND SAFETY MANAGEMENT PLANS IN MINING SECTOR

    The Labour Ministry has urged the Directorate General of Mine Safety, DGMS, to introduce "Risk Management" and "Safety Management Plans" in mining sector as in advanced countries to bring down risk factors to acceptable levels. Addressing the concluding function of the centenary celebrations of the DGMS in the country’s coal capital, Dhanbad today, the Minister of State for Labour and Employment Shri Muni Lall expressed concern over increase in fatality rate in mining accidents after showing a steady decline over he last four decades. He said that the DGMS would have to optimize its resources, particularly its manpower resources. Shri Muni Lall said that the DGMS needs to look at systems of Safety Audits by external agencies to augment its efforts to improve the country’s mine safety record. Referring to criticism of "Internal safety organisation" (ISO) set up by many mining companies of not being effective by Trade Unions, the Minister said, "It is absolutely necessary to make this institution effective. Trade Unions should be actively involved in implementing safety norms in mines". He also called for involvement of workers in safety management saying that their contribution is important in shaping safe behaviour at work in mines. Shri Muni Lall said that the Ministry of Labour "shall remain comrade-in–arms with the industry in realizing nationally acceptable and internationally comparable standards of health, safety and welfare for employees of Indian mines."

.     The DGMS has played a pivotal role in standardizing various safety practices all around the country with major scientific, research and educational initiatives. During the hundred years of state intervention in respect of safety and health of workers employed in mines there has been dramatic reduction of fatal accidents and serious injuries as well as fatality and serious injury rates. The fatality rate per thousand persons employed in coalmines fell from a high of 0.93 (ten yearly average for the period 1901-2000) to less than 0.30 percent. The same rate for non-coal mines fell from 0.67 to 0.35.