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AhmedabadChapter

Vol. 1 | No. 3 | Monthly | November 2012

EDITORIAL & CONTENTS

EDITORIAL

The Mining Journal team & the Executive Committee Officer Bearers

and members:

to all members of MEAI and readers of the Journal.The Chapter is actively organizing activities scheduled for the current

year and the Local Centres have shown equal enthusiasm. Each Centre

has by now successfully organized one regional seminar with very good

response from the members and other people associated with mining in

Gujarat.The Chapter got a setback, when it was advised to postpone the one

day seminar, scheduled to be organized on 27th October ’12 on

“Minerals & Stone Resources of Gujarat and Scope of Value Addition”

due to the Model Code of Conduct for the State Assembly election had

come into force. The seminar was being organized as a pre-vibrant

seminar with the State Commissionerate of Geology & Mines & State

owned GMDC as Patrons. The seminar is tentatively rescheduled on

19th December ’12. However, the final date will be announced shortly

on Chapter’s web-site.

A few days back, an article appeared in the Times of India, with heading

reading “Why you can never find garbage in Sweden?” It was an

interesting article and is reproduced in this issue of the Journal. The

idea is that when a whole country can manage to recycle the entire

garbage and leaving hardly about 1% of the total garbage for the land-

fills, why cannot, we in Mining Industry, ensure that the entire waste (OB

& tailing/rejects) are fully utilized for landfills and reclamation of land.

Go around any large opencast mine, you will find heaps of rejects and

high mounds of external OB Dumps. The conditions are laid down in the

Environmental Clearances granted by MOEF and also in the guidelines

for Mine Closure Plans, but a sincere implementation is yet to be seen.

Land is precious and we should make every possible effort to reclaim

the land damaged by mining activities.

Wish you a very Happy Diwali& A Prosperous New Year

CONTENTS

AhmedabadChapter

Editorial Board:

Shri A. L. Thakor ChairmanShri S. B. Vora MemberDr. R. D. Shah MemberShri N. K. Purohit MemberShri J. D. Raj Member

Editor: Shri Kiran Bera 9099952409

Nov. 2012

Dec. 2012

Jan. 2013

Feb. 2013

Mar. 2013

Apr. 2013

May 2013

June 2013

July 2013

Diwali Issue: Recommendations of National Safety Conference.

Exploration and Mineral Deposits : State Mineral Policy

Mineral Value Addition : Investment Opportunities in Mineral Sector in Gujarat

Mines Safety & Risk Management

Contract Mining & MDO

Technical developments in Mine Survey and Mine Designing.

Technological developments in Mining Machinery

Forest, Environment and CSR in Mines

Latest IT applications in Mining sector

Month Topic for Special Issue

Revised Calendar of Special Issues of Mining Journal:

Correspondence Address:

The Secretary, MEAI Ahmedabad Chapter, C/o GMDC Ltd., Khanij Bhavan,7th Floor,132 ft Ring Road, Near University Ground, Vastrapur, Ahmedabad. 380052 Tel No.:079-27913211, 27910096, 27913200Fax No.:079-27912195.

Email: [email protected]

A Message for Members:

“As our contribution to ‘save trees’ campaign, we propose to stop paper

correspondences and utilize the media of the official website and SMSs’

on cell-phones for communication with Members and others. Members

and other interested persons are request to provide their cell phone

numbers and e-mail IDs to the Joint Secretary Shri Kiran Bera at his Cell

no. 9099952409 and official e-mail ID of the Chapter

[email protected] at earliest.”- Chairman

Suggestions are invited from the MEAI members and other visitors of the website for improvement in quality of the services being provided by it and the e-magazine.

-Website Management Committee

Congratulations to GMDC’s Mata no Madh Lignite Project for winning the Mines Safety Award for the second consecutive year.

1. News from the Industry.

2. DGMS Circulars & News.

3. Technical Papers:

i) NSC Recommendations on contract mining and its implementation: A Review. By S Ray & Vaibhav Gupta

ii) Contract Labour in India By Shri S G Patel & Ankita Bhatt

iii) NSC Recommendations on Contractual Mining: By Shri S G Verma

iv) Recommendations of 10th NSCBy V K Singh

v) NSC Recommendations: A Case StudyBy S C Jhagrawat

vi) Development of Health & Safety Management System in Contractual MiningBy S N Mathur

vii) Silica sand value Added ProjectBy J V Bhatt

4. News about Members

1

4

10

14

16

21

24

37

29

36

NEWS FROM THE INDUSTRY AhmedabadChapter

Coal Production Records 9% Increase:

Coal production in the country has registered record increase during the last two quarters. Coal off-take has also recorded significant growth during this

period while coal supply to Power Sector during April to Oct 2012 has increased by 12 percent. With these efforts the Coal India would be able to achieve

highest ever production target during this year.

Coal India has a target to produce 464 Million Tonnes (MTs) of coal in 2012-13. It has already produced 208.3 Million Tonnes of coal from 1st April to 15th

Oct 2012, thereby registering a growth of 9% as compared to same period of 2011-12. This is the highest ever production. This is for the first time CIL has

posted 9% growth.

CIL envisages quantum growth in production during 12th plan from potential upcoming coalfields of North Karanpura in Central Coalfields, Mand-Raigad

coalfields In South Eastern Coalfields Limited and IB Valley Coalfields of Mahanadi Coalfields. However, the possibility of enhancing the coal production

in the future depends largely upon timely construction of railway projects for coal evacuation. Ministry and CIL have taken up intensive monitoring to

expedite the completion of the projects in time.

Allocation of New Coal Blocks

The Government has identified 54 coal blocks with total Geographical reserves of about 18.22 Billion Tonnes. Other than government companies, it is

proposed to allocate the coal blocks only after detailed exploration. CMPDIL has been asked to fast track detailed exploration of these coal blocks.

MDO route of development of new blocks by Coal India ltd.

CIL has initiated 27 units/blocks for a total capacity of 136.48 MT per annum for operation under MDO concept. This includes 13 Open Cast blocks for a

capacity of 130 MT / annum. Draft model bid document for selection of MDO has been prepared and comments of different subsidiary companies have

been sought for finalizing the same.

Ghatampur Thermal power project of JV of NLC and UPRVUNL

NLC has entered into a MoU with UPRVUNL on 30th November, 2010 for setting up a coal based power plant for a capacity of 1980 MW at Ghatampur

Tehsil, Kanpur Nagar district, Uttar Pradesh with a proposed equity participation of 51:49. The estimated capital investment of the project is Rs.

14,858.60 crore. Government of India has approved the formation of JV Company between NLC and UPRVUNL on 24 April, 2012 and JV agreement

was signed between NCL and UPRVUNL on 6 October, 2012. The 1st Unit is expected to commence the commercial operations in about 58 months from

the date of sanction of the project by Government of India. Other units will enter into commercial operations at six month interval each from the date of

commissioning of 1st unit.

[Source for Above: MoC Website]

Abstract of Minutes of the Quarterly Meeting of the Central Coordination-cum-Empowered Committee (CEC) on

Mineral Development and Regulation, held on 21st September, 2012 in Shastri Bhavan, New Delhi.

Coal production in the country has registered record increase during the last two quarters. Coal off-take has also recorded significant growth during this

period while coal supply to Power Sector during April to Oct 2012 has increased by 12 percent. With these efforts the Coal India would be able to achieve

highest ever production target during this year.

1. Strategic Plan for the mining sector

The State Governments were requested to review/prepare their respective mineral policies in terms of the Strategic Plan document for the mining sector,

and send a copy to the Ministry of Mines. The State Governments were also requested to review the strengthening of the State Directorates of Mining

and Geology. 2. Implementation of Rule 45 of Mineral Conservation and Development Rules, 1988 It was also pointed out that there is a difference in the data on grade of ore in the returns filed with the IBM and the State Governments, and it was

requested that a suitable third-party audit system may be introduced. It was decided that IBM would make a system of third party check on the report

submitted under Rule 45.

3. Model State Mineral Policy

It was pointed out by the Ministry that concerns have been raised on the decision of the few State Governments to block large mineral bearing areas for

exclusive use by their PSUs through State Mineral Policies, which is against the principles enshrined in the National Mineral Policy, 2008, and also the

statutory provisions of the MMDR Act, 1957.

www.meaiahd.comMEAI | Ahmedabad Chapter | Nov. 2012 | Vol 1 | No. 31


4. Mining Tenement System (MTS)

Some of the important recommendations that emerged in the meeting on 20.9.2012 on the way forward for the MTS project, are given below: (i) It was recommended that the Scheme may include a provision for technical manpower support to the States, and hardware/equipment

support to needy States. (ii) GIS maps should be authenticated by the States through Space/ Remote Sensing Agency/ Departments. (iii) Survey of India maps digitized by NIC should be used as base map. (iv) Concurrent implementation of the project at the Centre/IBM, States and GSI should be undertaken.

5. Comprehensive Guidelines for Reporting of Mineral Reserves & Resources under UNFC System

After hosting the draft guidelines for reporting of Mineral Reserves & Resources under UNFC System on the website and completing consultations with

the Industry; the Ministry of Mines had finalized the draft. The State Governments were requested to furnish their comments.

In order to increase the awareness of the UNFC system of classification in India, the Ministry was proposing to organize a two-day workshop in Delhi in

January, 2013. Chairman directed that the IBM should prepare a background note for circulation within a week. The Chairman stated that till the UNFC became a part of the curriculum of the various academic courses for Mining Engineers and Geologists, the State

Directorate of Mining and Geology should be the agency to disseminate the concepts of UNFC to all the legacy miners. 6. Revision of guidelines of IBM for approval of Mining Plan

IBM has redrafted its existing norms and guidelines for preparation of Mining Plans with a view to reduce discretions and facilitate transparency. These

guidelines are available on the website of the IBM, and comments have been invited.

7. Proposal for conducting examinations for Recognized Qualified Persons (RQP) IBM has proposed introducing a system of examination for grant of RQP Certification to evaluate the knowledge, expertise and capability of the persons

to prepare Mining Plans and Scheme of Mining of desired quality by amending Rule 22B and C. 8. Amendment in Rule 37 of Mineral Concession Rules, 1960.

Ministry is considering amendments in Rule 37 of the MCR, 1960 to bring in clarity on the interpretation of the terms “directly or indirectly financed to a

substantial extent” and the terms “undertakings will or may be substantially controlled” so as to bring in greater compliance. 9. Steps taken by the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) for expediting environment and forest clearances.

All State Governments had to send a list of cases awaiting forest clearance to the MOEF, so that they could be expeditiously followed up. The software for

monitoring the pendency of FCA applications at the State Government level had been operationalized in January, 2012. The MoEF had also informed

that it had issued detailed guidelines on the working of the software, and training programmes in the regional offices for the State functionaries had also

been conducted. The MoEF had also informed that the nodal officers would populate the data in the software, which was to be completed by March,

2012. The MoEF was to issue guidelines on the subject; organise training programmes for the MoEF personnel; and circulate list of the Nodal Officers.

10. Timely decisions in accordance with the MMDR Act and the MCR, and submission of quarterly reports.

Concern was expressed over the fact that a huge number of mineral concession applications and renewal cases were lying pending with the State

Governments. The need for expeditious disposal of the pending applications in accordance with the provisions of the MMDR Act, and the Rules and

guidelines framed thereunder was re-emphasized. State Governments were requested to adhere to the time-frame prescribed under Rule 63A of the

MCR for disposal of concession applications, viz. RP (within 6 months); PL (within 9 months); and ML (within 12 months).

11. Policy/Guidelines on ‘Special Reasons’ to be recorded by State Governments for invoking Section 11(5) of the MMDR ACT while

recommending a later application in a non-notified area.

In view of the express provisions in the National Mineral Policy with regard to transparency and selection criteria in the case of multiple applicants, State

Governments need to adopt and apply a uniform and publicly stated Policy on “Special Reasons?. Accordingly, all States were advised to make available

a copy of their policy to this Ministry, and make specific reference to the policy if they seek to apply the provisions of Section 11(5) of the MMDR Act. It was suggested that the State Governments should consider issuing separate guidelines on “Special Reasons?, if the same did not find a mention in

their State Mineral Policy, and revision of the State Policy was likely to take time. 12. Declassification of ‘earth’ as a minor mineral

The Ministry informed all the participants that NHAI had requested that „earth? when used for filling purposes and for building embankments for roads

should not be considered as a minor mineral, since obtaining environmental clearance in terms of Supreme Court order was impacting all its projects.

The State Governments were of the view that such declassification was not acceptable, and it was requested that instead of taking it out of the minor

mineral list, the matter should be taken up with the Ministry of Environment and Forests for delegation of powers to grant environment clearance for such

activity at the District level with separate set of guidelines.

[Source for Above: Ministry of Mines Website]

NEWS FROM THE INDUSTRY


India needs to make labour laws flexible for jobs: Basu

World Bank Chief Economist, Kaushik Basu said the Indian government needs to amend labour laws to provide flexibility to companies in dealing with

changes in demand pattern, a move that will also boost employment, especially in the organized sector. According to Shri Basu, India’s labour market is over regulated. Rigid labour laws are hurting India’s growth... If we will create a legal environment, there

would be much demand for these workers. So we need a regulatory framework but we need greater flexibility in labour market. But we don’t want a

completely free labour market. For years, the government debated amendments to the Contract Labour Act and the Industrial Disputes Act but put the proposals in deep freeze fearing

protests from trade unions.

In its latest report, the World Bank has identified flexible laws and accelerating urban development as key thrust areas for creating more jobs in the

country. In any case, the report said labour laws were hindering business growth. “Medium-size businesses are not growing and the share of informal

workers in organized firms is up from 32% in 2000 to 68% in 2010,” it said. The number of temporary workers in India grew more than 10% in 2009 and

18% in 2010. The lack of flexibility has also resulted in the share of informal workers in the organized sector going up from 32% in 2000 to 68% in 2010.

Why you can never find garbage in Sweden?

Even as Indian cities like Bangalore slowly transform into one huge garbage dump thanks to faulty civic planning, Sweden finds itself with a unique

problem on its hands: there’s no garbage left in the country. The Scandinavian nation has been ‘importing’ trash from neighbouring Norway to feed its

waste-to-energy programme that provides, through incineration, heat and electricity to thousands of households in the country with a population of 9.5

million.

The story first broke on the American public radio organization Public Radio International and has since been picked up by a number of green blogs and

websites. Sweden’s superefficient waste segregation and recycling systems have made sure only about 4% of the country’s waste ends up in landfills.

So how did Sweden get so good at waste management, and what can other countries learn from it? Firstly, Sweden started putting effective systems in

place from the early 1990s and took a holistic approach, through policy changes, engagement with industry and awareness programmes, to reach out to

all stakeholders of Swedish society. Producers were made responsible for dealing with several categories of waste. Landfill bans and taxes were

introduced, and targets set for increased recycling. More than 90% of household waste in Sweden is recycled, reused or recovered.

By law, companies are responsible for collecting the entire waste-stream stemming from their products, either on their own or through public or private

contractors. There is a strong economic incentive for companies to produce less waste from products and product packaging. Sweden has encouraged

heavy recycling by combining economic incentives, such as garbage collection fees, with easy access to recycling stations and public awareness

campaigns. In 2005, Sweden made it illegal to landfill organic waste. Instead, the waste is biologically treated to make compost, biogas and fertilizer. However, the bulk of the waste is converted into energy through processes that have been refined over the years to be as clean and environmentally

sustainable as possible. In fact, Sweden claims that the damage to the environment caused by the release of dioxins, harmful chemicals released when

waste is incinerated, is less than the damage caused by the burning of fossil fuels.

Thanks to these proactive measures, landfilling of household waste fell from 1,380,000 tonnes in 1994 to 380,000 tonnes in 2004. Around 1.3 million

tonnes of materials and 5.7 TWh (terawatt hour) of energy in the form of heat and electricity were recovered from household waste in 2004: an increase

of 140% and 70%, respectively, since 1994. Surely, Sweden is showing Asia's growing cities how to make a clean sweep.

[Source: Times of India]




Land Acquisition Bill set for delay: The controversial Land Acquisition Bill has been all but wrapped up and was expected to come up before the Cabinet for final clearance ahead of the winter session of Parliament. The Bill was with a Group of Ministers headed by Shri Pawar. But there are several issues that still need to be settled. For instance, the concurrence of land losers, not just land owners, needs to be taken before their sole source of livelihood is taken away from them.Though a purported agreement has been reached that consent of 80 per cent of the population has to be taken to acquire land for a private purpose and 67 per cent before it is acquired for a public purpose, ministers contest this.

And, the rights of tribal occupants of land need special weight in the Bill, say ministers.

In several parts of the country, land is tilled by people other than owners. In Madhya Pradesh, for instance, those who till the land do not always have it in their name.

Therefore, the Bill is likely to be changed to say the consent of land losers, and not land owners, will have to be sought before it is acquired.

This protection is especially relevant in areas subject to coal mining, for instance. The Bill exempts land under 16 Acts listed in Schedule IV of the Constitution from all acquisition.

This includes land where ancient heritage sites are located, or defence land. Several ministers believe this list should be pruned, while others feel it should be expanded.

For instance, it is tribal people who are always forced out of their land and habitat when it is acquired for coal or uranium or bauxite mining.Similarly, another minister says there is no consensus on the percentage of people whose consent should be mandatory before acquisition.The group believes this should apply to all land, and no distinction should be made between acquisition for public or private purposes.

The Government intends to introduce the Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation & Resettlement Bill, 2011 in the Parliament in the Winter Session beginning November 2012.

[Source: Rediff Business & Times 0f India]


Fall of Roof

Fall of sides

Rope Haulage

Dumpers

Trucks / Tankers

Other Machines

Explosives

Electricity

Fall of persons

Fall of Objects

Other causes

Total

Below Ground

Opencast

Above Ground

3

4

2

16

2

9

2

1

8

-

9

57

26

23

8

-

3

-

3

2

7

-

-

-

-

4

19

6

12

3

3

7

2

19

4

16

2

1

8

-

13

76

32

35

10

3

5

-

2

1

5

1

0

4

2

1

24

5

13

6

Coal MiningCause

CIL Others Total

MetalliferousMining

[Source: DGMS web-site]

Fatal Accidents in Mining Industry during September 2012:

DGMS CIRCULARS & NEWS AhmedabadChapter

New Posting

DMS Ahmedabad Region

DMS in Central Zone, Dhanbad

DMS at Chaibasa in South-East Zone

DMS in East Zone, Sitarampur.

SN

1.

2.

3.

4.

Name

Shri Niranjan Sharma

Shri Sanjiban Roy

Shri Satish Kumar

Shri Malay Tikadar

Current or Past Posting

Ahmedabad Region as DDMS & Officiating DMS

Udaipur Region as DDMS in recent past

-do-

-do-

Promotions of DGMS Officials:

The following DGMS Officials, having current or past connection

with mines in Gujarat, are recently promoted to the post of Director

of Mines Safety, vide Office Order dated 18th October 2012.

In addition, one Shri S Bagchi, is also promoted as Director of Mines Safety and is posted as Staff Officer to the Dy Director General,

North West Zone, Udaipur.

MEAI Ahmedabad Chapter extends heartiest congratulations to all of them and welcomes Shri Bagchi to the Zone.

[Source: DGMS Non-Official website]


DGMS CIRCULARS & NEWS


1.0 Introduction

In earlier years when mining activities were modest in scale, safety problems too were simple. With the progress in exploitation of minerals, safety of

persons employed became a matter of concern. In 1895, the Government of India initiated steps to frame legislative measures for safety of workmen, In

1897 first major disaster in mining hit the Kolar Goldfields killing 52 persons. The disaster hastened the process of formulation of safety laws and the first

Mines Act was enacted in 1901. With further experience, this Act was superseded by the Indian Mines Act, 1923, which was again replaced by the

present Mines Act, 1952.

However, with just a mere formulation of regulatory acts, no significant effect were found in regard of safety of workers inside mines and that is evident

from One of the few major disasters in the history of the Indian coal mining occurred in the shape of an explosion in Chinakuri Colliery in February- 1958,

resulting in 175 deaths. As a result of the Chinakuri disaster, the Government of India convened the First Conference of Safety in Mines in 1958-59.

The first conference on safety in mines had recommended for general inspections of mines, special inspections, surprise inspections etc. However

again in 1965, history of Indian coal mining saws a havoc in the form of biggest coal dust explosion at Dhori colliery, East bokaro coal fields, Dhanbad. As

an aftermath of this the second National Conference on safety was called upon in July 1966.

This act of calling national safety conferences only as an aftermath of major disasters became like a trend until 1980 in the shadow of gas explosion at

Jitpur Colliery of the Indian Iron and Steel Company in March-1973 and Baragolia disaster of gas ignition and mild explosion at NECL assam in 1980. In the midst of first to fifth conferences A minor consolation was the fact that fourth conference was the first conference which had not been held just after

a major disaster, but the irony lies in the fact that the agenda of the conference was too much bulky to discuss in a single day and that led to dissatisfaction

among participating members leaving the conference without any fruitful outcome.

Thus it can be inferred easily that earlier history of Indian mining had followed a reactive approach instead of being proactive when it came to safety in

mine working. Post fifth conference it could happen that rest other conference held in normal course not as a mere reaction of mine disasters.

This also shows that so far we have developed a sense of confidence by learning from lacunas and mistakes during previous experience. And now today

we are standing at a forefront of recommendations made in tenth national conference on safety held in 2007.]Today in 21st century where the Global Scenario of mining industry is heading towards Contractual working due to increased production demand along

with a due sense of mine safety, it is definitely a positive sign that in 10th NSC; discussions and recommendations were made for contractual mine

working. The present paper critically focused over recommendations made for Contractor work vis-à-vis Safety and present the authors review for the

same and recommends their suggestions on contrary of that.

NSC RECOMMENDATIONS ON CONTRACT MINING AND

ITS IMPLEMENTATION: A REVIEW

By Swagat Ray & Vaibhav Gupta

DGM (Mines) Engineer (Environment)

GMDC, Mata No Madh Lignite Project

Abstract:

The Conference on Safety in Mines is a tripartite forum at the national level in which the employers' representatives, the trade unions' representatives, the Government represented by Ministry of Labour & Employment, DGMS, various administrative ministries/ departments and

State Governments and associated institutions, professional bodies, service associations, etc. take part. They review the status of safety in mines and the adequacy of existing measures in a spirit of mutual cooperation. The conference also suggests measures for further improvement in safety, welfare and health of mine workers. In the light of the same the present paper critically reviews recommendations specifically focusing “Contractor

work vis-à-vis Safety” at the tenth conference on safety in mines.

Keywords:

SMS (Safety management system), SOP (Safe Operating Procedures)

TECHNICAL PAPERS AhmedabadChapter

2.0 A Review over recommendations & its implementation.

For the Contractor work vis-à-vis Safety at tenth national conference on safety, the onus of responsibilities lies within three domains: (a) Employer

himself; (b) Contractor; (c) Employee, in terms of their distinguished responsibilities as recommended. Review of distinguished responsibilities is given

below:

2.1 Employer’s Responsibilities:

• Suitable clauses (in consistence with risk of the work allotted) shall be included in tender document (including NITs) stating how the risk arising to men & material from the mining operation/operations to be done by the contractors shall be managed.

Author’s Review: Presently this is in generic view that all statuary/legal norms shall be complied but most of all tenders raised by organizations in the current scenario very rarely includes work specific/site specific risk assessment and management strategy, thereby it is a view of author that Safety policy & SMS (Safety management system) should be defined & included in tender as well as NITs (Notice inviting tenders).

• Ensure that contractors are familiar with the relevant parts of the statute, health and safety management system and are provided with copies of such documents prior to commencing work.

Author’s review: At present reactive approach is followed by most of the organization by pointing out the shortcomings in safety measures and thereby communication to contractor for compliance. There lies no mechanism to ensure their familiarity of norms. Authors suggests that Employer must invite only OHSAS 18000 or equivalent certified bidders only to ensure their familiarity of norms. Apart from that pre-selection check-lists shall be included before finalizing the contractor. After finalization of contractor, all relevant documents related to the statute, health and SMS should be documented and provided by the Owner/Agent/Manager before commencement of work.

• Health, safety management system as well as rules, regulations & by-laws shall be consistent and applicable in common to mine owner & contractor.

Author’s review: At present several anomalies can be observed in general in the fact that contractors employees have more working hours, they have no provision of leave, weekly and compensatory day off, provision of overtime, lack of welfare amenities and medical examination standards. In this context authors feels that a strict compliance is necessary with proper surveillance by principle employer & regulatory authorities.

• Form B register should be common for both the employer & contractors whereas C,D, & E register may be independent BUT, shall be kept at the office of the Mine Manager.

Author’s review: At present it is observed in general that form B register is separately maintained by Contractor with a very underlying fact that contractor employees have very high retrenchment ratio due to lots of above mentioned factors like more number of leaves. Authors suggests that Building relations is the key apart from improvisation in other factors, there shall be active participation of contractor workers in employee’s safety & productivity drives.

• Ensure that contracts should preferably be of longer period (three years), so that there is adequate scope of management of safety by the contractor.

Author’s review: Presently most of the organizations generally follow this long term contract trend; however it does not make any sense by just enhancing the contract duration. Purpose shall be fulfilled, if all the previously discussed issues get strictly complied, otherwise condition worsens and conflicts/disputes get complicated.

• Ensure that contractors provide the machinery, operator and other staff with written safe work procedures for the work to be carried out, stating clearly the risk involved and how it is to be managed.

Author’s review: Presently it is a bitter truth that most of the contractor agencies didn’t follow this at all, and it is suggested by authors that before ensuring the same by contractor, employer must raise his stance for systematic approach towards Risk identification & Risk Management through SOPs. Since most of the working manpower in contract agencies are from diverse locations emphasis must be given on vocational training on SOPs in employee’s vernacular languages only for better understanding, otherwise it appears to be a cumbersome task to handle.

• Monitor all activities of the contractors to ensure that contractors are complying with all the requirements of statute and the system related to safety. If found non-compliant of safety laws directing the contractor to take action to comply with the requirements and for further non-compliance, the contractor may be suitably penalized. Clause to this affect may be a part of the agreement between the employer & the contractor.

Author’s review: In the Present scenario generally it is mentioned in tender T&C but only penalty doesn’t fulfill the requirement employer must fill the Gaps with complying the requirement at his own cost & the cost incurred so should be imposed apart from penalty.

• Where a risk to health or safety of a person arises because of a non-compliance directing the contractor to cease work until the non-compliance is corrected.

Author’s review: Practically, it is harsh to implement. Proactive Approach shall avoid such non compliance & if at all, it occurs then alternative arrangement might be thought of.


TECHNICAL PAPERS

2.2 Employer’s Responsibilities:

a) Prepare written Safe Operating Procedure (SOP) for the work to be carried out, including an assessment of risk, wherever possible and safe methods to deal with it/them. Provide a copy of the SOP to the person designated by the mine owner who shall be supervising the contractor's work. Keep an up to date SOP and provide a copy of changes to a person designated by the mine owner. Ensure that all work is carried out in accordance with the Statute and SOP and for the purpose he may deploy adequate qualified and competent personnel for the purpose of carrying out the job in a safe manner. For work of a specified scope/nature, develop and provide to the mine owner a site specific code of practice.

Author’s review: In the Present Situation there is lack of Awareness & Caliber in the contract agencies and also tender conditions doesn’t specify mostly. For this a proactive approach must be adopted. Reformation of Contractors into a well structured organization having qualified personnel is

utmost required for proper understanding & implementation requiring their preparedness for higher remuneration & overall impact on cost factor. Margin of profit should not be compromised at cost of safety.

b) Ensure that all sub-contractors hired by him comply with the same requirement as the contractor himself and shall be liable for ensuring compliance all safety laws by the sub or sub-sub contractors.

Author’s review: More than Contractor’s responsibility it should be of the employer to impose such condition in the selection criteria of tender process. Contractor should be allowed to hire any subcontractor only after obtaining NOC of principal employer.

c) All persons deployed by the contractor for working in a mine must undergo vocational training, initial medical examination, PME. They should be issued cards stating the name of the contractor and the work and its validity period, indicating status of VT & IME.

Author’s review: Presently the major hurdle is high retrenchment ratio of contractor’s employees due to which contractors are reluctant to go for complete medical checkup of employees. A separate cell for occupational health should be there in principle employer’s hospital. The doctor & other paramedical staff in such Occ. Health cell should be imparted training on OH&S so as to comply the ILO norms.

d) Every person deployed by the contractor in a mine must wear safety gadgets to be provided by the contractor. If contractor is unable to provide, Owner / agent / manager of the mine shall provide the same.

Author’s review: Clause of Penalty in addition to the incurred cost of same should be recovered from the contractor in such case and the provision for the same should be clearly defined in tender conditions. Apart from that statutorily the Manager doesn’t have any financial power as per the clause under C.M.R. 41.3(a), Amendment must be done in regulation for manager’s power against such recommendations.

e) The contractor shall submit to DGMS returns indicating – Name of his firm, Registration number, Name & address of person heading the firm, Nature of work, type of deployment of work persons, Number of work persons deployed, how many work persons hold VT Certificate, how many work persons undergo IME and type of medical coverage given to the work persons. The return shall be submitted quarterly ( by 10th of April, July, October & January) for contracts of more than one year. However, for contracts of less than one year, returns shall be submitted monthly.

Author’s review: The contractor should submit such returns only after obtaining certification of the Owner/Agent/Manager with proper crosscheck with records.

2.3 Employee’s Responsibilities:

a) An employee must, while at work, take reasonable care for the health and safety of people who are at the employee’s place of work and who may be affected by the employee’s act or omissions at work. An employee must, while at work, cooperate with his or her employer or other persons so far as is necessary to enable compliance with any requirement under the act or the regulations that is imposed in the interest of health, safety and welfare of the employee or any other person.

Author’s review: Selection of Contractual employee is a predominant factor and it should be based upon certain criteria such as: Job Knowledge, Job Experience, Safety knowledge, Safety attitude & Safety aptitude etc. It is suggested that Representatives of both Employer & Contractor should be present in the selection committee.

3.0 Inclusion of checklists:

As mentioned earlier in the paper, it is suggested to include checklists in the selection criteria of Contractor for smooth working thereafter in the light of

safe mining practices.

Checklists are required to assist in the selection of a reliable, competent contractor who will meet all legal requirements in relation to Occupational

Health & Safety and also provide specific guidance for Mine Managers relating to the identification and control of hazards arising from specific tasks not

usually a part of Mining.

3.1 Pre-selection criteria of checklists

Owner/Agent/Mine Manager should conduct an assessment of the proposed contractors using the General Pre-Selection Checklist for Contractors. They must be assured to fully describe the extent and details of the contract and if possible, they should contact prior clients of the Contractor to confirm their expertise. They must also ensure that original documents as required must be duly verified. They must remain proactive to review, discuss and validate all documents offered regarding OH&S management.

3.2 Final selection criteria of checklists

Having short-listed suitable Contractors, task specific Checklists must be provided for a more detailed assessment in relation to the work to be done. This assessment can be used as a part of the final selection process. Each Checklist is also a preliminary guide for the conduct of the contract work.

“But, it may all happen only if, contractor working are transformed into an organized sector”


TECHNICAL PAPERS

4.0 Conclusion

Mining being a hazardous profession, SAFETY plays a vital role. While talking about Contractual Mining, it is of paramount importance to ensure safety &

Health at all corners because of inexperienced and unskilled deployment of persons, poor living conditions, sanitation etc. whereas the overall motto is

more PROFIT.

In order to achieve the better standards of Safety & Health, ATTITUDE and APPROACH should be in POSITIVE Direction in REC triangle formed by

Regulating bodies, Employer and Contractor.

5.0 References

• http://www.dgmsindia.in/• The coal mines regulations, 1957• http://www.novamining.com/• http://mines.nic.in/writereaddata%5CContentlinks%5C79ecbef8386c4ce99f062294a3d783a2.pdf

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The Paper was presented in the seminar organized in Kutch on 3rd November 2012---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


TECHNICAL PAPERS

INTRODUCTION OF CONTRACT LABOUR IN INDIA

In the present scenario of industrial growth globally it is essential and necessary to cope up the production cost with international standards; Mining

sector is also not at exception. Hence, the deployment of “Contract Labour” or “Contract for the Work” has been started in the mining sector also. The

“Union Ministry Of Labour And Employment” has entrusted DGMS for the implementation and monitoring on the employees working in the mines. For

the said purpose DGMS has made the draft regulations and issued various “National Safety Conference Recommendations “under the relevant section

of mines act.

Dispute between Employer and employees has occurred and referred to the court based on occupational health & safety of the workers and their job

security working in the mines. Therefore, it is decided to give emphasis on the contracts labour in India.

POMPOUS FEATURES OF CONTRACT LABOUR IN INDIA

• Contract Labour is a significant and growing form of employment. It is prevalent in almost all mining industries and allied operations and in service sector.

• It generally refers to workers engaged through an intermediary and is based on a triangular relationship between the user enterprises, the contractor (including the subcontractor) and the workers

• Contract Labour has very little bargaining power, has little or no social security and is often engaged in hazardous occupations endangering their health and safety.

• Contract Labour are often denied minimum wages and have little or no security of employment

• On the other hand, reasons like sporadic nature of work, difficulty in ensuring closer supervision by the employer or cost effectiveness, flexibility in manpower deployment, concentration in core competencies etc. justify the system of contract labour.

• Recognising the need for protecting the interest of contract labour, the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act, 1970 was brought.

PROVISIONS OF THE ACT & THE PRESENT STATUS

• The Act & Rules were enforced w.e.f. 21.03.1971 and applicable to the establishment/ contactor employing 20 or more workmen are employed on any day in the preceding 12 months. It does not apply to establishments where the work performed is of intermittent or seasonal nature.

APPROPRIATE GOVERNMENT

• The jurisdiction of the Central and State Government has been laid down by the definition of the ‘Appropriate Government” in Section 2(1)(a) of the Act, as amended in 1986

• The Appropriate Government, in respect of an establishment under the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act, 1970 is the same as that in the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947.

THE CENTRAL AND STATE ADVISORY BOARDS

• The Central Government and State Governments are required to set up Central and State Advisory Contract Labour Boards to advise the respective

Governments on matters arising out of the administration of the Act as are referred to them. The Boards are authorized to constitute Committees as deemed proper.

REGISTRATION

• The establishments covered under the Act are required to be registered as principal employers with the appropriate authorities

• Every contractor is required to obtain a licence and undertake or execute any work through contract labour in accordance with the licence issued in that behalf by the licensing officer

• The licence granted is subject to conditions relating to hours of work, fixation of wages and other essential amenities in respect of contract as prescribed in the rules

FACILITIES FOR CONTRACT LABOUR

• The Act has laid down certain amenities to be provided by the contractor to the contract labour for establishment of Canteens and rest rooms; arrangements for sufficient supply of wholesome drinking water, latrines and urinals, washing facilities and first aid facilities have been made obligatory. In case of failure on the part of the contractor to provide these facilities, the Principal Employer is liable to provide the same.


TECHNICAL PAPERS

CONTRACT LABOUR IN INDIA

By

S G Patel,

I/C GM (Project), Umarsar Lignite Project, GMDC Ltd.

& Ankita Bhatt


TECHNICAL PAPERS

PAYMENT OF WAGES

• The contractor is required to pay wages and a duty is cast on him to ensure disbursement of wages in the presence of the authorized representative of the Principal Employer. In case of failure on the part of the contractor to pay wages either in part or in full, the Principal Employer is liable to pay the same. The contract labour who performs same or similar kind of work as regular workmen, will be entitled to the same wages and service conditions as regular workmen as per the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Central Rules, 1971.

PROHIBITION

• Apart from the regulatory measures provided under the Act for the benefit of contract labour, the 'appropriate government' under section 10(1) of the Act is authorized, after consultation with the Central Board or State Board, as the case may be, to prohibit, by notification in the official gazette, employment of contract labour in any establishment in any process, operation or other work.

• Central Advisory Contract Labour Board, have prohibited employment of contract labour in various operations/ category of jobs in various establishments. So far 73 notifications have been issued since inception of the Act

EXEMPTION

• The 'appropriate government' is empowered to grant exemption to any establishment or class of establishment or any class of contractors from applicability of the provisions of the Act or the rules made there under on such conditions and restrictions as may be prescribed. Eleven notifications granting exemption to establishments in exercise of this power in the Central sphere have been issued.

STREAMLINING CONTRACT LABOUR LAW

• In the wake of economic globalization, privatization and liberalization, proposals have been received from social partners to bring about amendments in the Contract Labour Act.

VIEWS OF EMPLOYERS’ ASSOCIATIONS

• Since 1970 when the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act was enacted the economy has undergone a sea-change, from an era of protectionism to liberalization, from restricted domestic competition to international competitiveness.

• The system of contract labour offers tremendous opportunities for employment and allows the employers flexibility to choose what is best for them. This helps improve productivity and service competitiveness.

• The Act should be made applicable only to the main and core activities of the establishment in so far as abolition of contract labour system is concerned.

• Supportive or allied activities of an establishment like maintenance, house keeping should be out sourced and the Act should only provide for regulating the working conditions and wages.

• The Principal Employer should, however, have to ensure payment of wages to contract labour as laid down under the law in force as also other basic amenities and social security benefits.

• Work requiring specialized skills unavailable within the establishment.

• If the contract labour system, which is cost effective, is not allowed to continue, industries may go in for technological restructuring with less number of workers leading to reduction in employment.

VIEWS OF THE TRADE UNIONS

The Trade Unions are totally opposed to the idea of contracting of services and in jobs which are perennial in nature for following reasons:-

• Reduction of regular employment

• The contract labour generally belongs to weaker sections of the society and will be deprived of the benefits that accrue to regular employees.

• Efficiency will decrease as establishment will be deprived of experienced staff

• Coordination of activities of large number of contractors/sub-contractors will prove to be more time consuming and costly than in house activity.

• What is required is not privatization but in house improvements and restructuring.

• Out sourcing will only lead to a type of employment founded on discrimination and exploitation of contract labour in regard to wages paid, working conditions, etc.

VIEWS OF THE GOVERNMENT

The Government, at the moment, has undertaken a thorough review of the Act, keeping in view the aforesaid views of the employers’ association and

that of the trade unions. The changes to be made in the law are still being worked out

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The Paper was presented in the seminar organized in Kutch on 3rd November 2012------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


TECHNICAL PAPERS

BRIEF ABOUT NSC

National Safety Conference was first held in Calcutta on 5th-6th August, 1958. Till today ten safety conference has been held. Its Purpose is to improve

Safety Awareness in mining industry and to prevent Mine Disaster. The thrust area of 10th Safety conference was on Contractor working.

OBJECTIVE OF NSC

It is a platform to improve safety standard, health and welfare of persons employed in mines.

CONTRACT MINING & ITS BACKGROUND

Increased demands of infrastructure and industrial growth in the country have necessitated quantum jump in production of minerals, coal, oil and natural

gas during the past two decades. Multi-national companies joining in mining sector has changed not only the organizational structure of the companies

but also the nature of employment which is drifting from Company’s Owned employment to Contractual Employment through outsourcing of whole or

part of the mining operations such as loading and transportation, enrichment and beneficiation to safety and security.

MAIN FOCUS

• The main focus of contractors is on production.• They are least concerned about safety, which may leads to any kind of incident/accident.• This is due to their lower rate which they fix in their tender paper to win the tender.

EMPLOYMENT & ACCIDENT SCENARIO

An exercise on fatality to contractual employees in coal mines during the past decade was conducted by DGMS which revealed that:-

• Although overall employment in coal mines has reduced from 4,48,264 in the year 2000 to 3,73,950 in 2010 i.e. 16.58% reduction but the contractual

employment has increased from 10,123 in 2000 to 29,449 in the year 2010 i.e. almost 3 times increase. The percentage of increase in contractual employment is about 4 times during the period.

• Overall fatality rate in coal mines varies from 0.21 to 0.31 per thousand persons during the last decade. The fatality rate in within company’s owned employees vary from 0.21 to 0.30 ̀ whereas within the contractual employees it varies from 0.52 to 1.14 per thousand persons which is 2.47 to 5.42 times the fatality rate of Company’s owned employees.

The reasons of more fatality amongst contractual employees were also analyzed which revealed that:

• Long hours of work leading to tiredness and fatigue

• Lack of work knowledge and ignorance to apprehended hazards and dangers associated with work, working places and environment

• Deployment of unskilled contractual employees in place of skilled employee’s jobs without supervision

• Exposure of contractual employees on jobs with higher levels of risks and under hazardous condition

• Non-provision of personal protective equipment (PPEs) and also not using such PPEs wherever provided

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

In the light of the above, the following measures are required to be taken to reduce the trends of fatality of contractual employees in the mines and

activities incidental to or connected therewith:

• Contractual Employees should be selected on the basis of their educational, professional job-need based qualifications.

• Initial Training and skill development programmes should be framed on the basic of skill required which should be imparted for special period under

constant supervision and monitoring by specialists.

• After completion of initial training and skill development exercise, such employees should put on job training under skill employees with supervision

of competent person.

• Normal or regular jobs to contracture employees should be given only after undergoing above stages of training.

• Extended hours of work, exposure to risk and hazardous places and operations and development on skill jobs should not be allowed for contracture

employees.

• Initial and periodic medical examinations including occupational safety and health survilliance of all contractural employees shall be conducted by

an expert agency once in atleast 3 years or at leasser interval.

• Adequate lighting arrangement should be provided.

NSC RECOMMENDATION ON CONTRACT MINING AND ITS IMPLEMENTATION

Prepared by

Shri N.N. Mupkalwar & Shri Santanu Sadhu

GMDC, Mata No Madh Project.


TECHNICAL PAPERS

ABOUT CONTRACT MINING AT MATA NO MADH PROJECT

• Brief Description of the Contractors

At present there are mainly two contractors working at Mata No Madh Lignite Project:

1. M/S. P C PATEL & CO. _ for the removal of overburden.

2. M/S. UNIQUE INFRACON PVT. LTD. _ for lignite loading operation.

• Implementation of NSC Recommendation at Mata-No-Madh Lignite Project

10th NSCCLAUSE NO.

RECOMENDATION IMPLEMENTATION

Simultaneously with creation of facilities for OHS, it is also

necessary to improve quality of life of employees working in

Mining Industry by provision of well planned Housing Colonies

provided with all modern facilities such as good drinking water,

good sanitation, drainage and recreational facilities.

All of these facilities have been provided by the Contractors to

their employees.

R.O.Plants having capacity of 200 ltr/hour each have been set

up at the contractors’ camp.

NASA Toilet arrangement have been set up for the truck

drivers & cleaners.

Persons engaged in surface operations and in particular the

contractor workers, who incidentally are often inexperienced

and least, informed about job safety matters, need closure and

more competent supervision.

To minimize accidents due to surface operations, it would be

ensured that :

Implemented as follows

All persons engaged at any work within the mine premises

through the contractors have received relevant training and

other job-related briefings and that the drivers of vehicles

belonging to contractors entering the mine premises have

additionally been explained the salient provision’s of “Traffic

Rules”.

Suitable clauses (in consistence with risk of the work allotted)

shall be included in tender document (including NITs) stating

how the risk arising to men & material from the mining

operation / operations to be done by the contractors shall be

managed.

Higher management & Tender Committee is requested to

include the suitable clauses in consistence with risk of the

work alloted in tender document (incl.NIT) & how to overcome

from these risk.

Management provides Vocational Training to all the contract

persons before commencing their job. They are also

explained job related briefing and the salient provision of traffic

rules.

1.3 (b)

1.9

1.9 (a)

2.0 Employer’s Responsibilities

2.1 a)

2.1 b)

Ensure that contractors are familiar with the relevant parts of

the statute, health and safety management system and are

provided with copies of such documents prior to commencing

work.

It should be ensure that contractors are familiar with the

relevant parts of the statute, health and safety management

system & possess all necesary documents before

participating in tender.

2.1 C) (i)

Ensure that contractor’s arrangements for health and safety

management are consistent with those for the mine owner. All

the rules, regulations and bye-laws as applicable to the mine

owners are also applicable to the contractor.

The tender committee is requested to include this clause in

NIT & tender documents and should be mandatory for the

contractors.

2.1 C) (ii)

Details of the contractor’s workmen should be maintained in

the owner’s Form-B Register.

Details of Contractor’s workmen are maintained in Form-B

Register.


TECHNICAL PAPERS

10th NSCCLAUSE NO.


Whereas, C, D & E Registers for contractor men may be

maintained independently by the owner. All the above

Registers shall be kept in the mine office of the manager.

All the Contractors have been instructed to maintain their “D” &

“ E” Registers keeping at Manager’s office.2.1 C) (iii)

Ensure that contracts should preferably be of longer period

(three years), so that there is adequate scope of management

of safety by the contractor.

All of the Contractors are working for more than 3 years.

2.1(d)

Ensure that contractor’s provide the machinery, operator and

other staff with written safe work procedures for the work to be

carried out, stating clearly the risk involved and how it is to be

managed.

Safe Operating Procedure has been discussed with all

contract workers according to their kind of work. Written copy

of SOP has been displayed at various working point.2.1 (e)

Monitor all activities of the contractors to ensure that

contractors are complying with all the requirements of statute

and the system related to safety.

Proper monitoring is carried out by the safety personnel to

ensure that contractors are complying with all statute

requirements & system related to safety.2.1 (f) (i)

If found non-compliant of safety laws directing the contractor

to take action to comply with the requirements and for further

non-compliance, the contractor may be suitably penalized.

In case of non compliance of the safety laws, warning letter is

issued to that contractor.2.1 (f) (ii)

Clause to this affect may be a part of the agreement between

the employer & the contractor.

In case of non compliance of the safety laws, warning letter is

issued to that contractor.

2.1 (f) (iii)

Where a risk to health or safety of a person arises because of a

non-compliance directing the contractor to cease work until

the non-compliance is corrected.2.1 (g)

2.2 Contractor’s Responsibilities

Prepare written safe operating procedure (SOP) for the work

to be carried out, including an assessment of risk wherever

possible and safe methods to deal with it / them.

Written Safe Operating Procedure has been prepared which

includes an assessment of risk & safe method of operating. It

is discussed with the Concerned workers time to time.

2.2 a)

Provide a copy of the SOP to the person designated by the

mine owner who shall be supervising the contractor’s work.

Copy of SOP has been given to all of the contract supervisors.

2.2 b)

Keep an up to date SOP and provide a copy of changes to a

person designated by the mine owner.

Copy of the updated SOP regarding any changes from time to

time is provided to all of the concerned persons.2.2 c)

Ensure that all work is carried out in accordance with the

Statute and SOP and for the purpose he may deploy adequate

qualified and competent personnel for the purpose of carrying

out the job in a safe manner.

Working is being carried out in accordance with the statue and

SOP. All Contractors have been instructed to appoint qualified

& competent personnel to carry out this job.2.2 d)

For work of a specified scope / nature, develop and provide to

the mine owner a site specific code of practice.

In case of a specific scope/ nature, site specific code of

practice has been developed.2.2 e)


TECHNICAL PAPERS

10th NSCCLAUSE NO.


Ensure that all sub-contractors hired by him comply with the

same requirement as the contractor himself and shall be liable

for ensuring compliance all safety laws by the sub or sub-sub

contractors.

No sub-contractors is hired in the Mata No Madh Project.

2.2 (f)

All persons deployed by the contractor for working in a mine

must undergo vocational training, initial medical examination,

PME. They should be issued cards stating the name of the

contractor and the work and its validity period, indicating

status of VT & IME.

Contractors have provided VT, IME/PME to all of their

employees. VT card have been issued to all of them indicating

contractor’s name, kind of work, validity period & status of VT

& IME.

2.2 (g)

Every person deployed by the contractor in a mine must wear

safety gadgets to be provided by the contractor.Safety gadgets are provided by contractors to their staffs.

2.2 (h) (i)

If contractor is unable to provide, Owner / agent / manager of

the mine shall provide the same.2.2 (h) (ii)

The contractor shall submit to DGMS returns indicating –

Name of his firm, Registration number, Name & address of

person heading the firm, Nature of work, type of deployment of

work persons, Number of work persons deployed, how many

work persons hold VT Certificate, how many work persons

undergo IME and type of medical coverage given to the work

persons.

Contractors submit DGMS return monthly through the Mine

Manager. They have been instructed to submit their return

quarterly also & indicate all of these fields in their return.

2.2 (i) (i)

The return shall be submitted quarterly ( by 10th of April, July,

October & January) for contracts of more than one year.

However, for contracts of less than one year, returns shall be

submitted monthly

2.2 (i) (ii)

An employee must, while at work, take reasonable care for the

health and safety of people who are at the employee’s place of

work and who may be affected by the employee’s act or

omissions at work.

2.3 a)

Employees should be self conscious about their health &

safety of their working places. They have to discuss and

cooperate each other and with their employer also regarding

their requirement of safety, health & welfare activities under

act & regulation.An employee must, while at work, cooperate with his or her

employer or other persons so far as is necessary to enable

compliance with any requirement under the act or the

regulations that is imposed in the interest of health, safety and

welfare of the employee or any other person.

2.3 b)

Portability tests of drinking water supplied to the mine

employees, to be made mandatory once in a year irrespective

of its source, preferably after Rainy seasons, the sample of

water should be collected from the points of consumption.4.4

R.O Plant has been set up to supply purified drinking water to

the workers.

Initial Medical Examination shall be made mandatory for all

mining employees whether permanent, temporary or

contractual, before they are engaged in any mining job.4.5

No workers are allowed in mining job without IME

The frequency of PMEs should be brought down from existing

five years to three years for the mining employees above 45

years of age. This should be implemented in three years.4.6

This Provision has been followed up properly.


TECHNICAL PAPERS

10th NSCCLAUSE NO.


Standards of medical examination for both Initial and Periodic

should be modified as mentioned below in order to ensure

early diagnosis of more diseases caused or get aggravated

due to employment in mines.

Medical Examination for the departmental employees has

been carried out from NIMH, Nagpur. All contractors have

been instructed to make this examination from NIMH, Nagpur

for their employees.

4.7

Every mine should employ a sound risk analysis process,

should conduct a risk assessment and should develop a

safety management plan to address the significant hazards

identified by the analysis / assessment.

Safety Management Plan has been prepared and

implemented.

9.1

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[The paper was presentation by Shri Subhashchandra G. Varma, on behalf of the authors in the seminar organized in Kutch on 3rd November 2012]

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RECOMMEDATIONS OF 10THNATIONAL SAFETY CONFERENCE

ON CONTRACT MINING & IT’S IMPLEMENTATION

By

V K Singh

MANAGER (MINES)/V.T.OFFICER

GMDC Calcined Bauxite Project Gadhsisa

10th NSCCLAUSE NO.


Suitable clauses (consistent with risk of the work allotted) shall be

included in tender documents, stating how the risk arising to men &

material from the mining operations to be done by the contractors,

shall be managed.

Safety management system study document of mine should be

included with tender document.

From this contractor can study safety & occupational health system of

the mine in better way regarding its management & cost. This will guide

him regarding working cost. So, he will fill tender keeping in mind also

the cost of safety & occupational health system.

Employer’s Responsibilities

Ensure that contractors are familiar with relevant parts of the statue,

health and safety management system & are provided with copies of

such documents prior to commencing work.

Before commencing work, contractors are provided with copies of

CMR 1957 / MMR1961, Mines Rules1955, Mines Act 1952, Mines

Vocational Training Rules 1961 etc. With relevant permissions,

exemptions, circulars etc.

Ensure that contractor’s arrangement for health & safety management

are consistent with those for the mine owner. All rules, regulations and

bye-laws applicable to the mine owner are also applicable to the

contractor.

Details of contractor’s workmen should be maintained in the owner’s

Form-B Register; C, D & E Registers for contractor’s men may be

maintained independently by the owner. All the above registers shall

be kept in the mine office of the manager.

For this ensure that contractor will appoint sufficient number of

statutory & technical person, who will look after the work of all rules,

regulations and bye-laws.

Owner’s statutory person will verify the compliance of above & also

make arrangement for maintenance of Form B, C, D, & E of

Contractor’s Workmen.

Ensure that contract should preferably be of longer period (three

years), so that there is adequate scope of management of safety by the

contractor.

It is very necessary, because contractor will invest huge amount on

safety, only when his contract preferably be of longer period (three

years).

Ensure that contractors provide the machinery, operator and other

staff with written safe work procedures for the work to be carried out,

stating clearly the risk involved and how it is to be managed.

Employer ensure that written safe work procedures for the work to be

carried out, stating clearly the risk involved and how it is to be

managed, provided by contractor to the machinery, operator and other

staff.

Monitor all activities of the contractors to ensure that contractors are

complying with all requirements of the statute and the system related

to safety. If found non-compliance of safety laws, direct the contractor

to take action to comply with the requirements, and for further non-

compliance, the contractor may be suitably penalized. Clause to this

effect may be a part of the agreement between the employer & the

contractor.

Monitoring all activities of the contractors to ensure that contractors

are complying with all requirements of the statute and the system

related to safety, done by departmental statutory persons. In case of

non-compliance, the contractor may be suitably penalized according

to work agreement.

Monitoring all activities of the contractors to ensure that contractors

are complying with all requirements of the statute and the system

related to safety, done by departmental statutory persons. In case of

non-compliance, the contractor may be suitably penalized according

to work agreement.

This clause is implemented seriously without any compromising.


TECHNICAL PAPERS

10th NSCCLAUSE NO.


Prepare written safe operating procedure (SOP) for the work to be

carried out, including an assessment of risk, wherever possible ad safe

method to deal it.

Provide a copy of the SOP to the person designated by the mine owner

who shall be supervising the contractor’s work.

SOP will be prepared, keeping CMR1957 / MMR1961, Mines

Rules1955, Mines Act 1952, Mines Vocational Training Rules 1961,

relevant permissions, exemptions, circulars etc., in mind, and with the

direction of employer’s technical person.

The person designated by the mine owner shall ensure that SOP is

perfect in every respect, if not then necessary correction will be done

accordingly.

Contractor’s Responsibilities

Prepare written safe operating procedure (SOP) for the work to be

carried out, including an assessment of risk, wherever possible ad safe

method to deal it.

Provide a copy of the SOP to the person designated by the mine owner

who shall be supervising the contractor’s work.

SOP will be prepared, keeping CMR1957 / MMR1961, Mines

Rules1955, Mines Act 1952, Mines Vocational Training Rules 1961,

relevant permissions, exemptions, circulars etc., in mind, and with the

direction of employer’s technical person.

The person designated by the mine owner shall ensure that SOP is

perfect in every respect, if not then necessary correction will be done

accordingly.

Keep an up-to-date SOP and provide a copy of changes to a person

designated by the mine owner. Ensure that all work is carried out in

accordance with the statute and SOP and for the purpose he may

deploy adequate qualified and competent personnel for the purpose of

carrying out the job in a safe manner.

According to change in working condition and technique SOP will be

up-to-dated and it should be checked by person designated by the

mine owner. It should be ensure from both management and

contractor side, and qualification & competency of contractors

personnel should be checked by employer.

For work of a specified scope / nature, develop & provide to the mine

owner a site specific code of practice.

Ensure that all sub-contractors hired by him comply with the same

requirement as the contractor himself and shall be liable for ensuring

compliance with all safety law by the sub-contractors.

It will be prepared by a technical group having member both from

contractor & employer.

It is the full responsibility of main contractor with prior approval of

employer.

All persons deployed by the contractor for working in a mine must

undergo vocational training, initial medical examination, PME. They

should be issued cards stating name of the contractor and the work

and its validity period, indicating status of VT & IME.

Training will be done in VTC according to the category & respective

syllabus & IME/PME will be done by medical officer according to new

enlarged form-O. The identity card should be signed by agent /

manager of the mine.

Every person deployed by the contractor in a mine must wear safety

gadgets to be provided by the contractor. If contractor is unable to

provide, owner / agent / manager of the mine shall provide the same

The statutory person of the employer ensure that every person

deployed by the contractor in mine must wear safety gadgets.

The contractor shall submit to DGMS returns indicating–name of his

firm, registration number, name & address of person heading the firm,

nature of work, type of deployment of work persons, number of work

persons deployed, how many work persons hold VT certificate, how

many work persons have undergone IME & the type of medical

coverage given to work persons. The return shall be submitted

quarterly (by 10th of April, July, October & January) for contracts of

more than one year. However, for contracts of less than one year,

returns shall be submitted monthly.

This return should be filled & signed by statutory person of the

contractor and its copy will be provided to employerals.

An employee must, while at work, take reasonable care for health and

safety of people who are at the employee’s place of work and who may

be affected by the employee’s act or omission at work.

Regulation 41 of MMR1961, duties of persons employed in mines are

also applicable to the contractor’s employees. The implementation of

this clause will be ensured by employer’s statutory personnel.


TECHNICAL PAPERS

10th NSCCLAUSE NO.


Regulation 41 of MMR1961, duties of persons employed in mines are

also applicable to the contractor’s employees. The implementation of

this clause will be ensured by employer’s statutory personnel.

During basic training of employee in VTC, Act or the Regulations that

are imposed in the interest of health, safety & welfare of the employee,

must be guided and in field it will ensured by statutory persons of the

employee.

CONCLUSION

• After five years of 10th safety conference, till now there is not very satisfactory progress on the issue of contractor mining. In present scenario, maximum big mechanized mines are running by contractors. Forgetting tender, they are ready to work at lowest cost, by compromising on health, safety & environment issues. So, it is also the duty of employer to fix minimum cost of legal mining, below which tender will be technically disqualified, and also keep care that contractor will be well experienced and reputed name in mining operation.

• Contractor employee should be also well qualified & well experienced.

• A system of approval of list of authorized mining contractor may be developed by DGMS.

• An attempt from all three sides (employer, contractor & employee) will make the dream true of contractual work vis-a-vis safety.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The paper was presented in the Seminar organised in Kutch on 3rd November 2012.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


TECHNICAL PAPERS

Preface:

Mining of mineral has been one of the most common activities since ancient and is continue. Demand of energy is increases day by day. Main source of

energy in India is Electricity and a major part of electricity is produced by thermal power stations. Coal demand by thermal power station is growing

rigorously. To fulfill demand of coal it is necessary to operate the coal mines by out sourcing. . Continuous and quality production needs advance

technology, adopting best mining practices and develop matching infrastructure. Contract mining is the effective tool to achieve continuous quality

product. Contractors are more concern with cost reduction and hence more vulnerable to safety. Hence National safety Conferences are now more

emphases on contractors working.

NSC RECOMMENDATION ON CONTRACT MINING AND ITS IMPLEMENTATION:

(A case study) Suresh Chandra Jhagrawat,

Manager (Mines), GMDC, Rajpardi.

STATISTICS

Total coal mines operated in India: >500 Total Opencast coal mines operated in India :286

Coal demand in India: 696 MT(FY 2011-12) Coal produced by India:534 MT (FY 2011-12)

To fulfill the gap between demand and supply it is necessary to operate the mine with modern technology and adopt better mining practices.

NEED OF CONTRACT MINING

In the modern era it is difficult to survive in the market unless the competitive cost of production and timely supply of quality product is ensured.There are

some common reasons for opting contract mining by the owners, these are:

1. Reduce operating cost.

2. Timely supply of quality product to consumers.

3. Smooth and continuous operation.

4. Non availability of sufficient internal resources and

5. Share risks with contractors.


TECHNICAL PAPERS

EMPLOYMENT AND FATALITY

Company employee

Contractual Employee

Fatality Rate (Overall)

Fatality Rate (Company owned)

Fatality Rate (Contractual )

2000

4,48,264

10,123

0.21

0.21

0.52

2010

3,73,950

29,449

0.31

0.30

1.14

Remark

Reduction 16.58%

Increase 3 times

Per 1000 person

Per 1000 person

Per 1000 person

(source : DGMS(T) cir no 1. 03.01.12)

COMPANY OWNED & CONTRACTUAL EMPLOYEE COMPANY OWNED & CONTRACTUAL EMPLOYEE

CONTRACT MINING AND SAFETY

The option of contract mining, though help in cost reduction, it is more vulnerable to safety in mines. Followings are the problem areas for safety, health

and welfare:

1. In many cases, the existing mine management structure is not suitable and effective to control the interfaces with contractors.

2. Big contractors awards parts of the job to petty contractors not having adequate capacity or concern for safety.

3. Employees are purely temporary, not conversant with mining laws.

4. Employees are not given required training.

5. Contractors worker have a more risk taking attitude.

6. More working hours/fatigue

7. Lack of medical surveillance and welfare amenities.

Having needs of contract mining vis-a vis safety of mines, 10th conference on safety in mines had given more weightage on contract mining.

Recommendation of NSC’s and status of its implementation is summarized ahead slides:

HISTORY OF NSC AND CONTRACT MINING

First conference on Safety in mines was held on 5-6 August of 1958 and 10 numbers of NSC were held so far. Clause regarding contractor was firstly

incorporated in the 8th Safety Conference and in the 10th conference maximum stress was given on the contract mining. NSC’s held so far is as follows:

1st National Conference on Safety : 5-6 August 1958

2nd National Conference on Safety : 9-10 July 1966

3rd National Conference on Safety : 14-15 July 1973

4th National Conference on Safety : 24th December 1978

5th National Conference on Safety : 26-27 December 1980

6th National Conference on Safety : 13-14 January 1986

7th National Conference on Safety : 19-20 December 1986

8th National Conference on Safety : 14th May 1993

9th National Conference on Safety : 2-3 February 2000

10th National Conference on Safety : 26-27 November 2007


TECHNICAL PAPERS

NSC, CONTRACT MINING AND RAJPARDI

Protection of employees from hazards in the occupational environment is important from both from the humanization point of view and for the overall

welfare of the organization. Following are the recommendations made in various safety conferences and status of implementation in Amod Lignite Mine

(Rajpardi):

8th National Conference on Safety in mines:

Clause 5.6

*States about closer and more competent supervision of contractor workers.Contractor workers are working under close supervision of departmental as well as contractor supervisors.* Relevant training & other job related briefings to contractor worker. Initial training as well as refresher training has been imparted.*Each and every operation carried out through contractor worker shall be placed under the charge of competent supervisor duly appointed and

authorized by the management. Contractor working is carried under close supervision of departmental as well as contractor supervisors.

9th National Conference on Safety in mines

Clause 4.3

*States about Ergonomical assessment including air conditioned operator cabin, comfortable operator seat etc. All excavators, dumpers and graders are having Air conditioned cabin with comfortable driving seat.

[*Copies of the statute applicable to the mine is provided to the contractor.]

10th National Conference on Safety in mines:

GMDC (Employer)’s responsibilities:

Clause 2.1(a): Suitable clauses shall be included in tender document stating how the risk arising to men and material from the mining

operation/operations to be done by the contractors shall be managed. Clauses related to stating how the risk arising to men and material from the mining

operations are included in recently awarded work order .

Clause 2.1(b): Ensure that contractors are familiar with the relevant parts of the statute, health and safety management system.

Clause 2.1(c): Ensure that contractors arrangement for health and safety management are consistent with those for the mine owner.[* Rules, regulations and bye-law as applicable to the mine owner are also strictly implementing to the contractors. Form “B”, “D” and “E” are maintained

independently.]

Clause 2.1 (d): Ensure that contract should preferably be of longer period (Three years).[*Recently awarded contract is for five years.]

Clause 2.1 (f): Monitor all activities of the contractors are compiling with all the requirements of the statute and system related to safety.[* Monitoring in all level starting from manager to ground level supervisors is being done in respect of compiling with all the requirements of the statute

and system related to safety.]

View Of Mines Operated By Contract Mining Representative from regulatory body, mine managementcontractor and contractor’s employee discussing on minesafety at mine site.


TECHNICAL PAPERS

Contractors Responsibilities:

Clause 2.2 (a): Prepare written Safe operating Procedure (SOP) for the work to be carried out including assessment of risk, wherever possible and safe

method to deal with them.[* Contractors having no technical hand to prepare SOP. Risk assessment is carried out departmentally and continue. SOP for different operations are

made. Contractors are asked to prepare SOP.]

Clause 2.2(d): Ensure that all work is carried out in accordance with the statute and SOP and for the purpose he may deploy adequate qualified and

competent personnel for the purpose.[* Trained works supervisors and competent staff are deployed by the contractors.]

Clause 2.2(e): Ensure work of specified scope/nature, develop and provide to the mine owner a site specific code of practice.[* Contractors are asked to prepare site specific code of practice.] Clause 2.2(f): Petty Contractors:[* No Petty contractors.]

Clause 2.2(g): All persons deployed by the contractors must be vocationally trained and medically fit. [* All persons employed by the contractor is Vocationally trained. IME is done of all employees.][* Work of issuing Identity card is in progress].

Clause 2.2(h): Every person deployed by the contractor in the mine must wear safety gadgets.[*Safety gadgets like safety shoes, helmets, safety goggles, florescent jackets, safety belts etc are provided and wearing by the work persons while on

duty.]

Clause 2.2(I): The contractors shall submit to DGMS returns indicating name of his firm.[*Contractor is doing so.

Clause 8: Submission of quarterly return.[* Work is recently awarded, QR is due in January 2013.]

Clause 4.3: Ergonomical assessment of machine: All the machines being used are ergonomically designed and having AC operators cabin.

ADVANTAGE OF NSC’S

To The Industry:

1. 10th Safety Conference makes the contractor more responsible towards the safety of the mine, helpful to the management.2. It Provides liberty to the management for engagement of lower supervisory cadre staff by the contractor and maintenance of their record separately. 3. 3. Safety standard of parent company will rise.

To the Contractors:

1. Contractors have to make and implement the Safe Operating Procedure before commencement of work. This safe operating procedure should be implemented by the management and the outsourcing agency religiously for successful implementation of system of outsourcing so as to compete in global market.- Trained and healthy workforce makes the working to its excellent.

To the employee:

1. By implementing recommendation of NSC, worker can get better working environment .2. Employee can get better Health and welfare amenities.3. Accident free environment boots up the moral of the employee hence production and productivity will increase.

BENEFIT OF ERGONOMICS: A CASE STUDY(Clause 4.3 of 10th NSC )

Here I am trying to explain how productivity is increased by using AC operators cabin instead of Non AC operators cabin by this case study.

Difference in overburden quantity having AC operator’s cabin and Without AC operators’ cabin:

No. of trip per day/dumper

No. of trip per year/dumper

No of trip in 5 year/dumper

No of trip in 5 yr by 50 dumpers

Quantity of OB by 50 dumpers in 5 yrs(15M3/ Dumper)

Quantity in Rs (@ Rs40/ m3)

Difference in Rs (A)

With AC Dumper

80

29200

146000

7300000

109500000

4380000000

82,12,50,000/-

Without AC dumper

65

23725

118625

5931250

88968750

3558750000


TECHNICAL PAPERS

Diesel consumption will be increases due to operation of AC in dumper and following table shows the rise in diesel cost due to AC operation.

With AC Dumper

15

300

109500

547500

27375000

136875000

13,68,75,000

Without AC dumper

13.5

270

98550

492750

24637500

1231875000

Diesel Consumption per hour (Liters)

Diesel Consumption per day (Liters)

Diesel Consumption in a year (Liters)

Diesel Consumption in 5 years (Liters)

Diesel Consumption in 5 years by 50 dumpers (Liters)

Cost of diesel for 5 years (@Rs 50/liters)

Extra diesel cost due to AC operation (B)

Cost Saving 82,12,50,000 - 13,68,75,000/-= 68,43,75,000/-

Above table shows the reduction of cost by 68,43,75,000/- with using AC operators cabin. This is a benefit of ERGONOMICS as mentioned in

clause 4.3 of 10th NSC.,

EXTRACT:

* National safety conferences is a best platform for mine owners, mine operators, regulatory bodies and trade unions to share their views regarding

safety of the mine, materials and persons deployed therein.

* Representative from contractors shall also give proper weightage as most of the opencast mines is going to outsourced. Recommendations

generated should to implement by its best way and maximum extent.

* Recommendations of NSC’s are beneficiaries to persons employed in the mine, profitable to the industry and helpful to regulatory body to

regulate the mine safely.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Paper was presented in the seminar organized in Kutch on 3rd November 2012

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


TECHNICAL PAPERS

With the increased demands and accelerated growth of Indian economy, there is immense pressure on mining sector to extract minerals, particularly on

Coal & Lignite, at faster pace. The deposits which were considered uneconomic and unviable are being extracted from difficult geo-mining domains.

Heavy Mechanization and introduction of New Technologies have made this possible. There is all round growth and advancement in application of latest

and the modern technologies in mining sector.

The depth of opencast mining has advanced to a range of 250 m to 300 m with very high stripping ratios up to 1 in 15 and even more. Such mines will

generate huge volumes of waste resulting in problems of land and dumps stability. Dumps of heights from 60 m are now being planned up to 120 m and

more. Lignite mining in Gujarat has already gone to depth of more than 100 m with stripping ratio of over 1:13. Panandhro mine has already reached its

peak capacity of 8 million tonnes per annum long back.

Problems associated with such large capacity deep Opencast mines would be to deal with Pit and Dump Slope stability problems. The advancement

made in the loading and transport sector has resulted in deployment of machines of extra large capacities which were non-existent a decade back.

Similarly in Opencast Mines, the New Technology like High Wall Mining, In-Pit Cutting, Crushing, Loading and Transport by Belt conveyors are being

planned.

Mining operations were, till recently, used to be carried out departmentally. Most of mining and allied operations are now outsourced. The current trend is

to outsource mining by MDO system whereby not only the mining operations but also the entire allied activities are outsourced for a very large period and

even for the entire life of the mine. The trend has taken a start in Gujarat also. The mine management, in such cases, provides statutory manpower only

and in some cases even this responsibility is also shared by the MDO. The scope of responsibilities of the Contractors has thus increased a lot. The 9th &

10th Conferences in Safety in Mines have dealt with some issues pertaining to Contractual mining. But the Contractors, now to be better known as the

MDOs, have to be more conversant and competent to deal with all major issues. The need of the hour is for a Scientific & Professional management.

The challenges for the Mining Contractors are:

a) To select & provide adequate infrastructure for maintenance and operation of Large Capacity Earth Moving Machines;

b) To Create Compatible infrastructure such as standards of Haul Roads and Benches in Opencast Mines;

c) To understand and solve Problems of Pit and Dump Slope Stability;

d) Prepare and Implement a Customized Training and HR Capacity Building Plan;

e) To understand the Mining Plans, to design the periodic mining schemes and to execute operations accordingly;

f) To Provide solutions for Mine Environment and to provide for system for Dust, Noise and Vibration Control;

g) To understand the various mining related statutes and to implement these provisions more seriously, giving greater importance to the safety of men

and machines;

h) To understand and implement latest Information Technology and Communication systems;

i) To Provide for an effective Emergency Response Mechanism at Mines; etc.

1. Recommendations of IX & X Conference related to the Contractual Workings:

Provisions have been made in the recommendations of IX & X Conferences in relation to Contractual mining. These relates to responsibilities of

Employers, the Contractors and the Employees. The Contractors’ responsibilities are summarised below:

(a) Prepare written Safe Operating Procedure (SOP) for the work to be carried out, including an assessment of risk, wherever possible and safe

methods to deal with it/them,

(b) Provide a copy of the SOP to the person who shall be supervising the work,

(c) Keep an up to date SOP and provide a copy of changes to a person designated,

(d) Ensure that all work is carried out in accordance with the Statute and SOP and for the purpose he may deploy adequate qualified and competent

personnel for the purpose of carrying out the job in a safe manner,

(e) For work of a specified scope/nature, develop site specific code of practice.

(f) Ensure that all sub-contractors hired by him comply with the same requirement as the contractor himself and shall be liable for ensuring compliance

all safety laws by the sub or sub-sub contractors.

(g) All persons deployed by the contractor for working in a mine must undergo vocational training, initial medical examination, PME. They should be

issued cards stating the name of the contractor and the work and its validity period, indicating status of VT & IME.

(h) Every person deployed by the contractor in a mine must wear safety gadgets to be provided by the contractor. If contractor is unable to provide,

owner/agent/manger of the mine shall provide the same.

(i) The contractor shall submit to DGMS returns indicating – Name of his firm, Registration number, Name and address of person heading the firm,

Nature of work, type of deployment of work persons, Number of work persons deployed, how many work persons hold VT Certificate, how many

work persons undergone IME and type of medical coverage given to the work persons. The return shall be submitted quarterly (by 10th of April, July,

October & January) for contracts of more than one year. However, for contracts of less than one year, returns shall be submitted monthly.

Development of Health & Safety Management System in Contractual Mining

Compiled by

S N Mathur, MEAI Council Member

[Former GM (LP) GMDC & ED (Mines) GIPCL

Currently Independent Mining Advisor & Consultant]


TECHNICAL PAPERS

2. Other Recommendations:

With the increased scope of work, some of the recommendations of IX & X Conferences, which were supposed to be taken care by the Mine

Management, will now be expected to be within the scope of the Contractors, particularly in the scope of the MDOs. The Contractors / MDOs have to

learn to share these responsibilities, willingly or under the pressure of penalties and Mine managements have to ensure that these form the part of the

Tender Documents. These may include:

2.1 Occupational Health Surveillance in mining industry:

a) To establish Occupational Health Services as recommended by 7th Conference,

b) Computerisation of all records of medical and environmental surveillance.

c) To set up a Periodic Medical Examination (PME) Centre with the facility for chest radiographs, lung function tests, arrangement for classification of

chest radiographs and also wherever required facilities for audiometry.

d) All chest radiographs of Initial and Periodical Medical Examinations to be classified for detection, diagnosis and documentation of pneumoconiosis

in accordance with ILO classification for pneumoconiosis.

e) The PME Medical Officer in every PME Centre to be trained in occupational health and use of ILO classification for pneumoconiosis.

f) Noise mapping, based on the various machines being used in concerned mines, along with personal noise dosimetry of individual workmen

exposed to noise level above 85 db(A).

g) Vibration studies of various mining machinery required to be done before their introduction in mining operations as per ISO standards.

h) Ergonomical assessment of all latest machines, before their introduction into mining operation as per ISO standards. Ergonomical assessment

should include:

* Assessment of work process.

* Assessment of working Aids/tools

* Assessment of working posture

i) Potability tests of drinking water supplied to the mine employees, once in a year irrespective of its source, preferably after Rainy seasons, the sample

of water should be collected from the points of consumption;

j) Initial medical examination shall be made mandatory for all mining employees whether permanent, temporary or contractual, before they are

engaged in any mining job.

k) The frequency of periodic medical examinations should be brought down from existing five years to three years for the mining employees above 45

years of age. This should be implemented in three years.

l) Standards of medical examinations for both Initial and Periodic should be modified as mentioned below in order to ensure early diagnosis of more

diseases caused or get aggravated due to employment in mines.

m) Employees engaged in driving/ HEMM operation jobs should undergo eye refraction test at least once in a year.

2.2 Quality Control for Improving Safety

a) The Contractor / MDO may setup quality control cell to identify critical items which require testing for quality assurance at the time of procurement

and during use and arrange testing of the same. Testing facilities may be setup wherever feasible,

b) Any defect or failure of approved items or those having BIS certification may be promptly brought to the notice of the appropriate authority for further

action.

2.3 Increasing Effectiveness of Worker’s Participation in Safety Management

a) All mines using heavy earth moving machinery for exploitation of minerals, where 100 (hundred) or more number of workers are employed, should

appoint Workmen’s Inspectors.

b) In large mines sectional / departmental safety committees under the main safety committee may be constituted for specific area of operation.

2.4 Communication and Tracking System

a) Formulate and implement a comprehensive communication protocol clearly assigning duties and responsibilities of persons at various levels.

b) Effective communication system should be established in the following manner:

(i) In large mines effective wireless communication within the mine with face supervisors & attendance rooms and also at offices and residences of

Managers & other key officials, and

(ii) Mobile / landline telephone at offices and residences of Manager & other key officials.

c) Strengthen communication system within DGMS offices and mine sites, besides other concerned agencies.

2.5 Constant Vigil on Dangers from Surface and Underground Water Sources

a) Through Use of fast and accurate mine surveying and Platting Instruments along with associated Software.

b) Use of latest Technology like GPS, GPR, Micro-Seismic Systems to monitor the workings, barriers, water bodies and other associated alarm system

c) Dump Slope Design and Monitoring using Latest Gadgets like Targetless Theodolight, Infrared Sensors and Monitoring Instruments.

d) Use and Application of latest Apparatus and Gadgets for emergency escape devices

e) Embankments provided against river and jore to guard against inundation should be designed properly keeping in view the engineering parameters.

The details of such construction should be properly shown in the working plan and water danger plan.

f) Mechanism may be developed for warning mines about impending heavy rains similar to warning of impending cyclone issued in coastal areas for

taking necessary action. Also coordination with concerned agencies/departments about opening of dams in the rivers on the upstream side should

be examined.


TECHNICAL PAPERS

3. Safety Management System: Strategies for Implementation and Path Forward

a) Every mine should employ a sound risk analysis process, should conduct a risk assessment, and should develop a safety management plan to

address the significant hazards identified by the analysis/ assessment.

b) The managements of every mining company should adopt the process of safety management system and commit itself for proper formulation and

implementation of the same in totality. Necessary resources should be allocated for implementation of the control measures identified by the risk

assessment process.

c) Necessary training of all employees of mining companies should be organized with the help of experts, both national and international, for optimal

adoption of the safety management system.

3.1 Accident Reduction Program

a) Identification of Fatal Risk Areas and Corrective Measures:

i. Fire and Spontaneous Heating through continuous monitoring and analysis of data and information;

ii. Introduction of safe methods and system in adverse geo-mining conditions.

b) Reduction of Accidents during Transportation.

c) Elimination of Risk of Silicosis and Pneumoconiosis in Mines through use of effective dust control measures. Regular Medical Surveillance on

identified group of persons to monitor the risk of such disease.

d) Introduction of latest technology for anti collision and personal emergency devices to track the men and machinery in mines.

3.2 Provision of Rear Vision system and Proximity Sensors in Equipments

a) Several accidents have occurred in opencast mines while reversing of equipment especially in dumpers / tippers. The manufactures provide only

audio visual alarm and rear view mirrors in the equipment. Although the Audio Visual alarm gives warning to the work persons, the driver/ operator does

not have a clear view of the rear side of the equipment. It is a practice in mines that the operator takes the assistance of a spotter while reversing. The

spotters are exposed to danger of being crushed by equipment. The audio visual alarm warning at times may not provide sufficient time for the spotter

and others to escape from the site and incidents/ accidents takes place.

b) To avoid above kind of situations, it is strongly recommended that

I) REAR VISION SYSTEM may be installed in the equipment especially in dumpers/tippers. The system shall be provided with a monitor which can be

installed inside the cabin of the operator and an automatic switch on the reverse gear actuates ultra low light camera with sufficient number of infrared

LEDS installed at rear of the vehicle which provide picture in nearly pitch dark and poor weather conditions and a clear and sharp picture is displayed on

the monitor. The camera shall be housed in a fully water proof case which is shock and vibration resistance and suitable for high pressure washing. The

two components shall be connected by a suitable detachable cable with water proof joints.

Rear Vision System in Equipments

ii) The Mine operator, in collaboration with equipment manufacturers, may also evolve a system of proximity warning device, consisting of sensors

and warning system, in HEMM and initiate measures for its implementation. Such systems are now installed in cars also.

A range of inductive proximity sensors for use on mobile vehicle available in five styles to monitor the position of doors, ladders, outriggers and

booms.

The units are constructed of PBT housings and durable materials to resist extreme shocks and vibrations, and are said to be easily installed on a

wide range of mobile vehicles. The sensors have a temperature range from -400 to 850 C. Optional pigtail versions with standard automotive

connections are also available.


TECHNICAL PAPERS

3.3 Some Important Safety Features for HEMM:

a) Dumpers:

• Mechanical steering locking to prevent untoward movement of steering wheel and tyre while work persons working below the cabin while engine is

running.

• Blind spot mirror apart from rear view mirror to enable operator to have clear visibility of blind spot in and around dumpers.

• Mechanical type Anti collision device to avoid head to tail collision on haul road such as tail gate, bumper extension or any other strong device.

b) Excavators:

• All functions cut off switch,

• Swing Motor Brake

• Vent valve on top of hydraulic tank should be able to be removed without any tool

• A baffle plate between cold zone and hot zone.

• Provision for Limiting of hydraulic cylinders – Stoppers.

c) Dozers:

• Roll over protection

• Turbo charger guard

• Fire resistant hydraulic hoses and wiring near hot zone.

d) Common:

• Fire resistant hydraulic hoses in place or ordinary hoses to decrease the chance of fire. All the sleeves and conducts where cable /wire are passed

shall be fire resistant.

• Seat belt for operator

• The approved type of fire suppression system shall be provided in all equipment.

• The stability of HEMM shall be carried out at least once in year and after every major over haul by an independent agency.

Features:

• Rage from 1m to over 100m.

• Operates in poor visibility environments (such as smoke, dust, dirt, darkness)

• No constant cleaning or maintenance.

• Does not distract driver from normal vehicle operation.

• No infrastructure required (such as GPS satellites)

• The distance and types of objects detected are individually programmable

Body Guard proximity detection and warning system


TECHNICAL PAPERS

3.4 Separate road for Light Motor Vehicles

A considerable number of fatal accidents occurred in the mine premises of Mechanized Open Cast Mines when Dumpers of high capacity rare over Light

Motor Vehicles on the haul roads. Enquiry revealed that' these accidents could have been averted if the Light Motor Vehicles would not have been

allowed to ply on the haul roads and a separate road for Light Motor vehicles would have been provided and maintained in the mine premises.

Therefore, in the interest of the safety of the persons employed in minutes, a separate road in the mine premises for the light Motor Vehicles-used for

inspection and transportation should be provided and maintained. This road should not cross the Haul Road at any place in the Mine premises.

3.5 General:

a) Necessary facilities for monitoring the environmental parameters should be provided at mines. Facilities of continuous type monitoring should be

installed.

b) In mines where long or arduous travel is involved, arrangement for transport of men should be made.

c) All front-line supervisory officials like Sirdars / Mates, Overmen /Foremen, Surveyors, Electrical/ Mechanical supervisors/Chargemen / Foremen as

well as persons supervising other surface operations should be imparted structured training in safety management, for at least two weeks, once in

every five years, covering about 20% strength every year.

d) The recommendations of DGMS (Tech) Circular No.18 of 1975 shall be implemented forthwith. (Protection of workers against Noise & Vibration in

Working Environment.)

e) In order to check entry of unauthorized vehicles in mine premises, properly manned check gate(s) at the entrance(s) should be established where

record of entry and exit of each such vehicle should be maintained.

f) Persons engaged in surface operations, who are often inexperienced and least informed about job-safety matters, need closer and more competent

supervision. To minimize accidents due to surface operations it would be ensured that:

i. All persons engaged at any work within the mine premises have received relevant training and other job-related briefings and that the drivers of

vehicles have additionally been explained the salient provisions of "traffic rules".

ii. Appropriate training schedules and modalities in this regard should drawn up and implemented.

g) The portion of surface haul road in mine premises where there is heavy traffic of men and machines should have separate lane properly fenced off

from the haul road for pedestrians and two wheelers.

3.6 Control Measures directed by DGMS:

Some of the hazards and control measures suggested / directed by the DGMS with relation to opencast mining are summarised in the table below:

Circ. No. Sub-Hazard Identified Control Measures

Either due to Head on or head to tail5 0f 2010

Retro reflective reflectors on all sides for visibility of truck

during night. Proximity warning device to alert operator

when approaching after vehicles I obstruction. Auto dipping

System to reduce glaring on eyes of operator during night

operation.

09 of 2008Road width not less than three time width of the largest

Vehicle playing on road plus 5mCollision of dumpers due to poor clear view

09 of 2008

corner and bends to ensure clear view of not less than 3

times the breaking distance of longest HEMM working at 40

Km/hour or provide two roads of 2 times width plus 3 m of

largest vehicle plying on the road with a strong road divider

at centre with adequate lighting and reflector along the

divider

Gradient not more than 1 in 16. Ramps with 1 in 10

gradients should not be more than 10m at one stretch and

permission shall be obtained.

Front and rear collision of dumpers on haul road.

09 of 2008Provide with strong parapet wall/embankment of following

dimensions. Just dumping of mud or OB shall not treated as

strong parapet wall

Width at top-not less than 1m. Width at bottom-not less than

2.5m. The height not less than the diameter of tyre of largest

vehicle plying on road

Toppling from haul road edge


TECHNICAL PAPERS


Over speeding or rash driving by operators5 0f 2010

Limiting speed device decide the maximum speed of

vehicle to be operated in mine. The device may be

Electronic or mechanical type speed governors.

Injury to men or damage to equipment While reversing5 0f 2010

Audio-visual alarm The audio-visual alarm provided should

confirm to Circular No 01 of20l0: Blind spot mirror. Rear

Vision System To assist operator during reversing Circular

No. 12 of 2009

Due to work person crossing the blind space in and around9 of 2008

Blind spot mirror apart from rear view mirror to enable

operator to have clear visibility of blind spot in and around

dumpers.

Fire5 0f 2010

Fire resistant hoses at hot zone. Electric Wires and sleeves

are to be of fire resistant quality. Turbo Charge Guard and

exhaust tube coated with heat insulated paint.

Preventing fires in Heavy Earth Moving Machineries.10 of 2004

Isolate and enclose oil- bearing hosepipes from hot spots.

Provision of automatic fire detection and suppression

system

Driving with body raised, resulting snapping

of over head conductor or dumper toppling5 of 2010

Body lifting position locking arrangement. A hooter along

with an indication is provided to indicate the body is still in

lifted position

Short circuit due to problems in Auto-electrical system5 of 2010 Battery Cut off Switch:

Fall of stone on dumper operator’s cabin5 of 2010 Canopy shall cover the operator's cabin fully.

Un Controlling of running downhill 5 of 2010

Exhaust/ Retard Brake: (circular 02 of 2004). Load Indicator

and Recorder Enables management to detect and prevent

over loading

Detaching of dumper propeller shaft,

piercing on ground &Toppling 5 of 2010 Propeller shaft guard ( circular 10 of 1999).

Failure of brakes 5 of 2010Provision of two brakes, One of brakes shall be fail safe.

circular 09 of 1999.

Noise Levels and Noise Induced

Hearing Loss among mine workers..3 of 2007

Awareness Programmes on Noise and its effects.

Audiometric Examination of workers.Noise Level Surveys

& Exposure Dose. Monitoring. Personal hearing Protection


TECHNICAL PAPERS


Bursting of vessel under pressure.7 0f 2003

Assessment of the safe working pressure shall also be

done based on residual thickness, pitting and corrosions of

the wall of such pressure vessels.. Where it is not possible

to Measure the thickness of wall physically, use of

ultrasonic thickness gauge

Accidents due to operator' negligence.

harsh driving and lack ,of knowledge 0 equipments. 4 of 2011

Provide Simulator training for operators in heavy earth

moving mining equipment.

Accidents due to poor condition of equipments1 of 2009

Surveying of equipment by management along with

Original Equipment Manufacturer and an independent

agency

Mechanic getting injured due movement of steering wheel

with tyre while maintenance of dumper with engine on 09

2008

Mechanical steering locking to prevent untoward

movement of steering wheel and tyre while work persons

working below the cabin while engine is running.

The Time has now come for a Mining Contractor to share all the responsibilities of a Mine Owner and ensure compliance of all the

recommendations Safety Conferences and the provisions made under different statutes. The ‘Mine Owner’ as defined in the proposed

amendments of the Mines Act also includes a Contractor as Mine Owner. The Contractors, therefore, should now mentally prepare themselves for

these increased responsibilities.

References:

1. Recommendations of IX & X Conferences on Safety in Mines;

2. DGMS Circulars;

3. DG’s Vision document, dated 1st May 2009;

4. Articles written by Shri B Arunachalam, Manager Group VT Society, Hospet and circulated vide DGMS mail list (yahoo group).

5. Article on “BodyGuard - Proximity Detection and Warning Alarm System” by Orbit Communications Pty Ltd 2008, on website.

6. Article by Shri NK Nuwal, Ambuja Cement Ltd. on “Best Practices and Innovation”.

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The Paper was prepared for presentation in the seminar organized in Kutch on 3rd November 2012

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TECHNICAL PAPERS

Central and State Geological Departments have conducted investigations for silica sand at Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan,

Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Orissa. Exploration result has established sizable reserves of 983.5 million tones of all categories at national level.

Few states have done beneficiation studies for the deposits. For the consumption of Glass, Foundry, silica sand grain size distribution, shape,

interlocking and composition are the essential criteria. Impurities of iron oxide, chromite, titanium, zirconium and inconsistency of deposits are the major

problems of the consuming sectors.

Process of crushing, grinding, desliming, attrition, scrubbing magnetic separation, jet-washing are adopted for different deposits of Rajasthan, UP,

Orissa, Gujarat and Maharashtra states for better recovery and good concentrate. Physico-chemical characterization of the deposits is not established,

so large areas lying unexploited for industrial utility.

Principal producers of silica sand are in the private sector. Public sector “Andhra Pradesh Mineral Development Corporation” (APMDC) and

“Maharashtra Minerals Limited” (MML) plants are not able to fulfill requirements of the consuming sectors.

Consumption of silica sand in Chemical, Detergent, Filler, Glass foundry, Paint Water purification need desired specifications. To suit the needs

processers have to adopt cost effective developed technology.

“Indian Bureau of Mines” has carried out sponsored studies of few deposits of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Orissa. With the adoption of

technology few silica sand washeries are in operation for “processing glass sand” With the increasing market of Glass, Foundry, Filler, Gujarat has taken

lead in the establishment of value-added projects.

With the availability of Natural gas, Industrial houses have established, Sheet Float, Table ware, Laboratory-ware and Oven-glass projects. With the

adoption of modern glass process technology from overseas, demand for Glass grade silica showed more than 4% growth rate for the sector.

Value-added projects technology sourcing become difficult task. Precipitated silica, silica gel, projects indigenous technology developed by Central Salt

and Marine Research Institute (CSMRI), Bhavnagar. Gujarat is available. For “Silica Fume” technology has to be sourced either from Germany, USA or

Belgium. Tie up can be made with “Cabot Corporation, Tuscola, USA”. Glass sand technology can be evaluated by ore-dressing laboratory of Indian

Bureau of Mines, (IBM), Ministry of Mines Govt. of India. Other projects sand specialist can guide for the technology. Coated silica project in house

technology is available by the local processors of Gujarat and Maharashtra. Sodium Silicate Project, silica sand and soda ash are to be fused in kiln. Two

variety of liquid and glass can be manufactured. Small scale projects of the product need sieved silica with tolerable iron oxide. Product is in good

demand for Soap and Detergent.

Processed foundry sand is a integrated project with sand laboratory. Casting and molding sector, sand system needs various tests, e.g. moisture

content, compatibility, permeability, green compression strength, shatter index, active clay content. To fulfill the norm of stabilized sand. Foundry sand

processing control is a specialized art, for assessing the quality of return shake out sand and deciding subsequent operation for better unit sand control.

Silica sand other value-added items are “basive silica, rejunivenation silica, above materials are in good demand in ship breaking, oil & natural gas

sectors in which grain size distribution is a essential parameter.

All value-added items market is increasing with the establishments of new glass factory, soap and detergent units, steel vessels fine castging unit sand

opening of dead wells by ONGC. Process machineries and equipments are available in the domestic market. Entrepreneurs or mineral houses after

study of profiles prepared by “iNDEXTb”, Govt. of Gujarat organization, Gandhinagar, can decide to go further for project.

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The paper was published in International seminar on Mineral Business Development, organized by

INDIAN BUREAU OF MINES, FIMI, GMOEA at Nagpur in January 2004.

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Silica Sand Value-added Projects, Technology and its Industrial Application

By

J V BhattMineral Consultant

Bhuvaneshwari Mineral Consultancy

212, Sur-Sarthi Business Management Centre

Opp. Central Bank of India, Ambawadi Circle

Ambawadi , telefax-o79-26465570, 9979866097[m]

Web;-www.jvbmineralprojects.com

AHMEDABAD 380 006


New MEAI Members:

The Life Membership of the following persons from Ahmedabad Chapter is approved in the 7th Council meeting held at Jaipur on 13th October 2012.

NEWS ABOUT MEMBERS AhmedabadChapter

S N LM No Chapter Name DOB

1 4135 AMD Madhav D Pandya 23.10.1981

2 4127 AMD Jayantibhai Vishnuprasad Bhatt 01.01.1941

3 4136 AMD Patel Mukeshkumar j 01.06.1981

4 4147 AMD Manoj K Dwivedi 13.11.1949

5 4137 AMD Shyam Kumar 31.01.1977

6 4138 AMD Ajaykumar Devparasad Shukla 16.07.1963

7 4139 AMD Khokhar Abdulrasid Sultan 01.01.1964

In addition, Student Membership of the following 33 Final year Mining Engineering students from Govt. Engineering College Gandhinagar is also

approved in the same meeting.

SN Name SN Name

1 Bhuva Vishal Raghubhai 18 Patel Gautam Rameshbhai

2 Davra Maulik Babubhai 19 Pandya Pragnesh Laxmanbhai

3 Patani Alpesh Ashokbhai 20 Patel Himanshu Kanaiyalal

4 Patel Maulik Kanubhai 21 Chavda Vishal Ambalal

5 Tripti Maurya 22 Bhavsar Hima Rajendrakumar

6 Kalyani Jha 23 Prajapati Honey B

7 Mori Mit Mukeshkumar 24 Solanki Ravi Manharbhai

8 Modi Rushi Bharathbhai 25 Shah Akar Dipakbhai

9 Joshi Viral Vishnuprasad 26 Mohammed Parvez

10 Patel Keyurbhai Bharatbhai 27 Bharwad Vijay Bharatbhai

11 Panchal Rahulkumar Kanubhai 28 Prajapati Vimalkumar Ramesh Kr

12 D Souza Alfonce Lazrash 29 Shah Samay Sanjaybhai

13 Siddhi Deepakbhai Gohil 30 Burhanuddin Khujema Dalal

14 Siddhant Agrawal 31 Jani Milankumar Jitendra

15 Bhagya Dave 32 Pathan Aamirkhan Yakubkhan

16 Matariya Suresh Jivabhai 33 Oza Jvalant Parshotambhai

17 Chavda Jitendra - -

We extend our heartiest WELCOME to all these new members to the Chapter.

Applications of all the 12 Final year Mining Engineering students from Govt. Engineering College, Palanpur are also received and forwarded to the

MEAI HQs for approval of their student membership.

Students from Gandhinagar are proposing to have a Students’ Chapter at Gandhinagar. Its opening ceremony is proposed sometime later in the

month along with a brief seminar for students. Students from Palanpur will also join the Gandhinagar Students’ Chapter, on approval of their

membership.