2          Company wise accidents statistics of coal mines in India
            for 2003, 2004 & 2005 (till 12.5.2005)

Source: DGMS

Note: (i) Lignite is included in coal.

          (ii) Figures for 2004 & 2005 are provisional.

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3          The major accidents in the Indian Coal Mines (post Independence period).

4          Rate of fatalities and serious Injuries in CIL mines :

Note :   Figures for 2005 exclude 14 fatalities involved in inundation at Central Saunda Colliery of                      CCL in June 2005.

5          Rate of fatalities and serious Injuries in SCCL mines :

6          Rate of fatalities and serious Injuries in NLC mines :

7          Safety monitoring in Coal India Limited

Safety in coal mines of Coal India Limited is monitored by the following bodies apart from DGMS and the Internal Safety Organisations of CIL and its subsidiary coal companies.

(1)        Workmen’s inspectors: Safety status of each and every mine is monitored by representatives of the workmen, one each from Mining, Electrical and Mechanical disciplines through inspections, the reports of which and status of compliance of recommendations are forwarded to the local DGMS office.

(2)     Safety committee at mine level: The Safety Committee at mine level also monitors the safety status at each mine every month through inspection followed by a meeting for review of safety status of the mine.  This committee consists of representatives of workmen and management.

(3)        Area level bipartite/tripartite safety committees: The Area Level Committee comprising representatives of workmen and management monitors the safety performance of the Area biannually. Often representative of DGMS also participates.

(4)        Subsidiary level tripartite safety committee: Tripartite safety committee functions at subsidiary company level and consists of representatives of workmen, DGMS and management for review and monitoring of safety measures. This body meets bi-annually.

(5)        Coal India Safety Board:  This is headed by the Chairman, CIL with workers representatives, Director (T), CIL, Director (P), CIL, CMDs of subsidiary  companies, the DGMS, a representative of the Ministry of Coal as members and Executive Director (Safety & Rescue) CIL as Member Secretary. The Board reviews the safety status of CIL bi-annually, formulates policies and gives guidelines for improving safety standards.

(6)        Standing Committee on Safety in Coal Mines: The safety situation of the coal mines is also reviewed by the Standing Committee on safety in Coal Mines Chaired by the Minister for Coal.

In addition, Conference on Safety in Mines is held by Ministry of Labour / DGMS, where representatives of Trade Unions, management, educational/research institutions and Ministry of Coal participate. These meetings are held every 3 or 4 years.

8                      Technologies adopted to reduce the number of accidents.

Following State-of-the-art technologies are adopted to reduce number of accidents in CIL.mines:

1.      Design of system of support of roof in the development workings in underground mines by scientific support systems based on Rock Mass Rating (RMR) studies.

2.      Increased use of Roof Bolting / Roof Stitching methods of support using steel roof bolts/ steel wire ropes with quick setting cement grout to arrest bed separation at early stages to impede deterioration of roof.

3.      Introduction of modern drills like mechanised drilling machine  to avoid exposure of support personnel to unsupported roof while drilling for roof bolting and greater use of quick-setting cement/resin capsules grouted roof bolts for support in development workings in underground mines.

4.      Reduced exposure of workers to mining hazards by mechanization of loading operations by increasing use of SDLs and LHDs in belowground mines, Powered Support longwall (PSLW) system of mining, Continuous Miner Technology etc., are being progressively adopted in suitable areas.

5.      Regular monitoring of mine environment by handheld gas detectors/alarms and flame safety lamps for detecting inflammable and noxious gases. Besides, for early detection of situations that could lead to an outbreak of fire or an explosion, highly capital intensive computerized continuous mine environmental tele-monitoring system (ETMS) have been installed and are in operation in thirteen identified underground mines.

6. Introduction of surface miner, an eco-friendly technology to reduce hazardous operation like drilling, blasting and crushing wherever applicable.