11th National Conference on Safety in Mines 2013 – DGMS Recommendations & Key Safety Reforms

11th National Conference on Safety in Mines 2013 – DGMS Recommendations, Safety Reforms & MCQs

🧾 DETAILED NOTES

1️⃣ Introduction

The 11th National Conference on Safety in Mines was convened by the Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS) on 4th & 5th July 2013 at New Delhi, under the Ministry of Labour & Employment, Government of India. It aimed to review safety performance across coal, metal, and oil mines, evaluate past recommendations, and adopt modern, risk-based safety practices. Participants included senior executives from mining companies, DGMS officials, trade unions, and experts from research bodies such as CIMFR, NIRM, and IITs.

2️⃣ Key Objectives

To analyze causes of major mine accidents.
To develop practical safety systems using modern technology.
To ensure self-regulation and risk-based safety audits.
To improve training, supervision, and awareness.
To review implementation of 10th Conference (2007) recommendations.

3️⃣ Major Recommendations

(A) Roof & Side Fall Prevention (Underground Mines)

Systematic Support Rules (SSR) to be prepared and approved by DGMS for every mine.
Mechanized bolting and resin-grouted roof bolts to be adopted.
Tell-tales and convergence meters for roof movement monitoring.
Daily support inspection by competent person (CMR 2017, Reg. 99–104).

(B) Haul Road & Dump Safety (Opencast Mines)

Haul roads to comply with DGMS Circular 8 of 2008 and CMR Reg. 101.
Proper drainage, parapet walls, and gradient ≤ 1 in 16.
Dump stability factor ≥ 1.5.
Mandatory traffic management plans and speed limits.

(C) Explosives & Blasting

Use of NONEL detonators and electronic delay detonators.
Blasting only in daylight (DGMS Circular 6/2002).

(D) Mine Environment & Gas Monitoring

Continuous gas monitoring systems for CH₄, CO, and O₂.
Automatic alarm systems for gas exceedance.

(E) Training & Human Resource Development

Strengthen Vocational Training Centres (VTCs) under MVT Rules, 1966.
Safety Induction compulsory for contract and outsourced workers.

(F) Mine Machinery & Maintenance

Implementation of Preventive Maintenance Schedules (PMS) for all HEMM.
Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures during repair.

(G) Safety Management & Supervision

Establishment of Safety Management System (SMS) and Safety Committees.
Root Cause Analysis (RCA) for every fatal and serious accident.

⚙️ QUICK ONE-LINERS (Revision Points)

11th National Conference held on 4–5 July 2013, New Delhi.
Organized by DGMS under Ministry of Labour & Employment.
SSR mandatory for each underground mine.
Dump stability factor ≥ 1.5 recommended.
NONEL detonators and daylight blasting mandated.
Continuous gas monitoring to prevent explosions.
Safety induction for contract workers compulsory.
Proximity detection introduced for large dumpers.
Root Cause Analysis for all fatal accidents.
DGMS Circulars: 4/2007, 2/2010, 6/2002, 8/2008.

🧮 DESCRIPTIVE MODEL QUESTION

Q. Discuss the key recommendations of the 11th National Conference on Safety in Mines (2013) and their relevance in today’s mining scenario.

Answer:
The 11th National Conference (2013) outlined comprehensive safety strategies to minimize mining accidents. Major areas included roof and side fall prevention through SSR, resin bolting, and roof monitoring instruments. For opencast mines, haul road safety, dump stability, and traffic management were emphasized. It also recommended improved training systems, machinery maintenance protocols, and accident investigations through RCA. These measures align with DGMS circulars (4/2007, 2/2010, 8/2008) and modern safety management systems for both coal and metal mines.

🧩 25 DGMS-Based MCQs

Q1. The 11th National Conference on Safety in Mines was held in:

Solution: The conference was held in New Delhi on 4th–5th July 2013.

Q2. Organizer of the 11th Safety Conference:

Solution: The National Conferences on Safety in Mines are organized by the Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS).

Q3. One of the major focus areas of the conference was:

Solution: The primary goal of the conference is to review and improve safety standards to prevent accidents.

Q4. Roof fall prevention regulations are given in:

Solution: Regulations 99 to 104 of CMR 2017 (and similar regulations in CMR 1957) detail roof and side support requirements.

Q5. Support design must be based on:

Solution: Support design is a geotechnical exercise based on the anticipated rock load and strata conditions.

Q6. DGMS Circular on roof bolting standards:

Solution: Circular 4/2007 provides guidelines on support design and monitoring. (Note: 2/2010 also deals with rock bolt testing).

Q7. Haul road safety recommendations were given under:

Solution: DGMS Circular 8 of 2008 specifically addresses safety in haul roads and transport for HEMM.

Q8. Recommended maximum haul road gradient:

Solution: 1 in 16 is the standard maximum gradient specified for permanent haul roads to ensure safe vehicle movement.

Q9. Dump stability factor suggested:

Solution: The conference recommended a higher FOS of 1.5 for long-term dump stability (note: 1.3 is often the minimum acceptable).

Q10. Blasting in daylight prescribed by:

Solution: Circular 6/2002 strongly recommends that blasting in opencast mines be restricted to daylight hours for better safety and supervision.

Q11. NONEL detonators are used for:

Solution: NONEL (Non-Electric) detonators are used for precise, safe, and controlled blasting initiation, reducing hazards associated with electric detonators.

Q12. Continuous gas monitoring is used in:

Solution: Gassy underground mines (Degree II and III) require continuous monitoring systems for CH4, CO, etc.

Q13. Safety induction training made compulsory for:

Solution: The conference highlighted the need to extend mandatory safety induction training to all personnel, including contract workers.

Q14. Mine machinery maintenance recommendation:

Solution: A Preventive Maintenance Schedule (PMS) is a proactive approach to prevent machinery failure.

Q15. Proximity detection system used for:

Solution: Proximity detection systems (like PDS) are used on HEMM (e.g., dumpers) to prevent collisions with other vehicles or people.

Q16. Lockout/Tagout procedure is used for:

Solution: LOTO ensures that machinery is safely de-energized and cannot be accidentally started during maintenance.

Q17. Safety Management System abbreviation:

Solution: SMS stands for Safety Management System, a key recommendation.

Q18. Root Cause Analysis is mandatory for:

Solution: The conference recommended RCA for all fatal and serious accidents to identify underlying systemic failures.

Q19. DGMS Circular 2/2010 relates to:

Solution: DGMS Tech Circular 2/2010 outlines standards and testing procedures for roof bolts.

Q20. The 10th Conference on Safety in Mines was held in:

A. 2007 B. 2010 C. 2009 D. 2012 E. 2015

Solution: The 11th Conference in 2013 reviewed the implementation of the 10th Conference held in 2007.

Q21. Continuous monitoring of gas is done using:

Solution: Methanometers (or multi-gas monitors) are used for continuous monitoring of methane (CH4) and other gases.

Q22. Parapet walls are provided along:

Solution: Parapet walls or berms are required along the outer edges of haul roads and dumps to prevent vehicles from veering off.

Q23. Annual Safety Awards are given by:

Solution: The National Safety Awards (Mines) are conferred by the Ministry of Labour & Employment, based on recommendations and data from DGMS.

Q24. Root cause analysis is part of:

Solution: RCA is a key component of the "Check" and "Act" phases of a Safety Management System (SMS) for continuous improvement.

Q25. Primary purpose of the 11th Safety Conference:

Solution: The conference's main goal was to analyze accident causes and recommend reforms to prevent future incidents.

🔗 INTERNAL LINKS

Related Topic	Read More On...
Roof Safety	Accidents Due to Roof Fall – DGMS 2014 Analysis
Safety Management	Integrated Safety Management Plan (SMP)
DGMS Syllabus	DGMS Exam Syllabus 2025 - CMR & MMR Guide
DGMS Circulars	DGMS General Circular No. 01 of 2023

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