Introduction

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📘 Biological & Chemical Hazards in Mines – DGMS Exam Notes 

Mining environments expose workers to not just mechanical and physical risks but also biological and chemical hazards. These hazards can cause long-term health problems, acute illnesses, or even fatalities if not managed under DGMS guidelines. DGMS emphasizes preventive strategies through Mines Act, MMR 1961, CMR 2017, Mines Rules 1955, and various DGMS circulars. .

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🦠 Types of Biological Hazards

1. Waterborne Diseases
• Stagnant water in underground workings → breeding ground for mosquitoes → malaria, dengue.
• Contaminated drinking water → dysentery, cholera, typhoid.
2. Rodent & Animal Hazards
• Rats, snakes, and insects in workings.
• Rodents damage cables & spread leptospirosis.
3. Fungal & Bacterial Growth
• High humidity underground promotes fungi, spores, and bacteria.
• Leads to skin infections, respiratory diseases.
4. Occupational Biological Exposure
• Miners in tropical areas → higher exposure to biological vectors.
• Open wounds prone to infections.

Prevention:

• Proper drainage, sanitation, treated drinking water, vector control, fumigation, PPE.
• DGMS requires managers to implement health & welfare provisions under Mines Rules, 1955.

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⚗️ Chemical Dangers in Mines

1. Toxic Gases
• CO (carbon monoxide), SO₂, NOx, H₂S → produced by blasting, fires, diesel engines.
• Causes asphyxiation, poisoning, lung damage.
2. Explosive Chemicals
• Handling of explosives (ANFO, detonators).
• Accidental ignition leads to fatal accidents.
3. Dust with Chemical Effect
• Silica dust → silicosis.
• Coal dust + silica → pneumoconiosis.
• Chemical reagents in beneficiation plants cause dermatitis.
4. Heavy Metals & Toxic Elements
• Lead, mercury, arsenic exposure in ore mines.
• Causes neurological and systemic diseases.

Prevention:

• Flameproof diesel equipment, dust suppression, proper storage of explosives.
• Use of DGMS-approved respirators, dust masks, ventilation systems.
• Regular medical examinations under Mines Rules 1955 (Rule 29B – Notified Diseases).

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🎯 DGMS Exam Relevance

• High weightage in MMLGS papers (General Safety & Legislation).
• PYQs often ask:
• “What are biological hazards in mines?”
• “How can chemical hazards be prevented?”
• “Explain DGMS guidelines for notified diseases.”
• Connects with topics: Dust Diseases, Mine Environment, Occupational Health.

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📌 Quick One-Liners

• Biological hazard = diseases from water, vectors, organisms.
• Chemical hazard = gases, dust, explosives, toxic elements.
• DGMS mandates medical surveillance & PPE usage.
• Mines Rules 1955 → health, hygiene, sanitation.
• Notified diseases include silicosis, pneumoconiosis, lead poisoning.

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✍️Descriptive Model Answer

Q: Explain biological and chemical hazards in mines and their preventive measures.

Answer:
Biological hazards include waterborne diseases, vector-borne infections, rodent infestations, and fungal growth in humid underground workings. Preventive measures include proper sanitation, treated drinking water, pest control, and PPE. Chemical hazards include toxic gases (CO, SO₂, NOx, H₂S), dust diseases (silicosis, pneumoconiosis), explosive chemicals, and heavy metal poisoning. Preventive measures include ventilation, dust suppression, safe storage of explosives, use of flameproof equipment, and statutory medical surveillance. Conclusion: Strict compliance with DGMS regulations, Mines Act, and Mines Rules 1955 ensures occupational health and reduces risks.

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🎯 25 MCQs – Biological & Chemical Hazards in Mines 

Q1. Malaria and dengue in mines are examples of:
A. Chemical hazards
B. Biological hazards
C. Mechanical hazards
D. Dust hazards
E. Radiation hazards
Answer: B.
Solution: Caused by mosquitoes breeding in stagnant mine water. 

Q2. Leptospirosis in miners is transmitted by:
A. Snakes
B. Rats/rodents
C. Flies
D. Dogs
E. Cockroaches
Answer: B.
Solution: Rat urine transmits leptospira bacteria.

Q3. Rule governing sanitation and drinking water in mines is under:
A. CMR 2017
B. Mines Rules 1955
C. Factories Act
D. MMR 1961
E. Payment of Wages Act
Answer: B.
Solution: Mines Rules 1955 cover health & hygiene. 

Q4. Common toxic gas in underground fires is:
A. O₂
B. CO
C. H₂
D. CH₄
E. N₂
Answer: B.
Solution: Carbon monoxide causes poisoning. 

Q5. Heavy metal hazard common in lead mines:
A. Arsenic poisoning
B. Lead poisoning
C. Mercury poisoning
D. Cadmium poisoning
E. Iron deficiency
Answer: B.
Solution: Lead poisoning is occupational hazard. 

Q6. Silicosis is caused by inhaling:
A. Coal dust only
B. Silica dust
C. Lead fumes
D. CO gas
E. Iron oxide
Answer: B.
Solution: Silica particles lodge in lungs. 

Q7. Pneumoconiosis is caused by:
A. CO poisoning
B. Inhalation of dust over time
C. Heat stress
D. Bacteria
E. Radiation
Answer: B.
Solution: Long-term dust inhalation. 

Q8. Medical surveillance of miners is compulsory under:
A. Mines Rules 1955
B. MMR 1961
C. Factory Rules
D. Coal Bearing Areas Act
E. Forest Act
Answer: A.
Solution: Mines Rules mandate medical exams. 

Q9. Explosives in mines must be:

A. Stored anywhere
B. Stored in approved magazines
C. Stored in canteen
D. Stored in workshops
E. Carried by workers
Answer: B.
Solution: DGMS approves storage. 

Q10. Fungus in humid workings causes:
A. Dust explosion
B. Respiratory & skin disease
C. Lead poisoning
D. Gas emission
E. None
Answer: B.
Solution: Biological hazard from fungi. 

Q11. H₂S exposure in mines leads to:
A. Asphyxiation
B. Burns
C. Silicosis
D. Pneumoconiosis
E. Noise hazard
Answer: A.
Solution: H₂S is highly toxic gas. 

Q12. Flameproof electricals are used to:
A. Save energy
B. Prevent gas ignition
C. Reduce dust
D. Increase output
E. None
Answer: B.
Solution: Prevent explosions in gassy mines. 

Q13. Typhoid in miners is caused by:
A. Contaminated air
B. Contaminated water
C. Dust inhalation
D. Noise exposure
E. Lead
Answer: B.
Solution: Waterborne infection. 

Q14. Arsenic poisoning may occur in:
A. Coal mines
B. Gold/copper mines
C. Iron mines
D. Limestone mines
E. None
Answer: B.
Solution: Associated with sulphide ores. 

Q15. Mosquito breeding is prevented by:
A. Blasting
B. Filling water bodies
C. Fumigation & drainage
D. Dust suppression
E. None
Answer: C.
Solution: Prevents biological hazard. 

Q16. Chronic CO exposure leads to:
A. Headache, dizziness, death
B. Skin infection
C. Silicosis
D. Radiation hazard
E. Heat stroke
Answer: A.
Solution: CO binds to hemoglobin. 

Q17. Dust diseases are classified under:
A. Mechanical hazards
B. Biological hazards
C. Chemical hazards
D. Heat hazards
E. None
Answer: C.
Solution: Dust diseases are chemical hazards. 

Q18. Which is a DGMS-notified disease?
A. Diabetes
B. Silicosis
C. Asthma
D. Tuberculosis
E. None
Answer: B.
Solution: Silicosis is a notified disease. 

Q19. PPE against dust hazards includes:
A. Helmets only
B. Gloves
C. Dust respirators/masks
D. Boots
E. Safety belt
Answer: C.
Solution: DGMS-approved respirators required. 

Q20. Chemical burns may result from:
A. Sulphuric acid, caustic soda used in processing
B. Coal dust
C. Iron ore
D. Stone dust
E. Limestone
Answer: A.
Solution: Strong chemicals cause burns. Q21. Biological hazard prevention includes:
A. Dust suppression
B. Proper sanitation & drainage
C. Flameproof equipment
D. Rope lubrication
E. None
Answer: B.
Solution: Sanitation prevents infections. Q22. Chemical hazard prevention includes:
A. PPE & ventilation
B. More blasting
C. Increasing load
D. Dusting OB benches
E. None
Answer: A.
Solution: Ventilation + PPE = safety. 

Q23. Mines Rules 1955 requires periodic:
A. Wage reports
B. Medical examinations of workers
C. Land surveys
D. Blasting permits
E. None
Answer: B.
Solution: Mandatory health checkups. 

Q24. Mercury poisoning in miners leads to:
A. Nervous system damage
B. Silicosis
C. Pneumoconiosis
D. Cholera
E. None
Answer: A.
Solution: Mercury affects CNS. 

Q25. DGMS circulars on occupational health mainly focus on:
A. Production
B. Worker safety & disease prevention
C. Survey errors
D. Wage settlement
E. None
Answer: B.
Solution: DGMS issues circulars for safety & health.

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