Introduction
Part 2 of the Coal Mines Regulations (CMR) 2017 deals with day-to-day working arrangements and supervision necessary to keep mining operations safe. This section defines roles (Manager, Agent, Overman, Sirdar, Mate), permit systems, shift handovers, records, watchmanship, and statutory checks that are commonly tested in DGMS exams. Understanding duties and statutory responsibilities will help you answer scenario-based and definition questions in both written and oral papers.

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H2: Working Rules in Coal Mines Key elements

• Authorized persons only: Only authorised and competent persons may operate equipment, engage in blasting, conduct electrical work, or be in restricted zones.
• Permit-to-work system: Written permits required for hazardous activities — e.g., entry into confined spaces, electrical maintenance, blasting operations. Permits specify precautions and authorised persons.
• Shift procedures & handovers: Clear procedures for change of shift including handover notes, status of workings, equipment defects, and pending hazards.
• Records & registers: Statutory registers to be maintained — shift books, accident registers, gas/ventilation records, blasting records, and permit registers.
• Access control: Restriction of entry to workings under repair, newly fractured faces, or danger zones; locking and sealing when necessary.
• Men & material transport: Limits, seating, and safety for transportation of persons; use of separate transport for HEMM and personnel where required.

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H2: Supervision & Safety Duties Duties of key officials

• Manager (Section): Overall responsibility for safety and to ensure compliance with CMR & Mines Act — must appoint competent persons, ensure permits, maintain records, and notify DGMS of accidents.
• Agent (if appointed): Assist manager; specified in appointment letters and register.
• Overman / Sirdar / Mate: Day-to-day supervision—checking support, ventilation, water drainage, making entries in the shift book, supervising men at face, and certifying safe conditions before work proceeds.
• Authorized person (Electrical/Blasting): Only authorised persons may undertake these works; must follow PTW and safety checks.
• Watchmen / Gatekeepers: Control entry/exit, ensure no unauthorised access, respond to alarms.

Supervision duties (practical)

• Pre-shift inspections: roof & sides, support, ventilation, gas tests.
• Checking of haul roads, ramps, and benches before operations start.
• Ensuring fire-fighting and first-aid equipment is available and serviceable.
• Ensuring all HEMM have valid certificates and drivers hold competent licences.
• Ensuring training and drills (evacuation, rescue) are conducted regularly.

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H3: DGMS Key Exam Points

• Who is legally responsible? — Manager (liable under Mines Act).
• Permit-to-work essentials: Written, signed by issuer and acceptor, list of precautions, time validity.
• Shift Book: Must contain entries about shift change, hazards, gas tests, and instructions from manager/overman.
• Authorized persons: Who can do what — e.g., only certified electrician performs high-voltage work.
• Notification of accidents: Immediate reporting to DGMS + record in accident register.
• Competency & training: Managers must ensure persons are trained for their duties.

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Quick One-Liners (Revision)

• Manager = ultimate legal responsibility.
• PTW = Permit-to-work for hazardous tasks.
• Shift handover: critical for safety continuity.
• Overman records checks in the shift book.
• Watchmen control access and alarms.
• Only authorised persons do electrical/blasting work.
• Statutory registers must be up to date and available.
• Training & drills compulsory per DGMS circulars.

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Descriptive Model Answer (Exam-style)
Q: Describe the responsibilities of the manager and overman in relation to working rules and supervision under CMR 2017 Part 2.
Answer: The manager holds overall legal responsibility for safe operations and compliance with the Mines Act and CMR 2017. The manager must appoint competent persons, ensure permit-to-work systems for hazardous jobs, maintain statutory records, and notify DGMS of serious incidents. Overmen perform daily inspections—roof & face, supports, ventilation and gas checks—and record observations in the shift book. Overmen ensure that only authorised persons work on electrical or blasting jobs, that barricades and watchmen are in place where required, and that shift handovers are complete. Both manager and overman must ensure training, drilling, and emergency preparedness. (Tie answers to specific regs and real examples for higher marks.)

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🎯 20 MCQs — Working & Supervision Rules 
Q1 Who is legally responsible to ensure compliance with CMR 2017 working and supervision rules?
A. Overman
B. Surveyor
C. Manager
D. Sirdar
E. Gatekeeper
Answer: C.
Solution: Manager is ultimately responsible under Mines Act and CMR.

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Q2 A permit-to-work is required for which of the following activities?
A. Routine material handling only
B. Entry into confined spaces, electrical maintenance, and blasting
C. Eating in canteen
D. Regular shift change
E. Office work
Answer: B.
Solution: PTW covers hazardous tasks like confined entry, electrical, and blasting.

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Q3 Who must sign and accept a permit-to-work before work begins?
A. Issuer only
B. Acceptor only
C. Issuer and acceptor (authorised person)
D. Manager only
E. Overman only
Answer: C.
Solution: Permit must be signed by issuer and the person who accepts responsibility.

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Q4 Which register records details of each shift, hazards, and instructions?
A. Accident register
B. Shift book
C. Ventilation register
D. Blasting register
E. Training register
Answer: B.
Solution: Shift book records shift-related entries and hazards.

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Q5 Who is authorised to undertake high-voltage electrical work in a mine?
A. Any available worker
B. Competent certified electrical person only
C. Manager only
D. Overman only
E. Surveyor
Answer: B.
Solution: Only authorised, trained electrical personnel may perform HV work.

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Q6 During a shift handover, what must the outgoing supervisor communicate?
A. Personal issues only
B. Status of workings, defects, pending permits and hazards
C. Production targets only
D. Nothing — verbal handover only
E. Salary details
Answer: B.
Solution: Handover must include technical & safety information necessary for continuity.

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Q7 Which person controls entry and exit at mine gates and enforces credential checks?
A. Overman
B. Watchman / Gatekeeper
C. Manager
D. Agent
E. Surveyor
Answer: B.
Solution: Watchmen/gatekeepers handle access control and credentials.

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Q8 Where should records of blasting be maintained?
A. Inoverman’s diary only
B. Blasting register
C. Shift book only
D. Accident register
E. No record needed
Answer: B.
Solution: Blasting details are recorded in blasting register.

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Q9 Who should be informed immediately in case of a serious accident?
A. Local contractor only
B. DGMS and company management as per rules
C. Only the manager after 24 hours
D. Media
E. No one
Answer: B.
Solution: Serious accidents must be reported to DGMS and management immediately.

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Q10 Which document authorises an unauthorised vehicle to use a haul road?
A. Verbal permission
B. Written permission by the manager
C. Shift book note
D. Gatekeeper’s nod
E. None
Answer: B.
Solution: Manager’s written permission is required.

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Q11 The overman’s primary function includes:
A. Conducting geological surveys only
B. Supervising face operations, checking supports and ventilation, and making shift book entries
C. Selling explosives
D. Managing company finances
E. Transportation planning only
Answer: B.
Solution: Overman supervises safety-critical operations and records observations.

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Q12 Which of the following is a key element of permit-to-work?
A. Unlimited duration
B. Clear list of precautions and time validity
C. Only verbal instructions
D. No signature required
E. Only manager’s approval needed (no acceptor)
Answer: B.
Solution: PTW must list precautions and have time limits.

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Q13 Who maintains the accident register in a mine?
A. Any worker
B. Manager/safety officer as per statutory requirements
C. Overman only
D. Gatekeeper
E. Contractor
Answer: B.
Solution: Manager/safety officer ensures statutory registers including accident register are maintained.

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Q14 What is the purpose of pre-shift inspections?
A. To delay work
B. To ensure roof, supports, ventilation and equipment are safe before work begins
C. To check financials
D. To approve wages
E. None
Answer: B.
Solution: Pre-shift inspections ensure safe working conditions.

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Q15 Which officer can allow variance in certain working conditions under special circumstances?
A. Manager only
B. Regional Inspector (DGMS representative)
C. Overman only
D. Gatekeeper
E. None
Answer: B.
Solution: Regional Inspector may permit exceptions in special cases.

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Q16 Who is responsible for conducting emergency drills and training?
A. Manager (with safety officer/external agencies)
B. Watchman only
C. Contractor only
D. DGMS only
E. Overman only
Answer: A.
Solution: Manager organizes training and drills, often in coordination with safety officers.

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Q17 Which is NOT a duty of an authorised person supervising blasting?
A. Ensuring correct charge & timing
B. Clearing unauthorized persons from blast area
C. Signing the blast register
D. Allowing untrained persons to fire blasts
E. Ensuring warning signals are given
Answer: D.
Solution: Authorised person must not allow untrained persons to fire blasts.

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Q18 What should be done when a hazardous condition is observed during a shift?
A. Ignore and continue work
B. Stop work, barricade area, inform supervisor and record in shift book
C. Wait until next shift
D. Only inform colleagues privately
E. Continue with extra caution only
Answer: B.
Solution: Hazard requires immediate action and record as per CMR.

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Q19 Who appoints an Agent in a mine (if used)?
A. DGMS
B. Company/Owner (appointment recorded with manager)
C. Overman
D. Gatekeeper
E. Contractor
Answer: B.
Solution: Company appoints Agent; appointment and duties should be recorded.

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Q20 Which register contains gas/ventilation measurements?
A. Blasting register
B. Ventilation/gas register
C. Shift book only
D. Accident register
E. No register required
Answer: B.
Solution: Gas/ventilation readings are kept in a dedicated register.

Q21 Which statutory official checks support, ventilation, and gas at the face daily?
A. Sirdar
B. Overman
C. Manager
D. Surveyor
E. Mate
Answer: A.
Solution: Sirdar supervises and checks faces daily.

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Q22 If a person is found incompetent for duty, who must act?
A. Overman immediately removes him and informs manager
B. Watchman controls him
C. Contractor replaces him later
D. Surveyor reports in register
E. DGMS only after inspection
Answer: A.
Solution: Overman must remove and report incompetency.

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Q23 Which statutory document must be produced on demand by DGMS inspectors?
A. Personal diaries
B. Statutory registers (shift, accident, blasting, ventilation)
C. Wage slips
D. Production reports only
E. Contractor bills
Answer: B.
Solution: Statutory registers must be available for inspection.

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Q24 Duty of a watchman during non-working hours includes:
A. Supervising blasting
B. Guarding property, preventing unauthorized entry, raising alarm in case of fire
C. Checking gas readings
D. Conducting training classes
E. Preparing wage bills
Answer: B.
Solution: Watchman protects premises and raises alarms.

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Q25 Who must certify training completion for a new worker?
A. Manager / Training officer
B. Overman
C. Watchman
D. Surveyor
E. Contractor
Answer: A.
Solution: Training officer or manager certifies before work.