DGMS Field Trial Procedure – Eligibility, Testing, Monitoring & Compliance | DGMS Notes

🚧 DGMS Field Trial Process – Eligibility, Monitoring & Compliance (Based on DGMS Approval Policy – Second Revision 2016) Before any new mining equipment is allowed full approval, DGMS may require a Field Trial to verify its safety, performance, strength, and reliability under actual mine conditions. This blog explains exact DGMS field trial rules, responsibilities of mine management & manufacturer, reporting formats, and approval workflow — in complete OME style.

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🔹 1. What is a DGMS Field Trial?

A DGMS Field Trial is a supervised trial of new equipment in a working mine to check:

• Safe performance
• Reliability under mining conditions
• Compatibility with existing systems
• Compliance with safety features
• User feedback
• Hazard identification

Field trials validate that equipment tested in laboratory also performs safely in real-world underground or opencast mines.

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🔹 2. When Are Field Trials Required?

DGMS orders field trials when equipment is:

• New technology not used previously in India
• Imported equipment requiring validation
• Modified FLP or IS equipment
• New safety devices
• Heavy machinery with powered systems
• Explosion-protection systems
• Automation systems

Example items:

• Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs)
• New flameproof motors
• Digital gas detectors
• Proximity Warning Systems
• New explosives/detonators
• Automation packages (CMS, PWS)

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🔹 3. Types of DGMS Field Trials

Type	Description	Duration
Type A	Underground coal mines	3–12 months
Type B	Opencast mines	1–6 months
Type C	Rescue & safety equipment	1–3 months

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🔹 4. Process Flow of DGMS Field Trials

Manufacturer → Submit Field Trial Application ↓ DGMS Scrutiny & Provisional Approval ↓ Installation at Mine → Commissioning ↓ Monitoring by Mine + Manufacturer + DGMS ↓ Periodical Reports Submitted ↓ Final Evaluation → DGMS Approval/Modification/Rejection

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🔹 5. Step-by-Step Field Trial Procedure

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⭐ Step 1: Application Submission Manufacturer submits:

• Form N (Provisional Approval)
• Technical dossier
• Hazardous area classification
• Safety certifications (Ex/IS/BIS)
• Factory QMS certificates
• SOP for installation
• Service & spares support commitment

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⭐ Step 2: DGMS Review & Provisional Approval DGMS issues:

• Permission for installation
• Conditions of trial
• Safety instructions
• Special precautions
• Hazard controls

Provisional approval validity: 6–12 months

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⭐ Step 3: Installation & Commissioning in the Mine Mine management must:

• Install equipment at designated zone
• Ensure compliance with DGMS conditions
• Provide manpower, supervision & safety arrangements
• Maintain trial logbook

Manufacturer must:

• Provide technical experts
• Train mine staff
• Provide safety instructions & manuals

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⭐ Step 4: Monitoring During Field Trial Monitoring is done jointly by: 

  ✔ Mine Management

• Daily performance
• Faults & failures
• Operator feedback

✔ Manufacturer

• On-site engineer
• Maintenance & troubleshooting
• Performance tuning

✔ DGMS

• Surprise inspections
• Safety compliance checking
• Cross-verification of reports

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🔹 6. Data Collected During Field Trial 

 During the trial, the following data must be recorded:

• Running hours
• Failure frequency
• Temperature data
• Gas concentration limit compliance (for FLP/IS)
• Mechanical strength
• Battery performance (for BEVs)
• Electrical safety compliance
• Noise & vibration
• Safety alarms
• Operator ergonomics
• Spare parts requirement
• Fuel/energy consumption

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🔹 7. Mandatory Field Trial Reports Manufacturers must submit: 

  ⭐ Fortnightly Report Includes:

• Site conditions
• Performance data
• Fault logs
• Hazard observations

⭐ Quarterly Report Contains:

• Technical evaluation
• Safety findings
• Recommendations
• Rectification work summary

⭐ Final Field Trial Report Must include:

• Full performance data
• Safety compliance statement
• Failure analysis
• Final drawings (if modified)
• Mine manager’s performance certification
• DGMS inspection remarks

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🔹 8. Responsibilities of Stakeholders

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⭐ Manufacturer Responsibilities

• Provide installation & commissioning
• Ensure safety compliance
• Provide field engineer
• Maintain spare parts & servicing
• Submit all reports timely
• Make design corrections (if needed)

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⭐ Mine Management Responsibilities

• Ensure safe operation
• Maintain trial logbook
• Report failures immediately
• Provide fire-fighting & safety arrangements
• Allow DGMS inspection
• Ensure training to operators

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⭐ DGMS Responsibilities

• Inspect trial sites
• Verify data authenticity
• Enforce compliance
• Approve / modify / reject equipment

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🔹 9. Completion of Field Trial

After successful trial: DGMS may grant:

• Full approval
• Conditional approval
• Approval with modifications

Or reject the equipment if:

• Unsafe
• Performance is unreliable
• Violates Ex/IS safety conditions

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🔥25 MCQs (DGMS Style) with Answers

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1) Field trials are required for — 

a) Cement bags
b) Clothes
c) New mining equipment
d) Normal tools
e) None
Ans: c

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2) Provisional approval for field trial is valid for — 

a) 1 month
b) 5 years
c) 6–12 months
d) Unlimited
e) None
Ans: c

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3) Field trial application form —

a) Form K
b) Form B
c) Form N
d) Form L
e) None
Ans: c

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4) Field trial monitoring is done by —

a) Manufacturer only
b) Mine only
c) Mine + Manufacturer + DGMS
d) Outsiders
e) None
Ans: c

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5) Underground trials typically last —

a) 1 day
b) 1 week
c) 3–12 months
d) 10 years
e) None
Ans: c

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6) Final field trial report submitted by —

a) Worker
b) Labour union
c) Manufacturer
d) Accountant
e) None
Ans: c

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7) DGMS may reject trial if —

a) Product is good
b) Site is clean
c) Equipment unsafe
d) Operator trained
e) None
Ans: c

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8) Field trial failure must be reported —

a) Weekly

b) Immediately
c) Annually
d) During renewal
e) None
Ans: b

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9) Provisional approval is granted by —

a) State govt
b) Labour office
c) DGMS
d) Mines Board
e) None
Ans: c

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10) BEV underground requires field trial because —

a) Colour
b) Price
c) New technology & safety test
d) Wheels
e) None
Ans: c

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11) Data required in trials includes —

a) Rainfall
b) Temperature of equipment
c) Performance, failures, safety data
d) Salary
e) None
Ans: c

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12) Field trial reports submitted —

a) Monthly only
b) Annually only
c) Fortnightly + Quarterly + Final
d) Every 5 years
e) None
Ans: c

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13) DGMS ensures —

a) Cost reduction
b) Increased production
c) Safety compliance
d) New products only
e) None
Ans: c

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14) Trial logbook maintained by —

a) Clerk
b) Visitor
c) Mine management
d) Driver
e) None
Ans: c

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15) Flameproof equipment trial checks —

a) Colour

b) Length
c) Gas ignition & safety
d) Fuel
e) None
Ans: c

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16) Operator feedback is part of —

a) Survey report
b) Trial report
c) Daily wages
d) CMR
e) None
Ans: b

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17) DGMS may conduct —

a) Surprise inspections
b) No inspections
c) Annual picnic
d) GST audits
e) None
Ans: a

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18) Failure in safety conditions leads to —

a) Party
b) Reward
c) Trial rejection
d) Promotion
e) None
Ans: c

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19) BEV trial especially checks —

a) Tyres only
b) Battery safety & charging
c) Steering
d) Paint
e) None
Ans: b

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20) Hazard observations are documented in —

a) Police report
b) Field trial report
c) Gate pass
d) Ledger
e) None
Ans: b

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21) Field trials validate —

a) Cost
b) Sales
c) Real-world safety
d) Colour
e) None
Ans: c

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22) Field trials help ensure DGMS —

a) Labour policy
b) Picnic schedule
c) Compliance before approval
d) Road tax
e) None
Ans: c

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23) Major stakeholders are —

a) Driver
b) Cleaner
c) DGMS + Mine + Manufacturer
d) CISF
e) None
Ans: c

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24) During trial, failures must be —

a) Ignored
b) Rectified immediately
c) Stored
d) Deleted
e) None
Ans: b

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25) After successful trial DGMS may grant — a) Prize
b) Leave
c) Full approval
d) Shutdown
e) None
Ans: c

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                     🔚 Conclusion 

The DGMS Field Trial process ensures that new mining equipment is safe, reliable, and fully compliant before entering Indian mines. Field trials:

• Validate real-world performance
• Prevent accidents
• Ensure safe technology adoption
• Avoid unsafe equipment in underground mines

Understanding these rules is essential for manufacturers, mine managers, and safety officers.

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