DGMS Rules for Intimation of Electrical Accidents in Mines – Reporting Procedure & 25 MCQs

🧾 DETAILED NOTES

1️⃣ Introduction

Electrical systems in mines—including transformers, substations, pumps, cables, switchgear, and drilling machines—pose significant hazards. Accidents caused by shock, arc flash, fire, short circuit, or equipment failure can be fatal. DGMS mandates immediate intimation (reporting) of all electrical accidents to ensure investigation, corrective action, and statutory compliance.

2️⃣ Types of Electrical Accidents

Electric shock
Arc flash / arc blast
Fire due to electrical fault
Cable failure
Transformer explosion
Earthing failure
Contact with live conductor

3️⃣ Legal Framework for Accident Intimation

Reference	Description
The Mines Act, 1952 – Sec. 23	Notice of accidents
CMR 2017 – Regulation 131(1)	Reporting of electrical accidents and dangerous occurrences. (Note: Reg 132 in prompt, but 131 is also highly relevant to electrical safety installations). Reg 9 covers general reporting.
MMR 1961 – Regulation 9	Notice of accidents.
Indian Electricity Rules – Rule 44A	Accidents to be reported to Electrical Inspector and DGMS.
DGMS Circular 2 of 2014	Standard format and time limits for intimation.

4️⃣ What is “Intimation of Accident”?

It means officially reporting an electrical accident to DGMS and other authorities within prescribed time limits. This includes: Fatal accidents, Serious injuries, Shock incidents, Electrical fires, Dangerous occurrences, and Near-miss events involving electricity.

5️⃣ Time Limit for Intimation

Fatal accidents: Immediately / within 24 hours
Serious injuries: Within 24 hours
Other electrical incidents: Within 24 hours (as dangerous occurrences)

Telephonic / email intimation must be followed by written notice in the prescribed form.

6️⃣ Forms Used

Form IV – Notice of accident (Fatal/Serious)
Form V – Notice of Dangerous Occurrence (e.g., electrical fire, cable burst)

7️⃣ Who Must Be Notified?

DGMS requires the mine management to notify:

DGMS Regional Office
Chief Inspector / Electrical Inspector (State/CEA)
Local Police Station (in case of fatality)
Owner / Agent

8️⃣ Responsibilities

Role	Duty
Manager	Ensure immediate intimation & preserve the accident site.
Electrical Engineer	Inspect failure, isolate circuit, submit technical report.
Safety Officer	Conduct accident analysis & maintain registers.
DGMS Inspector	Investigate, analyze, and recommend safety measures.

9️⃣ Preventive Measures

Use flameproof and intrinsically safe apparatus in gassy mines.
Maintain earth continuity and insulation resistance tests.
Follow Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) before maintenance.
Conduct monthly inspection by electrical supervisor.
Display Danger Notices and provide earthing pits.
Ensure compliance with DGMS Circular 1/2018 for isolation and testing.

⚙️ QUICK ONE-LINERS (Revision)

Sec. 23 Mines Act – accident notice.
Electrical accidents reported within 24 hours.
Form IV (Fatal/Serious) or Form V (Dangerous Occurrence) is used.
DGMS + Electrical Inspector must be informed.
No equipment should be disturbed until DGMS inspection.
Arc flash, cable fire also reportable as Dangerous Occurrence.
CMR Reg. 131/132 cover electrical safety & reporting.
Manager responsible for intimation.
Preserve accident site.
Investigation must include RCA & preventive measures.

🧩 DESCRIPTIVE MODEL QUESTION & ANSWER

Q. Explain the procedure for intimation and reporting of electrical accidents in mines as per DGMS and statutory provisions.

Answer:
As per Section 23 of the Mines Act, 1952, and Regulation 9 of CMR 2017, every electrical accident causing death or serious injury must be intimated to DGMS within 24 hours. As per Rule 44A of IE Rules, it must also be reported to the Electrical Inspector. The Manager must send the notice in Form IV and preserve the accident site. For dangerous occurrences like electrical fires (even without injury), notice is sent in Form V. DGMS Circular 2/2014 provides the standard format. Failure to report is a punishable offense.

🧮 25 DGMS-Based MCQs (5 Options Each)

Q1. Section of Mines Act dealing with accident intimation:

Solution: Section 23 of the Mines Act, 1952, explicitly details the "Notice of Accidents" to be given to authorities.

Q2. Electrical accident notice must be sent within:

Solution: As per Sec 23 of the Mines Act and Reg 9 of CMR 2017, notice of fatal or serious accidents must be given within 24 hours.

Q3. Form for accident intimation (Fatal/Serious):

Solution: Form IV (A, B, C) under the Mines Rules is the standard set of forms for reporting fatal or serious accidents.

Q4. Who must be notified in case of fatal electrical accident?

Solution: A fatal accident requires intimation to DGMS, the District Magistrate (who informs the Police), and the Electrical Inspector (as it's an electrical accident).

Q5. Electrical incident reporting falls under:

Solution: Regulation 131 (and 132 in the prompt, though 131 is about installation) cover electrical installations, and their failure/accidents are reported under Reg 9. (Note: Reg 131/132 are the closest context given).

Q6. Which is a notifiable accident/dangerous occurrence?

Solution: All these events are reportable: shock as an accident (if injury occurs), and arc flash/fire as dangerous occurrences (even without injury).

Q7. Site of accident should be:

Solution: The accident site must be left undisturbed (preserved) until the DGMS inspection is complete, unless moved for rescue/safety.

Q8. DGMS intimation done by:

Solution: The Mine Manager (or in his absence, the Agent or Owner) is the person statutorily responsible for sending the notice.

Q9. A near-miss involving electricity (e.g., flashover with no injury) is reported as:

Solution: Electrical events like explosions, fires, or flashovers are listed as "Dangerous Occurrences" (reportable even without injury) under Reg 9.

Q10. Technical report prepared by:

Solution: The competent Electrical Engineer is responsible for investigating the technical cause of the electrical failure.

Q11. Accidents must also be reported to:

Solution: As per IE Rules (Rule 44A), any electrical accident must also be reported to the Electrical Inspector of the region.

Q12. Serious electrical injury intimation time:

Solution: Serious bodily injury has the same initial intimation timeline as a fatal accident: within 24 hours.

Q13. Form V is used for:

Solution: Form V (Form 'Paanch') under Mines Rules is the prescribed format for giving notice of a Dangerous Occurrence.

Q14. Common cause of electrical fatality:

Solution: The vast majority of electrical fatalities are caused by electric shock from direct contact with a live part.

Q15. Arc flash leads to:

Solution: An arc flash is an electrical explosion that releases intense heat, light, and pressure, causing severe thermal burns.

Q16. Accident register maintained by:

Solution: The Mine Manager is responsible, often delegating the upkeep of the register to the Safety Officer.

Q17. Which equipment causes electrical accidents?

Solution: Any electrical equipment, from a high-voltage transformer to a simple pump or cable, can be a source of an accident if faulty.

Q18. Earthing system prevents:

Solution: A proper earthing system provides a safe path for fault currents, preventing machine bodies from becoming live and causing electric shock.

Q19. Electrical fire is:

Solution: Any fire in or about a mine, including electrical fires, is classified as a Dangerous Occurrence and must be reported (Reg 9, CMR 2017).

Q20. DGMS investigates:

Solution: DGMS has the statutory authority to investigate all fatal, serious, and dangerous occurrences, including electrical ones.

Q21. Failure to report accident leads to:

Solution: Non-reporting is a serious violation of the Mines Act and can lead to prosecution of the responsible officials.

Q22. Shock without injury:

Solution: An electric shock, even if it doesn't cause a reportable injury, may be classified as a dangerous occurrence and must be reported.

Q23. Electrical accident investigation includes:

Solution: A proper investigation must go beyond the immediate cause to find the Root Cause Analysis (RCA) to prevent recurrence.

Q24. DGMS circular for electrical safety reporting format:

Solution: DGMS Circular 2 of 2014 provided the standard formats (Annexures) for intimating accidents.

Q25. Purpose of intimation:

Solution: Reporting is a legal duty (A), which helps in analyzing causes to prevent recurrence (B) and improve overall safety (C).

🔗 INTERNAL LINKS

Related Topic	Read More On...
Electrical Safety	Electrical Safety & Accident Investigation
LOTO	Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) Procedures
Grounding	Grounding Regime for Power Supply
Accident Reporting	Criteria to Determine Accidents (Statistical/Non-Statistical)

⚡ Report Electrical Accidents Promptly – Save Lives, Stay Compliant!

Study more DGMS notes & MCQs at Online Mining Exam – India’s 1st Online Mining Academy.

Electrical Safety & Accident Reporting
DGMS Circulars & Regulations
5000+ Topic-wise MCQs

🌐 Visit: www.onlineminingexam.com
📞 Call/WhatsApp: 9971114020

Download Electrical Accident DGMS Notes & MCQs Now!

Online Mining Exam