Introduction

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⛑️ First Aid Rules for Mines The Mines Act, 1952 and Mines Rules, 1955 make first aid provisions compulsory in coal and metalliferous mines. The rules ensure that every injured mine worker receives immediate medical assistance and quick evacuation.

• Section 18 (Mines Act): Duty of care → includes health, safety, and first aid.
• Rules 45–50 (Mines Rules, 1955): Detailed provisions on first aid appliances, rooms, and training.

Key Provisions:

• Mines employing ≥150 persons must have a first aid room.
• Mines with fewer workers must provide first aid boxes/kits at suitable locations.
• First aid boxes must be:
• Clearly marked with a red cross on white background.
• Located at accessible places like pit-top, underground stations, workshops.
• Every shift must have a trained first aider.
• First aid room must be under charge of a dresser/compounder.
• Mines must provide transport/ambulance facilities for injured persons.
• DGMS requires regular mock drills and emergency response training.

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🧰 Equipment & Kits Required As per DGMS requirements, a first aid kit in mines must include:

• Sterile dressings, adhesive bandages
• Antiseptic solution (iodine/dettol)
• Burn treatment ointment
• Splints for fractures
• Scissors, safety pins, cotton
• Pain relievers (as permitted)
• Stretcher & blanket in first aid room

⚠️ Note: Kits must not contain drugs requiring medical supervision.

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📖 DGMS Exam-Oriented Notes

• Rule 46 (Mines Rules, 1955): First aid room mandatory if >150 workers.
• Rule 47: First aid boxes at suitable places in every mine.
• Rule 48: Weekly inspection of first aid appliances by competent person.
• Rule 49: At least one trained person in first aid on duty in each shift.
• Rule 50: Training in first aid must be provided regularly.
• DGMS Circulars: Stress on mock drills, hospital tie-ups, and quick evacuation.

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📌 One-Liner Revision Notes

1. Mines Act Sec 18 → Duty of care (includes first aid).
2. Mines Rules 45–50 → Cover first aid provisions.
3. ≥150 workers → First aid room compulsory.
4. <150 workers → First aid kits at suitable points.
5. Boxes marked with red cross on white background.
6. First aid kits at pit top, underground stations, workshops.
7. First aid room under a trained dresser/compounder.
8. One trained first aider per shift is compulsory.
9. Appliances inspected weekly.
10. Kits examined monthly and replenished.
11. Kits must not contain drugs requiring prescription.
12. First aid rooms → bed, stretcher, sterilizer, dressings.
13. Registers maintained for first aid cases.
14. Injured must get first aid before hospital transfer.
15. Mines must provide ambulance/transport.
16. Display list of trained first aiders & emergency contacts.
17. Mock drills compulsory by DGMS circulars.
18. CPR training is part of first aid.
19. DGMS supervises first aid training.
20. Failure to provide first aid = legal contravention.

✅ MCQs – First Aid in Mines (25 Questions) Q1. First aid provisions in mines are governed mainly under:
A) Mines Act, 1952 Sec 18–23
B) Mines Rules, 1955 Rules 45–50
C) CMR 2017
D) MMR 1961
E) All of the above
Answer: E
Solution: Mines Act + Mines Rules + CMR/MMR all mandate first aid facilities.

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Q2. A first aid room is compulsory in mines employing:
A) 50 persons
B) 100 persons
C) 150 persons
D) 200 persons
E) Not compulsory
Answer: C
Solution: Rule 46 Mines Rules → ≥150 workers.

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Q3. Who is responsible for maintaining first aid kits?
A) Safety Officer
B) Mine Owner/Agent/Manager
C) DGMS
D) Trade Union
E) Shift Overman
Answer: B
Solution: Ultimate responsibility rests with owner/agent/manager.

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Q4. First aid appliances in mines must be:
A) Kept in manager’s office only
B) Carried by every worker
C) Easily accessible & clearly marked
D) Kept in lamp room only
E) None
Answer: C
Solution: Kits must be accessible & marked with red cross.

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Q5. Which symbol marks first aid boxes?
A) Blue star
B) White cross on green background
C) Red cross on white background
D) Yellow triangle
E) DGMS logo
Answer: C
Solution: Standard symbol = red cross on white background.

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Q6. What is NOT allowed in mine first aid kits?
A) Bandages
B) Antiseptics
C) Pain relievers
D) Antibiotics requiring prescription
E) Splints
Answer: D
Solution: No drugs requiring medical supervision are allowed.

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Q7. Each first aid kit must be inspected:
A) Daily
B) Weekly
C) Monthly
D) Yearly
E) Only after accidents
Answer: B
Solution: Mines Rules → weekly inspection by competent person.

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Q8. Who must be available in every shift for first aid?
A) Medical Officer
B) Pharmacist
C) Trained First Aider
D) Rescue Brigade Member
E) Blaster
Answer: C
Solution: Every shift must have a trained first aider.

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Q9. First aid training in mines is supervised by:
A) DGMS
B) State Labour Dept.
C) Mine Manager
D) Safety Committee
E) Hospital
Answer: A
Solution: DGMS conducts/supervises training & certification.

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Q10. Stretcher and blankets must be available at:
A) Rescue station only
B) First aid room
C) Office of manager
D) Workshop
E) Pit bottom only
Answer: B
Solution: Rule 46 → First aid room must contain stretcher & blanket.

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Q11. Immediate objective of first aid in mines is:
A) To cure the patient
B) To reduce production loss
C) To provide immediate relief & prevent worsening
D) To replace medical officer
E) To transport victim quickly
Answer: C
Solution: First aid = initial help until medical care is given.

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Q12. First aid boxes in underground must be located at:
A) Pit top only
B) Office only
C) Suitable points like pit bottom, haulage room, stations
D) Rescue room only
E) None
Answer: C
Solution: Kits must be near working places.

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Q13. First aid training includes:
A) CPR & artificial respiration
B) Splinting fractures
C) Treating burns & cuts
D) Transport methods
E) All of the above
Answer: E
Solution: Training covers all standard first aid methods.

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Q14. First aid registers must record:
A) Only deaths
B) Only accidents
C) Every case where first aid is rendered
D) DGMS inspections
E) Production loss
Answer: C
Solution: All treatments given must be logged.

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Q15. Who can be in charge of a first aid room?
A) Blaster
B) Overman
C) Qualified dresser/compounder
D) Clerk
E) Winder man
Answer: C
Solution: Rule 46 → dresser/compounder in charge.

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Q16. Mines employing <150 persons must:
A) Not maintain any kit
B) Maintain adequate first aid appliances at suitable points
C) Have full-time doctor
D) Establish hospital
E) None
Answer: B
Solution: Kits mandatory even in small mines.

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Q17. During an accident, the injured must first be:
A) Sent to hospital
B) Given proper first aid at site
C) Reported to DGMS
D) Recorded in register
E) Sent home
Answer: B
Solution: First aid must be provided immediately before transport.

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Q18. In case of burns, first aid in mines recommends:
A) Breaking blisters
B) Applying antiseptic cream or clean dressing
C) Rubbing with coal dust
D) Applying strong acid
E) None
Answer: B
Solution: Apply antiseptic/clean dressing, not harmful practices.

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Q19. In case of suspected fracture, first aid is to:
A) Move patient without support
B) Apply splint and immobilize
C) Bandage loosely
D) Wait for doctor
E) None
Answer: B
Solution: Splint prevents further injury.

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Q20. DGMS circulars stress on:
A) Regular first aid mock drills
B) Keeping medicines in lamp room
C) Using workers as doctors
D) Ignoring minor injuries
E) Closing canteen
Answer: A
Solution: Drills ensure preparedness for emergencies.

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Q21. Artificial respiration (mouth-to-mouth/CPR) is used for:
A) Burn injuries
B) Unconscious but breathing victims
C) Cardiac/respiratory arrest
D) Fractures
E) None
Answer: C
Solution: CPR = life-saving measure in cardiac/respiratory arrest.

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Q22. Responsibility of ensuring ambulance/transport lies with:
A) Trade union
B) DGMS
C) Mine owner/agent/manager
D) First aid committee
E) None
Answer: C
Solution: Mines must provide transport facilities.

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Q23. First aid room must be:
A) Dark & isolated
B) Sanitary, ventilated, well-lit
C) Inside explosive magazine
D) Next to workshop only
E) Not regulated
Answer: B
Solution: Mines Rules → sanitary & well-ventilated.

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Q24. First aid kits must be replenished:
A) Monthly
B) Only when DGMS visits
C) Immediately after use
D) Every year
E) None
Answer: C
Solution: Used items must be replaced immediately.

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Q25. Failure to provide first aid in mines is:
A) Minor negligence
B) Violation of Mines Act & Rules
C) Worker’s responsibility
D) Not punishable
E) Ignored by DGMS
Answer: B
Solution: Non-compliance = punishable under Mines Act.

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                         🩺 Conclusion

First Aid in Mines First aid is the first line of defense in any mining emergency. Accidents such as falls, explosions, fires, and machinery injuries can occur suddenly, and the initial few minutes are critical in saving lives. The Mines Rules, 1955 (Rule 45–51) and various DGMS circulars mandate that every mine must have trained first-aid personnel, properly equipped first-aid stations, and updated medical supplies at all times. A well-implemented first-aid system ensures:

• Immediate treatment to injured persons before medical evacuation.
• Reduced fatality rate and prevention of complications.
• Legal compliance with DGMS and Mines Rules.
• Enhanced safety culture and worker confidence.

For DGMS exams, remember that first aid is not just medical—it’s managerial responsibility. Every manager, overman, and supervisor must ensure that first-aid readiness is a part of the mine’s safety management plan.