LIGHTING REQUIREMENTS Section 23(2)(vii) – OSHWC Code 2020 | Mine Workers Rules ============================================================ 

1.1 INTRODUCTION Section 23(2)(vii) mandates that every mine workplace, building, and working environment shall have adequate and suitable lighting, natural or artificial, to ensure safety, visibility, and comfort for mine workers. Lighting must ensure:

• Clear visibility of hazards
• Safe movement of vehicles & workers
• Prevention of accidents
• Comfort and hygiene in workplaces
• Compliance with DGMS standards

This rule applies to all areas inside mine premises, both surface and underground (where applicable for buildings/workshops). ============================================================ 

  1.2 OBJECTIVE OF LIGHTING REQUIREMENTS The lighting system must:

1. Ensure safe operational visibility.
2. Reduce the risk of slip, trip, collision, and machinery accidents.
3. Improve work accuracy and hazard detection.
4. Prevent eye strain and fatigue.
5. Provide illumination in welfare buildings.
6. Maintain lighting during night operations (common in opencast mines).

============================================================ 

  1.3 WHERE LIGHTING IS MANDATORY 

  A. Working Areas

• Coal benches
• OB benches
• Shovel/excavator loading points
• Dragline/Dozer operating zones
• Crushers & conveyors
• Drilling areas

B. Haul Roads

• Main haul roads
• Internal haul roads
• Curves, gradients, intersections
• Dump approach roads

C. Dump Areas

• Dump edges
• Spoil heaps
• Dozer pushing zones

D. Stockyards & Dispatch Areas

• Coal stockpile
• Railway siding
• Truck loading points
• CHP

E. Administrative & Welfare Buildings

• Canteen
• Rest shelters
• First aid room
• Bath/Change room
• Office buildings

Note: All must meet “adequate and suitable illumination” as per OSHWC Code. ============================================================ 

  1.4 TYPES OF LIGHTING REQUIRED 

  1. Natural Lighting

• Windows
• Skylights
• Ventilators
• Transparent roof sheets

Used in:

• Offices
• Canteen
• Change rooms

2. Artificial Lighting Mandatory for:

• Night shifts
• Enclosed rooms
• High-traffic areas
• Working benches
• Crusher/CHP

Types:

• LED floodlights
• Tower lights
• Portable lights
• Headlights on HEMM
• Tube lights in buildings

============================================================ 

  1.5 LIGHTING STANDARDS (DGMS-APPROVED VALUES) 

 These are typical DGMS-recommended values used in exam answers:

Location	Minimum Illumination (LUX)
Haul roads	3–5 Lux
Workshop	20 Lux
Crushing/Screening	10 Lux
Stockyard	10–20 Lux
Office/Canteen	100 Lux
First Aid Room	150 Lux
Washrooms	30 Lux
Parking/Waiting area	3–5 Lux

Use these in oral exam responses. ============================================================ 

  1.6 CRITICAL LIGHTING REQUIREMENTS (MANDATORY) 1. Tower Lighting

• Used in benches, dumps, stockyard
• Must not blind operators
• Must illuminate working face

2. Haul Road Illumination

• Continuous lighting
• No dark patches
• Proper height & aiming
• Lights at curves & crossings

3. Dump Edge Lighting

• Clear visibility of tipping points
• Lights mounted at adequate height

4. HEMM Lighting

• Headlights, brake lights, rear lights required
• Must illuminate 30–40 m ahead
• Working lights must function at night

5. Building Illumination

• Canteen, washrooms, first-aid rooms must have uniform lighting
• No flickering/broken lights

============================================================ 

  1.7 HAZARDS OF INADEQUATE LIGHTING Important for DGMS Viva:

• Collision accidents
• Poor identification of dump edge → rollovers
• Falls from height
• Slips & trips
• Misjudgement by operators
• Increased fatigue
• Reduced productivity
• Eye strain

============================================================ 

  1.8 INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS Assistant Manager / Manager must ensure:

• Lighting survey (night check)
• LUX measurement
• Replacement of fused lights
• Correct focusing of tower lights
• Adequate illumination at all work points
• Testing of portable lamps
• Illumination in emergency routes

Record must be maintained in:

• Lighting register
• Night inspection register

============================================================ 

  1.9 DUTIES OF MANAGEMENT

• Provide adequate lighting equipment
• Maintain emergency backup supply
• Provide illumination maps for OC workings
• Ensure trained electricians maintain the system
• Replace broken fixtures immediately

============================================================ 

  1.10 DUTIES OF WORKERS

• Report broken lights
• Ensure headlights are working
• Avoid working in dark zones
• Do not tamper with lighting towers

============================================================ 

  2. QUICK ONE-LINERS

1. Lighting rule under Section 23(2)(vii).
2. Adequate natural/artificial lighting mandatory.
3. Haul roads must have continuous lighting.
4. Dump edges must be well illuminated.
5. Tower lights used for benches & stockyard.
6. Workshop must have around 20 Lux.
7. First-aid room must have 150 Lux.
8. HEMM must have working headlights.
9. No dark patches allowed in haul roads.
10. Good lighting reduces accidents.
11. Lighting must not glare operators.
12. Illumination survey mandatory.
13. Broken lights → immediate replacement.
14. Crusher/CHP needs 10 Lux.
15. Washrooms need 30 Lux.
16. Canteen needs 100 Lux.
17. Lighting affects visibility directly.
18. Poor lighting leads to haul road accidents.
19. Record must be maintained.
20. Emergency lighting necessary.
21. LEDs preferred for mine lighting.
22. Trackless traffic needs high visibility.
23. Dump edge lighting prevents fall hazards.
24. Tower lights must be properly aimed.
25. Lighting is part of workplace hygiene under OSHWC Code.

============================================================ 

  3. DESCRIPTIVE MODEL ANSWER Question:
Explain the lighting requirements under Section 23(2)(vii) of the Mine Workers Rules, OSHWC Code 2020. Model Answer:
Section 23(2)(vii) of the Mine Workers Rules under the OSHWC Code 2020 requires that every mine building and workplace be provided with adequate and suitable lighting, whether natural or artificial, to ensure the safety, health and comfort of workers. This includes illumination of all working areas such as coal benches, OB benches, haul roads, dump edges, workshops, stockyards, crushers, canteen, washrooms and first-aid rooms. Night operations require tower lighting, haul road lighting and adequate illumination of working faces. Illumination levels must meet DGMS standards, typically 3–5 lux on haul roads, 10–20 lux in working zones, 20 lux in workshops and 100–150 lux in welfare buildings. Lighting must be uniform, free of dark patches and maintained regularly. HEMM must have functional headlights and warning lights. Managers must ensure regular inspection, LUX measurement and prompt replacement of faulty lights. These requirements minimize accidents, improve visibility, reduce fatigue and ensure compliance with OSHWC and DGMS safety standards. ============================================================