Use and Safety of Manila Ropes in Mines – DGMS Guidelines, Testing & 25 MCQs

🧾 DETAILED NOTES

1️⃣ Introduction

Manila ropes are natural fiber ropes made from the abacá plant, known for flexibility and high tensile strength. They are used in mines for light lifting, signaling, scaffolding, and temporary suspension work, but not for heavy-duty hoisting or haulage. Due to their organic nature, they are susceptible to wear, moisture, and decay, hence DGMS regulates their safe use through periodic inspection and restricted application.

2️⃣ DGMS Concern

DGMS investigations have revealed multiple cases of rope breakage accidents in mines due to: Overloading, Use of old/decayed manila ropes, Lack of proper testing, and Inappropriate use in lifting or winding operations. To prevent such incidents, DGMS issued strict guidelines regarding testing, inspection, and permissible use of manila ropes in mines.

3️⃣ Legal Framework

Reference	Description
The Mines Act, 1952 – Sec. 23	Employer’s duty to ensure safe equipment.
CMR 2017 – Reg. 88	Examination and maintenance of ropes (General provisions).
MMR 1961 – Reg. 84	Use of ropes for winding or haulage (mandating steel ropes).
DGMS Circular (Tech.) No. 09/2016	Use of manila ropes in mines (reiterating restrictions).
IS: 1084 – 1999	Indian Standard for manila rope specifications.

4️⃣ Characteristics of Manila Ropes

Made from natural abacá fibres.
Strong, flexible, and resistant to mild friction.
Loses strength significantly when wet or decayed.
Easily damaged by acid, oil, and sunlight.
Life expectancy: 6–12 months (depending on use).

5️⃣ Approved Applications in Mines

Application	Condition
Signaling ropes	Permitted, if maintained dry.
Safety fence / temporary barrier	Allowed.
Scaffold rope (temporary)	Permitted under supervision (light duty).
Hoisting / winding	❌ Not allowed.
Suspension for lifting men or materials	❌ Strictly prohibited.

6️⃣ Inspection and Testing

All manila ropes must be tested before first use and thereafter every 3 months.

Breaking load test (minimum 5× working load).
Visual inspection for fraying, mildew, or discoloration.
Ropes showing cuts, swelling, or soft spots must be immediately discarded.

7️⃣ Safe Usage Practices

Avoid use in wet or acidic areas.
Keep ropes dry and stored on wooden reels.
Do not drag ropes over sharp edges.
Never overload beyond safe working load (SWL).
Replace ropes after 6 months or earlier if worn out.
Only competent persons shall handle rope testing and maintenance.

⚙️ QUICK ONE-LINERS (Revision Points)

DGMS Circular 09/2016 – Use of manila ropes.
CMR Reg. 88 (general) / MMR Reg. 84 (specific) – Rope inspection and testing.
IS 1084 – Rope manufacturing standard.
Test frequency – Every 3 months.
Breaking load ≥ 5× working load.
Not allowed for winding or hoisting persons/materials.
Must be stored dry and away from oil/acid.
Discard when frayed, discolored, or soft.
Testing lab – CIMFR/NTH.
Certificate to be signed by competent person.

🧩 DESCRIPTIVE MODEL QUESTION & ANSWER

Q. What are the DGMS requirements for the use and testing of manila ropes in mines?

Answer:
As per DGMS Circular 09/2016 and regulations like MMR 1961 (Reg. 84), manila ropes can be used only for light applications such as signaling or temporary scaffolding. They must be tested before first use and every three months thereafter at DGMS-approved laboratories (CIMFR/NTH). The minimum breaking load should be five times the intended working load, and ropes showing signs of decay or damage must be replaced immediately. Use for winding, hauling, or suspension of persons/materials is strictly prohibited.

🧮 25 DGMS-Based MCQs (5 Options Each)

Q1. DGMS Circular governing manila rope use:

Solution: DGMS (Tech.) Circular No. 09/2016 provides guidelines on the restricted use of manila ropes.

Q2. Regulation for rope inspection in coal mines:

Solution: Regulation 88 of CMR 2017 (and MMR 1961) provides general provisions for the examination and maintenance of ropes.

Q3. Standard for manila rope:

Solution: IS 1084:1999 is the Indian Standard specification for manila ropes.

Q4. Test frequency for manila rope:

Solution: Manila ropes used for safety purposes (like scaffolding) must be tested at least once every 3 months.

Q5. Breaking load must be at least:

Solution: A standard factor of safety (FOS) for fiber ropes in light applications is 5, meaning breaking load is 5 times the SWL.

Q6. Manila ropes used for:

Solution: Their use is restricted to non-safety-critical, light-duty applications like signaling.

Q7. Not allowed use:

Solution: Haulage and winding are safety-critical load-bearing operations where manila ropes are strictly prohibited.

Q8. Testing lab approved by DGMS:

Solution: CIMFR (Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research) is a premier DGMS-approved laboratory for testing ropes.

Q9. Cause of manila rope failure:

Solution: As a natural fiber, manila rope is highly susceptible to rot and degradation from moisture.

Q10. Average life of manila rope:

Solution: Due to degradation, the safe service life of a manila rope in a mine is typically limited to 6-12 months.

Q11. Ropes showing soft spots:

Solution: Soft spots, fraying, or mildew indicate internal decay, and the rope must be immediately discarded.

Q12. Material of manila rope:

Solution: Manila rope is a natural fiber rope made from the abacá plant.

Q13. Manila ropes must be:

Solution: Storing them in a dry, ventilated area is crucial to prevent moisture absorption and rot.

Q14. Overloading leads to:

Solution: Exceeding the Safe Working Load (SWL) can cause the rope fibers to snap, leading to breakage.

Q15. Rope certificate includes:

Solution: A test certificate must include all key specifications of the rope and the results of the test.

Q16. Manila rope prohibited in:

Solution: Shaft winding is a safety-critical operation for which only approved steel wire ropes are permitted.

Q17. Manila rope should be tested by:

Solution: Destructive and non-destructive tests for certification must be done at an approved laboratory (like CIMFR, NTH).

Q18. DGMS inspection includes checking:

Solution: DGMS inspectors will verify statutory records, including the validity of rope test certificates.

Q19. Manila ropes stored in:

Solution: They must be stored in a cool, dry, shaded, and ventilated area away from chemicals to prevent degradation.

Q20. IS 1084 covers:

Solution: IS 1084 is the Indian Standard for manila (natural fiber) ropes.

Q21. Visual inspection detects:

Solution: Visual inspection helps identify external signs of wear and tear, like broken fibers (fraying) or rot (mildew).

Q22. DGMS prohibits use in:

Solution: Lifting personnel or materials is a safety-critical, load-bearing operation for which manila ropes are prohibited.

Q23. Natural fibre rope weakens when:

Solution: Moisture absorption is the primary cause of strength loss and decay in manila ropes.

Q24. Safe working load =

Solution: A Factor of Safety (FOS) of 5 (or 1/5) is a common standard for light-duty fiber ropes.

Q25. Manila ropes mainly used for:

Solution: Their use is restricted to non-safety-critical, light-duty applications.

🔗 INTERNAL LINKS

Related Topic	Read More On...
Mine Rescue	Mines Rescue Rules, 1985 - Notes & MCQs
CMR 2017	CMR 2017 Part 2 - Working & Supervision Rules
MMR 1961	Metalliferous Mines Regulations 1961 - Chapter 1
DGMS Circulars	DGMS Tech Circular No. 02 of 2020

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