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Occupational Health Surveillance in Mines – DGMS Guidelines & Facilities

Occupational Health Surveillance in Mines – DGMS Guidelines & Mines Rules, 1955

🏗️ Detailed Notes

1️⃣ Introduction

Occupational health surveillance (OHS) ensures continuous monitoring of the health of mine workers who are exposed to dust, noise, vibration, gases, and heat. It is a legal requirement under Mines Rules, 1955 (Rules 29A–29L) and DGMS guidelines, to protect workers from occupational diseases like pneumoconiosis, silicosis, and NIHL (Noise-Induced Hearing Loss).

2️⃣ Legal Framework

Provision Description
Mines Rules, 1955 (Rules 29A–29L) Defines medical examination, periodic check-up, and occupational health center facilities.
Mines Act, 1952 (Sec. 21 & 22) Ensures health, sanitation, and welfare of mine workers.
DGMS Tech. Circulars (08/2007, 01/2015) Provide implementation guidelines for medical surveillance.

3️⃣ Objectives of Health Surveillance

  • Early detection of occupational diseases.
  • Prevention of disease progression through treatment.
  • Evaluation of dust, noise, and environmental exposure levels.
  • Maintenance of health data for DGMS compliance.
  • Promoting awareness of occupational hygiene.

4️⃣ Types of Medical Examinations

(a) Initial Medical Examination (IME): Before employment — ensures fitness for assigned mining duties.

(b) Periodic Medical Examination (PME): Once every 5 years (<45 years) and every 3 years (>45 years).

(c) Special Medical Examination: For suspected occupational disease or post-accident rehabilitation.

5️⃣ Occupational Health Centre (OHC) – Facilities

Facility Requirement
Medical Officer Qualified doctor appointed full-time in large mines.
First Aid Room Equipped with oxygen, stretcher, medicines.
Diagnostic Equipment X-ray, audiometer, spirometer, ECG, and vision testing.
Record System Form O and Form P maintained for each worker.
Reporting System Annual submission to DGMS and Health Board.

6️⃣ Common Occupational Diseases

Disease Primary Cause
Pneumoconiosis Respirable dust inhalation
Silicosis Free silica exposure
NIHL High noise (>90 dB)
Heat Stroke Underground hot environment
Dermatitis Chemical exposure
Vibration Syndrome Prolonged vibrating tool use

7️⃣ Reporting & Record Keeping

  • Maintain Form O (Medical Report) and Form P (Health Register).
  • Occupational disease cases must be reported to DGMS within 15 days.
  • Health records preserved for 40 years or duration of service.

8️⃣ DGMS Recommendations

  • Establish OHC for mines with >150 workers.
  • Conduct PME for all employees.
  • Engage occupational health specialists.
  • Digitalize health records.
  • Educate workers on health risks.

⚡ Quick One-Liners

  • Occupational health surveillance = continuous monitoring.
  • Governed by Rules 29A–29L of Mines Rules, 1955.
  • PME every 5 yrs (<45) and 3 yrs (>45).
  • OHC mandatory in large mines (>150 workers).
  • Maintain Form O & P for DGMS records.
  • Report occupational disease in 15 days.
  • DGMS Circular: Tech. 08/2007.
  • NIHL – Noise-Induced Hearing Loss.
  • Records preserved for 40 years.
  • Aim: “Prevention better than cure.”

🧠 Descriptive Model Question & Answer

Q. Explain the arrangements and facilities for occupational health surveillance of mine workers as per DGMS and Mines Rules, 1955.

Answer:
As per Rules 29A–29L of Mines Rules, 1955, every mine owner must establish a system of Occupational Health Surveillance (OHS) to monitor the health of workers exposed to hazards. It includes:

  • Initial medical examination before employment,
  • Periodic medical examination (PME) during service, and
  • Special examinations for suspected disease cases.

Mines employing over 150 workers must maintain an Occupational Health Centre (OHC) equipped with a doctor, first aid, X-ray, audiometry, and spirometry facilities. Health records in Form O & P are maintained and preserved for 40 years. All occupational diseases (e.g., silicosis, NIHL) must be reported to DGMS within 15 days. Thus, OHS helps in early detection, disease prevention, and ensuring worker welfare in compliance with DGMS standards.

🎯 25 MCQs – Occupational Health Surveillance in Mines

Q1. Occupational health surveillance is governed by which rules?

Solution: Rules 29A–29L of Mines Rules, 1955 deal with OHS.

Q2. PME stands for:

Solution: PME stands for Periodic Medical Examination.

Q3. PME frequency for workers below 45 years:

Solution: PME is conducted every 5 years for workers below 45 years.

Q4. PME frequency for workers above 45 years:

Solution: PME is conducted every 3 years for workers above 45 years.

Q5. Occupational Health Centre is mandatory when:

Solution: An OHC is mandatory if the mine employs more than 150 workers.

Q6. Medical examination record maintained in:

Solution: Both Form O (Medical Report) and Form P (Health Register) are used.

Q7. Silicosis is caused by:

Solution: Silicosis results from inhaling fine crystalline silica dust.

Q8. Hearing loss in mines due to noise is called:

Solution: Prolonged exposure to high noise levels causes Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL).

Q9. Occupational diseases must be reported to DGMS within:

Solution: Rule 29L requires reporting within 15 days of detection.

Q10. Health records to be preserved for:

Solution: Medical records must be preserved for 40 years or the duration of service, whichever is longer.

Q11. DGMS Technical Circular for OHS:

Solution: DGMS Tech. Circular 08/2007 provides guidelines for OHS implementation.

Q12. OHC should be headed by:

Solution: A qualified medical practitioner must oversee the OHC.

Q13. Form P records:

Solution: Form P is the Health Register containing worker health data.

Q14. Spirometer measures:

Solution: A spirometer is used to assess lung function, vital for detecting respiratory diseases.

Q15. Audiometer checks:

Solution: An audiometer is used to test hearing ability and detect hearing loss.

Q16. Mines employing <150 workers:

Solution: Smaller mines must arrange medical examinations through empaneled doctors or nearby facilities.

Q17. Occupational disease reports are verified by:

Solution: DGMS is the nodal agency for monitoring and verifying occupational disease reports in mines.

Q18. Rule 29A relates to:

Solution: Rule 29A specifically deals with the initial and periodic medical examination requirements.

Q19. Main purpose of OHS:

Solution: The primary goal is to identify work-related health issues early for prevention and treatment.

Q20. Medical data maintained for:

Solution: Health data is crucial for complying with regulations and implementing preventive health measures.

Q21. Heat stress common in:

Solution: Deep underground mines often have high temperatures and humidity, leading to heat stress risks.

Q22. Pneumoconiosis caused by:

Solution: Pneumoconiosis is a lung disease caused by inhaling fine respirable dust particles (like coal or silica).

Q23. NIHL limit threshold:

Solution: The permissible noise exposure limit for an 8-hour shift is generally 90 dB(A) to prevent NIHL.

Q24. DGMS ensures OHS to:

Solution: The core mandate of DGMS regarding OHS is the prevention of work-related diseases.

Q25. Full form of OHS:

Solution: OHS stands for Occupational Health Surveillance.

🔗 Internal Linking Suggestions

Related Topic Read More On...
Medical Rules Medical Re-examination by Appellate Board - Rule 29K
Health & Welfare Health, Welfare & Behavioural Safety
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Mines Act Overview Mines Act, 1952 Simplified - Key Provisions

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