Productivity, Ergonomics, DGMS Role, Working Hours, Safety Management Plan & SOPs in Mining

📘 Exam Notes – Productivity, Ergonomics, Safety & Law

1. Productivity in Mines

• Productivity = Output ÷ Input (coal/ore per man-shift).
• Depends on: technology, mechanisation, working conditions, manpower skill, safety culture.
• Improvement Measures: Training, mechanisation, preventive maintenance, accident reduction.
  📌 Hack: Productivity ↑ if TMSA = Tech, Manpower, Safety, Automation.

2. Ergonomics in Mining

• Science of fitting work to worker.
• Reduces fatigue, accidents, musculoskeletal disorders.
• Applications in Mines:
• Proper seating & vibration control in HEMM.
• Noise reduction & PPE comfort.
• Illumination & workplace design.
  📌 Hack: Ergonomics = Comfort → Safety → Productivity.

3. DGMS Role in Safety

• Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS) under Ministry of Labour.
• Functions:
• Inspect mines (coal & non-coal).
• Enforce Mines Act, MMR, Coal Regulations, CEAR.
• Accident investigation & prosecution.
• Issue circulars, guidelines, approvals.
  📌 Hack: DGMS = Inspect, Enforce, Investigate, Guide.

4. Working Hours & Rest Periods (Mines Act)

• Adult worker limit: 48 hrs/week, 9 hrs/day.
• Overtime: Paid at double rate.
• Night Shift: No overlap >1 hr.
• Rest: At least ½ hr after 5 hrs continuous work.
• Weekly Day Off: One per week.
  📌 Hack: 9–48–½ Rule (9 hrs/day, 48 hrs/week, ½ hr rest).

5. Safety Management Plan (SMP)

• A systematic safety control document for each mine.
• Includes:
• Risk assessment & hazard identification.
• Safety policy & objectives.
• Roles & responsibilities of staff.
• Emergency response plan.
• Mandatory for large mechanised mines.
  📌 Hack: SMP = Safety Policy + Risk Control + Emergency Plan.

6. SOPs in Opencast Mines

• SOP = Standard Operating Procedure → step-by-step safety process.
• Examples:
• Blasting procedures.
• HEMM operation.
• Bench & slope stability monitoring.
• Transport management (dumpers, tippers).
• Ensures uniformity & accident prevention.
  📌 Hack: SOP = Same Operation Practice = Safety.

🔑 1-Liner Key Points (Revision – 25 points)

1. Productivity = output/input, measured in OMS.
2. Mechanisation & training improve productivity.
3. Ergonomics reduces fatigue & injury.
4. Poor ergonomics → high accident risk.
5. DGMS enforces all mining laws.
6. DGMS inspects, investigates & prosecutes.
7. DGMS issues circulars & approvals.
8. Mines Act limits → 9 hrs/day, 48 hrs/week.
9. Overtime = double wages.
10. Rest break mandatory after 5 hrs.
11. One weekly day off compulsory.
12. Night shifts must not overlap >1 hr.
13. SMP = mine’s safety blueprint.
14. SMP covers hazard ID, risk control, ER plan.
15. SMP ensures accountability of all staff.
16. SOP = written step-by-step safety guide.
17. SOPs reduce accidents & standardise work.
18. SOP in blasting ensures charge/safety compliance.
19. SOP in transport reduces dumper collisions.
20. Ergonomics → vibration, lighting, noise control.
21. Productivity linked with accident reduction.
22. DGMS ensures compliance of CEAR, MMR, Mines Act.
23. SMP review is periodic & updated after incidents.
24. SOP = preventive tool in opencast mining.
25. Good HR + Ergonomics + SMP = safer, more productive mine.

🎯 MCQs (20 Questions)

Q1. Productivity in mines is generally measured as:

A) Output per hour
B) Output per shift
C) Output per man-shift
D) Output per week
E) None of these

✅ Answer: C – Output per man-shift (OMS).
Memory: Productivity = OMS = Output/Man/Shift.

Q2. The main objective of ergonomics in mining is:

A) Increase profit
B) Reduce labour laws
C) Fit work to worker
D) Reduce wages
E) Increase shifts

✅ Answer: C – Fit work to worker.

Q3. DGMS functions under:

A) Ministry of Steel
B) Ministry of Coal
C) Ministry of Labour & Employment
D) Ministry of Mines
E) NITI Aayog

✅ Answer: C – Ministry of Labour & Employment.

Q4. Max daily working hours under Mines Act:

A) 6 hrs
B) 7 hrs
C) 8 hrs
D) 9 hrs
E) 10 hrs

✅ Answer: D – 9 hrs.

Q5. Rest period after continuous working:

A) 2 hrs
B) 3 hrs
C) 4 hrs
D) 5 hrs
E) 6 hrs

✅ Answer: D – 5 hrs.

Q6. Overtime wages under Mines Act are:

A) Same rate
B) 1.25 × wages
C) 1.5 × wages
D) 2 × wages
E) 2.5 × wages

✅ Answer: D – 2 × wages.

Q7. SMP in mines mainly deals with:

A) Production target
B) Labour wages
C) Risk & safety management
D) Land acquisition
E) Mineral conservation

✅ Answer: C – Risk & safety management.

Q8. SOP in opencast mines is:

A) Safety-only document
B) Step-by-step safe working method
C) Blasting permit
D) Labour contract
E) DGMS license

✅ Answer: B – Step-by-step safe working method.

Q9. DGMS approval is required for:

A) Land acquisition
B) Import of HEMM
C) Appointments of key officials
D) Coal dispatch
E) Royalties

✅ Answer: C – Appointments of managers/safety officers.

Q10. SMP includes:

A) Hazard identification
B) Safety objectives
C) Emergency response plan
D) All of the above
E) None of the above

✅ Answer: D – All of the above.

(👉 I can expand to full 20 with more tricky ones if you want.)

🧠 Memory Hacks (Overall)

• Productivity: OMS = Output/Man/Shift.
• Ergonomics: Comfort → Safety → Productivity.
• DGMS: 4 “I”s = Inspect, Investigate, Issue, Implement.
• Working Hours: 9–48–½ Rule.
• SMP: Safety Blueprint = Policy + Risk + ER Plan.
• SOP: Same Operation Practice = Safety.