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            ⚙️ Risk Matrix in Mine Safety 

The Risk Matrix is one of the most effective and widely used tools in mine safety management.
It forms a core part of the Risk Management Plan (RMP) and Safety Management Plan (SMP) under DGMS guidelines and is essential for First & Second Class Manager exams (Coal & Metal). DGMS circulars such as Tech (SOMA) Circular No. 03 of 2019 mandate the use of risk assessment and control systems for identifying, evaluating, and reducing mine hazards.

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🧩 What is a Risk Matrix? 

 A Risk Matrix is a tool used to evaluate the level of risk by considering two main factors:

1. Likelihood (Probability) – How likely is the event to occur?
2. Consequence (Severity) – What will be the impact if it does occur?

The intersection of these two parameters gives the Risk Rating, helping management prioritize safety actions.

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🧮 Structure of a Risk Matrix

Likelihood ↓ / Consequence →	Insignificant	Minor	Moderate	Major	Catastrophic
Almost Certain (5)	M	H	H	E	E
Likely (4)	M	M	H	H	E
Possible (3)	L	M	H	H	E
Unlikely (2)	L	L	M	H	H
Rare (1)	L	L	M	M	H

Legend:

• L = Low Risk
• M = Medium Risk
• H = High Risk
• E = Extreme Risk

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🔹 Key DGMS Definitions

• Hazard: Source or situation with potential for harm.
• Risk: Combination of likelihood and consequence of an event.
• Control: Measure taken to eliminate or reduce risk.

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⛑️ How to Use a Risk Matrix in Mine Safety 🔸 Step 1: Identify Hazards 

      Examples:

• Fire in underground panel
• Slope failure in opencast
• Electrical shock during maintenance
• Conveyor belt entanglement

🔸 Step 2: Assess Likelihood &Consequence 

 Each hazard is scored based on its probability and severity.

Parameter	Rating	Example
Likelihood	1–5	Rare → Almost certain
Consequence	1–5	Minor injury → Fatal accident

🔸 Step 3: Calculate Risk Level [
Risk = Likelihood × Consequence
]
Example: Fire hazard = 4 (likely) × 5 (catastrophic) = 20 → Extreme Risk 🔸 Step 4: Control & Mitigate Apply the Hierarchy of Control:

1. Elimination
2. Substitution
3. Engineering controls
4. Administrative controls
5. PPE

🔸 Step 5: Review Regularly Reassess risk whenever:

• Work conditions change
• New equipment/process introduced
• After incidents or audits

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🦺 DGMS Relevance

DGMS mandates risk assessment under the following statutes:

• CMR 2017, Regulation 106 & 109 – Safety Management Plan.
• MMR 1961, Regulation 95B – Risk management in metal mines.
• DGMS Tech Circular 03/2019 – SMP and WRAC system guidelines.

WRAC – Workplace Risk Assessment and Control is the official format for risk analysis.
The risk matrix helps categorize hazards into low, medium, high, or extreme risk, guiding corrective actions.

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⚡ Advantages of Using a Risk Matrix 

✅ Simple and visual
✅ Helps in prioritizing risks
✅ Improves decision-making for managers
✅ Forms part of SMP and WRAC templates
✅ Supports DGMS compliance

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🧾 Descriptive Model Answer 

 Q: Explain the use of a Risk Matrix in mine safety management. 

  Answer:
A Risk Matrix is a systematic tool for evaluating and ranking mine hazards based on likelihood and consequence.
It helps determine which risks need immediate attention.
The matrix supports preparation of Safety Management Plans as required under CMR 2017 and DGMS Circular 03/2019.
By applying the hierarchy of control, mine management ensures all high and extreme risks are minimized or eliminated.
It is a key instrument for DGMS audits and managerial exams.

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🧠 Quick One-Liners

• Risk = Likelihood × Consequence.
• Used in WRAC forms under SMP.
• DGMS Tech (SOMA) Circular 03/2019 governs risk matrix use.
• 5×5 matrix = most common in mining.
• High risk → immediate corrective action.
• Hierarchy of Control: E → S → E → A → P (Eliminate to PPE).
• Mandatory under CMR Reg. 106 and MMR Reg. 95B.

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🧩 25 MCQs – Risk Matrix in Mine Safety 

Q1. The Risk Matrix evaluates risk based on:
A. Temperature & Humidity
B. Likelihood & Consequence
C. Pressure & Volume
D. Effort & Cost
E. None
Answer: B.
Solution: Risk = Likelihood × Consequence.

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Q2. The term “WRAC” stands for:
A. Work Risk Area Chart
B. Workplace Risk Assessment and Control
C. Worker Risk Audit Committee
D. Work Reliability Analysis Chart
E. None
Answer: B.
Solution: DGMS standard format for risk assessment.

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Q3. DGMS Tech (SOMA) Circular 03/2019 relates to:
A. Mine Ventilation
B. Safety Management Plans
C. Slope Stability
D. Explosives Handling
E. None
Answer: B.
Solution: Circular deals with SMP and WRAC.

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Q4. In risk matrix, “E” stands for:
A. Efficient Risk
B. Extreme Risk
C. Emergency Risk
D. Expected Risk
E. None
Answer: B.
Solution: “E” = Extreme, highest risk category.

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Q5. A 5×5 Risk Matrix has how many cells?
A. 10
B. 15
C. 20
D. 25
E. None
Answer: D.
Solution: 5×5 grid = 25 risk levels.

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Q6. The first step in risk management is:
A. Risk control
B. Hazard identification
C. Reporting
D. Monitoring
E. None
Answer: B.
Solution: Always identify hazard first.

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Q7. Risk = ?
A. Consequence × Cost
B. Likelihood × Consequence
C. Frequency × Time
D. None
Answer: B.
Solution: Basic formula for risk.

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Q8. Which regulation under CMR 2017 covers risk management?
A. Reg. 104
B. Reg. 106
C. Reg. 110
D. Reg. 120
E. None
Answer: B.
Solution: Reg. 106 covers SMP & risk assessment.

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Q9. The highest priority risk is:
A. Low
B. Medium
C. High
D. Extreme
E. None
Answer: D.
Solution: Extreme risk = immediate action.

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Q10. What does “Hierarchy of Control” start with?
A. PPE
B. Elimination
C. Substitution
D. Engineering
E. None
Answer: B.
Solution: Top level control is elimination.

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Q11. DGMS requires SMP to include:
A. Risk Matrix
B. Ventilation Plan
C. Survey Map
D. None
Answer: A.
Solution: SMP must include WRAC matrix.

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Q12. A risk with low likelihood but catastrophic consequence is:
A. Low
B. Medium
C. High
D. Extreme
E. None
Answer: D.
Solution: Even low chance + high severity = extreme.

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Q13. “Consequence” measures:
A. Frequency
B. Severity
C. Duration
D. Cost
E. None
Answer: B.
Solution: Measures level of impact.

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Q14. “Likelihood” measures:
A. Duration
B. Frequency
C. Impact
D. Severity
E. None
Answer: B.
Solution: Probability of occurrence.

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Q15. WRAC forms part of:
A. Production plan
B. Safety Management Plan
C. Ventilation plan
D. None
Answer: B.
Solution: Integrated within SMP.

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Q16. Color for “Extreme Risk” in matrix is:
A. Green
B. Yellow
C. Orange
D. Red
E. None
Answer: D.
Solution: Red = extreme danger.

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Q17. Color for “Low Risk” is:
A. Red
B. Yellow
C. Green
D. Blue
E. None
Answer: C.
Solution: Green = safe or acceptable level.

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Q18. Which control is least effective?
A. PPE
B. Elimination
C. Engineering
D. Substitution
E. None
Answer: A.
Solution: PPE is last in hierarchy.

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Q19. DGMS requires risk assessment to be:
A. Annual
B. Continuous & reviewed periodically
C. Only before accidents
D. None
Answer: B.
Solution: Must be ongoing process.

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Q20. Example of engineering control:
A. Fire extinguisher
B. Guard rail
C. Training
D. PPE
E. None
Answer: B.
Solution: Physical safety measure.

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Q21. Risk assessment must be documented and:
A. Signed by Manager
B. Approved by DGMS
C. Both
D. None
Answer: C.
Solution: Must be verified and approved.

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Q22. Consequence value 5 indicates:
A. Minor injury
B. First aid only
C. Fatality or major accident
D. None
Answer: C.
Solution: Maximum severity level.

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Q23. Likelihood rating “5” means:
A. Rare
B. Possible
C. Almost certain
D. None
Answer: C.
Solution: Happens frequently.

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Q24. In WRAC form, who leads assessment?
A. Safety Officer
B. Manager
C. Shift Supervisor
D. Any one trained
E. None
Answer: B.
Solution: Manager ensures correct assessment.

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Q25. Main aim of Risk Matrix is:
A. Eliminate all hazards
B. Prioritize risk control
C. Increase production
D. None
Answer: B.
Solution: Helps in ranking and managing risks.

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