Safety in Mines – Role of Supervisors & Officials

                    🦺 Safety in Mines – Role of Supervisors & Officials                                                  🏗️ Introduction

Supervision plays a vital role in mine safety.Every mining accident analysis by DGMS has shown   that lack of supervision and communication are leading causes of unsafe acts and conditions. Under the Mines Act, 1952, CMR 2017, and MMR 1961, supervisors, overmen, sirdars, and officials are legally bound to ensure safety compliance and prevent hazardous practices. This article summarizes the roles, duties, DGMS expectations, and common exam questions for DGMS candidates appearing in First Class and Second Class Manager’s Certificates (Coal & Metal).

👷‍♂️ 1. Role of Supervisors in Mine Safety

1. Daily Inspection:
   Supervisors must inspect their section before the commencement of every shift.
   ➤ Reference: CMR 2017 – Regulation 126 (for Coal) and MMR 1961 – Regulation 104 (for Metal).
2. Detection of Unsafe Conditions:
   Identify roof cracks, gas accumulation, loose sides, faulty supports, or unsafe equipment.
3. Ensuring PPE Compliance:
   Supervisors must ensure all workers wear helmets, shoes, gloves, and cap lamps.
4. Training & Communication:
   Brief workers on daily hazards and safe work procedures.
5. Reporting Duties:
   Report unsafe conditions immediately to the manager or agent and suspend work in danger zones.
6. Accident Prevention:
   Ensure safe haulage, proper ventilation, and adherence to DGMS circulars.
7. Gas Testing:
   In gassy mines, supervisors (certified gas testers) must test methane percentage before allowing entry.
8. Emergency Management:
   Must guide workers during fire, inundation, or roof fall.
9. Record Keeping:
   Maintain statutory logbooks of inspections, accidents, and maintenance.
10. Leadership in Safety:
    Supervisors must set an example by following safety rules strictly.

🧰 2. Responsibilities of Officials (Manager, Agent, Engineer, Overman, Sirdar)

Position	Key Safety Responsibilities
Manager	Overall charge of safety, compliance with Acts & Regulations, submission of reports to DGMS.
Agent	Ensure safety policy implementation, resources, and qualified manpower.
Engineer (Electrical/Mechanical)	Maintenance of machinery, electrical safety, and fire prevention.
Overman	Responsible for one or more districts; daily inspection and supervision.
Sirdar	Supervise face workers, check roof supports, ventilation, and gas.
Surveyor	Mark danger zones and maintain accurate plans to prevent accidental connection with old workings.

📚 3. DGMS Guidelines & Legal Provisions

• CMR 2017 Reg. 125–132: Supervision, duties of officials, inspections, and reporting.
• MMR 1961 Reg. 103–109: Competent supervision and reporting responsibilities.
• Mines Act, 1952 (Sec. 17–19): Appointment and duties of manager, agent, and officials.
• DGMS Circular 08 of 2019: Emphasizes supervision, risk control, and communication hierarchy.

⚡ 4. Quick One-Liners for Exam Revision

• Reg. 126 (CMR) → Daily inspection by overman/sirdar.
• Supervisor must suspend work if danger is detected.
• PPE enforcement is a supervisory responsibility.
• DGMS can prosecute supervisors for negligence.
• Sirdar = immediate supervisor in underground districts.
• Overman = supervises several sirdars.
• Manager = legally responsible for the entire mine.
• Reports to DGMS must be submitted in prescribed forms.
• Training and communication are safety culture essentials.
• Mine supervision = first line of defense against accidents.

🖊️ Descriptive Model Answer 

  Q: Describe the role of supervisors and officials in ensuring safety in mines as per  DGMS   guidelines.

  Answer:

Supervisors are responsible for ensuring safe working conditions, inspecting workplaces, identifying hazards, and enforcing PPE usage.
They must report dangers, stop unsafe work, and communicate hazards to higher officials.
Managers and agents are accountable for implementing safety policies, training programs, and ensuring compliance with DGMS laws and circulars.
In coal mines, Regulation 126 (CMR 2017) mandates daily inspection of each district before the shift. Conclusion:
Effective supervision, combined with training and communication, forms the backbone of mine safety and minimizes accidents. 🎯 25 MCQs – Safety in Mines (Supervisors & Officials) 

Q1. Under which Act are supervisors and officials appointed in mines?

A. Mines Rules 1955
B. Mines Act 1952
C. CMR 2017
D. MMR 1961
E. DGMS Circular
Answer: B.

Q2. Regulation 126 of CMR 2017 deals with:
A. Gas testing
B. Daily inspection by supervisors
C. Accident reporting
D. Manager’s duties
E. Fire precautions
Answer: B.

Q3. The overman supervises:
A. Entire mine
B. One or more districts
C. One worker
D. Electrical section only
E. None
Answer: B.

Q4. The immediate supervisor at a coal face is:
A. Overman
B. Sirdar
C. Manager
D. Agent
E. Surveyor
Answer: B.

Q5. The legal responsibility for mine safety lies with:
A. DGMS
B. Owner
C. Manager
D. Overman
E. Sirdar
Answer: C.

Q6. If unsafe conditions are detected, a supervisor should:
A. Ignore it
B. Wait for manager’s instruction
C. Stop work immediately
D. Inform DGMS directly
E. Take photographs only
Answer: C.

Q7. Supervisors must maintain inspection records in:
A. Oral reports
B. Loose sheets
C. Prescribed logbook
D. Notebook
E. None
Answer: C.

Q8. Overman certificate is issued under:
A. MMR 1961
B. Mines Rules 1955
C. Mines Act 1952
D. DGMS Examination Board
E. Coal Mines Regulations 2017
Answer: D.

Q9. Main role of sirdar is to:
A. Maintain machinery
B. Supervise underground districts
C. Conduct ventilation survey
D. Handle finances
E. None
Answer: B.

Q10. DGMS Circular 08 of 2019 relates to:
A. Rescue
B. Supervision and risk control
C. Explosives
D. Environmental plan
E. Ventilation
Answer: B.

Q11. The manager reports to:
A. DGMS
B. Overman
C. Agent
D. Sirdar
E. Surveyor
Answer: C.

Q12. The inspection frequency of each district is:
A. Weekly
B. Before every shift
C. Monthly
D. Yearly
E. Random
Answer: B.

Q13. Reporting unsafe conditions is the duty of:
A. Workers only
B. Supervisors
C. DGMS
D. Owner
E. None
Answer: B.

Q14. Daily inspection notes must be signed by:
A. DGMS
B. Worker
C. Manager
D. Supervisor
E. Engineer
Answer: D.

Q15. PPE enforcement is the duty of:
A. DGMS
B. Supervisor
C. Worker
D. Agent
E. None
Answer: B.

Q16. Manager’s statutory duties are defined in:
A. MMR 1961 Reg. 103
B. CMR 2017 Reg. 125
C. Mines Act 1952
D. All of the above
E. None
Answer: D.

Q17. If a serious danger exists, work must be:
A. Continued
B. Stopped and reported
C. Ignored
D. Postponed
E. None
Answer: B.

Q18. Which official is responsible for marking danger zones?
A. Surveyor
B. Manager
C. Overman
D. Engineer
E. Agent
Answer: A.

Q19. Who maintains plans and sections?
A. Overman
B. Manager
C. Surveyor
D. Sirdar
E. Electrician
Answer: C.

Q20. DGMS requires supervisors to ensure:
A. Production only
B. Cost reduction
C. Safety compliance
D. Record-keeping only
E. None
Answer: C.

Q21. Sirdars are responsible for:
A. Supervision of electricals
B. Safe working of miners
C. Budgeting
D. Fuel management
E. None
Answer: B.Q22. Which Act holds the manager criminally liable for negligence?
A. Mines Act 1952
B. CMR 2017
C. IPC
D. DGMS Bye-laws
E. All
Answer: A.

Q23. The number of sirdars under one overman is decided by:
A. DGMS approval
B. Manager
C. Agent
D. Owner
E. None
Answer: B.

Q24. Supervisor’s duties fall under which regulation in MMR 1961?
A. Reg. 103–109
B. Reg. 120
C. Reg. 160
D. Reg. 80
E. None
Answer: A.

Q25. The first line of defense against accidents is:
A. Workers
B. Supervisors
C. DGMS
D. Engineers
E. Owner
Answer: B.

                                            ✅ Conclusion

 Supervisors and officials are the pillars of mine safety.

Their vigilance, inspections, and strict enforcement of rules directly prevent accidents and save lives.
DGMS emphasizes continuous training, communication, and proactive supervision — the true hallmark of a competent mining official. 📢 Master DGMS Safety & Supervision Topics with OnlineMiningExam!
Access 50+ live classes, 1000+ MCQs, and detailed chapter notes designed for First & Second Class DGMS exams (Coal & Metal).
🌐 Visit: www.onlineminingexam.com
📞 Call/WhatsApp: 9971114020