Provision of Separate Roads for Light Motor Vehicles in Opencast Mines – DGMS Guidelines & Safety Standards

🧾 DETAILED NOTES

1️⃣ Introduction

In mechanized opencast mines, both Heavy Earth Moving Machinery (HEMM) and Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs) operate simultaneously for production and supervision. Due to their large size, limited visibility, and long braking distance, HEMM poses a significant risk to smaller vehicles operating on the same haul roads. To prevent collisions and ensure personnel safety, DGMS mandates provision of separate roads for light vehicles within mine premises wherever practicable.

2️⃣ DGMS Safety Concern

DGMS has recorded several fatal accidents where light vehicles were run over or crushed by large dumpers, dozers, or loaders due to: Shared haul roads, Blind spots, Poor illumination, and Lack of defined traffic rules. Hence, providing dedicated light vehicle roads and strict traffic discipline is a key requirement in mechanized opencast mines.

3️⃣ Legal Framework

Reference	Description
The Mines Act, 1952 – Sec. 23	Ensures safety of all persons in the mine premises.
CMR 2017 – Regulation 175	Transport of persons and materials in opencast workings.
DGMS (Tech.) Circular No. 08/2014	Safe operation of HEMM and traffic management.
DGMS (Tech.) Circular No. 02/2010	Safety provisions for light vehicles in mines.
DGMS Accident Analysis	Highlights incidents caused by mixed vehicle movement.

4️⃣ Objective

The main objective of separate light vehicle roads is to:

Eliminate the risk of collision between HEMM and LMVs.
Provide a safe route for supervisors, officials, and staff movement.
Maintain efficient traffic flow within the mine premises.
Reduce delay in operations caused by road sharing.

5️⃣ DGMS Guidelines for Light Vehicle Roads

As per DGMS circulars and CMR 2017:

Separate roads must be constructed for light motor vehicles (LMVs) wherever feasible.
Common haul roads (where separation isn’t possible) must have: Clearly demarcated lanes for LMVs; Speed limits and signboards; Road barriers or berms separating lanes.
LMV entry to working faces should be restricted only to authorized personnel.
Install convex mirrors at blind turns.
Maintain minimum lateral distance of 10 m between LMV and HEMM routes.
Lighting and reflective signages mandatory for night operation.
Provide turning radius ≥ 15 m for LMV roads.

6️⃣ Design & Construction Requirements

Parameter	Requirement
Road Width (LMV)	Minimum 5–7 m (single lane)
Gradient	Not steeper than 1 in 16
Surface Type	Well-compacted, dust-free, graded
Drainage	Proper side drains and slope
Illumination	Minimum 10 lux at night
Sign Boards	Speed limits, caution & stop signs
Speed Limit	≤ 25 km/h for LMV
Berms/Barriers	Minimum 1 m height on curves and edges

7️⃣ Traffic Management

Prepare a Traffic Management Plan (TMP) approved by the Mine Manager.
Separate entry and exit points for LMVs.
Install CCTV and reflective markings on all intersections.
Display route maps at the mine gate and parking areas.
Conduct mock drills on traffic emergencies.

8️⃣ Case Example

In 2021, a fatal accident occurred in a mechanized opencast coal mine when a pickup van entered a haul road and collided with a 100-ton dumper during reverse movement. The DGMS investigation concluded the absence of a separate LMV road and lack of signage as primary causes. Post-incident, DGMS instructed all mechanized mines to construct segregated light vehicle roads immediately.

⚙️ QUICK ONE-LINERS (Revision Points)

DGMS Circular 08/2014 → Traffic safety for HEMM and LMV.
Separate LMV roads reduce collision risks.
Speed limit for LMV ≤ 25 km/h.
Berms at edges – minimum 1 m high.
Road gradient ≤ 1 in 16.
Convex mirrors at blind turns.
Proper sign boards and illumination required.
LMVs must not use haul roads unless authorized.
DGMS Circular 02/2010 specifies LMV movement.
Safe distance ≥ 10 m from HEMM track.

🧩 DESCRIPTIVE MODEL QUESTION & ANSWER

Q. Discuss the DGMS guidelines for providing separate roads for light motor vehicles in mechanized opencast mines.

Answer:
In mechanized opencast mines, light motor vehicles (LMVs) such as jeeps, pickups, and ambulances must operate on separate roads to prevent accidents with large HEMM. As per DGMS Circular 08/2014 and CMR 2017 Reg. 175, mines must construct exclusive LMV roads wherever feasible. These roads should have speed limits (25 km/h), berms, sign boards, and adequate lighting. Where common roads are used, lanes should be marked and barriers provided. This segregation ensures smooth traffic flow, minimizes collision risk, and fulfills statutory safety obligations.

🧮 25 DGMS-Based MCQs (5 Options Each)

Q1. DGMS Circular on traffic safety and HEMM operation:

Solution: DGMS (Tech.) Circular No. 08/2014 provides comprehensive guidelines for safe operation of HEMM and traffic management.

Q2. Regulation under CMR 2017 for transport safety:

Solution: Regulation 175 of CMR 2017 specifically deals with the transport of persons and materials in opencast workings.

Q3. Purpose of separate road for LMV:

Solution: The primary objective is to segregate slow-moving or small vehicles from large HEMM to eliminate collision risks.

Q4. Maximum LMV speed in mine premises:

Solution: 25 km/h is the generally accepted safe speed limit for light vehicles within the mine's operational area.

Q5. Minimum berm height on LMV road curves:

Solution: A berm or parapet wall of at least 1m height is often specified for edges and curves on LMV roads.

Q6. Road gradient for safe LMV movement:

Solution: Similar to haul roads, a gradient not steeper than 1 in 16 is considered safe for LMV roads.

Q7. Separate roads for LMVs should be:

Solution: To be safe, LMV roads must be properly maintained, graded, compacted, and lit for night use.

Q8. Convex mirrors should be installed at:

Solution: Convex mirrors are specifically used at intersections and blind turns where visibility is restricted.

Q9. LMV entry into working face is allowed:

Solution: The active working face (HEMM operation zone) is highly hazardous, and LMV entry must be strictly controlled and authorized.

Q10. DGMS stands for:

Solution: DGMS is the Directorate General of Mines Safety.

Q11. Separate LMV road width should be:

Solution: A width of 5-7 meters is generally sufficient for single-lane LMV traffic with safe clearance.

Q12. Distance between LMV and HEMM roads:

Solution: A safe lateral separation, often cited as 10m, is required to prevent collisions or flyrock damage.

Q13. LMV stands for:

Solution: LMV is the standard acronym for Light Motor Vehicle (e.g., jeeps, cars, pickups).

Q14. Major cause of LMV-HEMM collision:

Solution: Collisions are often caused by a combination of HEMM blind spots, LMV speeding, and unclear traffic rules or signage.

Q15. Illumination level required on LMV roads:

Solution: 10 lux is a common standard for non-operational areas like access roads and stairways.

Q16. Traffic Management Plan (TMP) is approved by:

Solution: The Mine Manager is statutorily responsible for framing and approving the TMP for the mine.

Q17. Safe road surface type for LMV:

A. Compacted & graded B. Loose gravel C. Slurry D. None

Solution: LMV roads must be well-maintained, compacted, and graded to prevent skidding or loss of control.

Q18. Separate roads ensure:

Solution: Segregation of different vehicle types is a fundamental principle of safe and efficient traffic flow.

Q19. Convex mirrors help in:

Solution: Convex mirrors are installed at blind corners and intersections to help drivers see oncoming traffic.

Q20. Accident analysis shows LMV-HEMM collisions due to:

Solution: The mixing of heavy and light vehicles on the same road (shared haul roads) is the primary hazard.

Q21. Fire drill frequency in mines:

Solution: Mock drills, including fire drills, are typically required to be held at least once every 3 months.

Q22. DGMS Circular 02/2010 relates to:

Solution: This circular specifically addresses safety provisions for light motor vehicles operating in mines.

Q23. Minimum turning radius for LMV roads:

Solution: A minimum turning radius of 15m is a common design standard for LMV roads to ensure safe navigation.

Q24. Traffic signs should be:

Solution: Signage must be clearly visible and reflective to be effective, especially during night or poor weather.

Q25. Primary goal of separate LMV roads:

Solution: The ultimate aim of this safety measure is to prevent accidents and move towards a "Zero Harm" goal.

🔗 INTERNAL LINKS

Related Topic	Read More On...
HEMM Safety	Accidents Due to Dumpers and Tippers
Machinery Safety	Safety Features in Crawler/Tyre Mounted Machinery
Opencast Dumps	Design & Monitoring of Pit/Dump Slopes
Risk Management	DGMS Campaign on "Risk Calculator"

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