1298 Legislation in Indian Mines ,
(viii) a rock-burst belowground in metalliferous mines; management shall also forthwith inform the Electrical Inspector of Mines
(ix) a premature collapse of any part of workings;
(x) any accident due to explosives;
(xi) a breakage or fracture of rope, chain, headgear pulley or axle
or bearing thereof, or other gear by which persons are lowered or raised;
(xii) an overwinding of cages or other means of conveyance
while men are being lowered or raised;
(It may be noted here that there is hardly any winding rope which
will not be used for raising or lowering persons. According to the Mines
Act, a notice of accident is to be submitted even when a rope is never used
for man-hoisting purpose;)
(xiii) a breakage or fracture of any essential part of winding engine,
crankshaft coupling, bearing, gearing, clutch, drum or drum shaft; or failure
of emergency brake;
(xiv) a bursting of any equipment containing steam, compressed
air or other substance at bight pressure; or
(xv) a breakage, fracture or failure of any essential part of any
machine or apparatus whereby the safety of persons may be endangered;
the mine management shall forthwith inform the Regional Inspector about
the occurrence by (1) telephone, or (2) express telegram, or (3) special
messenger; and shall also, within 24 hours, of every such occurrence, give
its notice, in Form IV-A, Schedule I, of the respective Regulations, to (1) the
district magistrate, (2) the Chief Inspector, and (3) the Regional Inspector.
In coal mines, in case of an accident causing 'death or serious bodily injury
in connection with mining operations, the notice in Form IV-A shall also he
sent to the Coal Mines Labour Welfare Commissioner.
The mine management shall simultaneously exhibit a copy of the
above notice on a special notice board outside the office of the mine, and
shall ensure that it is kept on the board in a legible condition for not less than
14 days from the date of such exhibition.
If death results from any injury, already reported as serious, or if an
injury, other than the serious injury, becomes serious, the mine manageMent
shall, within 24 hours of its being informed of the same, give its notice to
the authorities to whom the notice in Form IV-A has to be submitted.
When the accident, causing death or serious bodily injury, occurs in
connection with the supply or use of the electrical energy, the mine
Safety, Health, and Sanitation in Mines 1299
by telephone, express telegram, or special messenger.
Under the Indian Electricity Rules, if any accident occurs in connec-
tion with the supply or use of the electrical energy, or the accident results in,
or is likely to have resulted in, loss of human or animal life, or in any injury
to a human being or an animal, the management shall send, to the Electrical
Inspector of the concerned State Government, a telegraphic report within 24
hours of the knowledge of the occurrence of the fatal accident, and a written
report, in the Form set out in Annexure XIII of the Indian Electricity rules,
within 48 hours of the knowledge of the occurrence of fatal and all other
accidents. A copy of the notice may also be sent to the Electrical Inspector
of Mines concerned.
Under the Indian Explosives Act and the Explosives Rules, whenever
there occurs any accident due to explosives, a notice of the accident shall
also be given forthwith to (a) the Chief Controller of Explosives by express
telegram, followed, within 24 hours, by a letter giving particulars of the
accident, (b) the Controller of explosives in whose jurisdiction the accident
has taken place, and (c) the officer-in-charge of the nearest Police Station.
This notice is to be given even if there is no injury to any person or
property, by the licensee, or in his absence, by the person in charge of the
magazine. If an accident occurs in an unlicensed premises, the notice is to
be given by the occupier of the premises.
Pending the arrival of the Chief Controller of Explosives, or his
representative, or until instructions are received from the Chief Controller
of Explosives that he does not wish any further investigation or enquiry to
be made, all wreckage and debris shall be left untouched except in so far as
its removal may be necessary for the rescue of the injured persons, or for the
recovery of the bodies of any persons killed by the accident.
If any accident due to explosives results in loss of life, it is obligatory
that an enquiry is held by the district magistrate. Where there is no loss of
life, the enquiry may be held by the district magistrate or a magistrate
subordinate to him.
In respect of every person, killed or injured, the mine management
shall send, to the Chief Inspector, particulars, in Form IV-B of the First
Schedule of the respective Regulations, within 7 days of the occurrence,
and, in case of metalliferous mines only, in Form TV-C of the First Schedule
of the Metalliferotis Mines Regulations, within 15 days of the injured person
returning to duty.