JAWAHARLAL NEHRU TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY HYDERABAD B. Tech IV Year HEALTH AND SAFETY IN MINES Previous Question Paper (February/March - 2022 - R18)

Accidents in mines are primarily caused by unsafe acts and unsafe conditions. Unsafe acts include failure to follow standard operating procedures, lack of training, fatigue, negligence, and inadequate supervision. Unsafe conditions include poor ventilation, structural instability of mine roofs and sides, faulty machinery, presence of hazardous gases, and inadequate lighting. Preventing accidents is essential to protect human life, ensure operational continuity, reduce financial losses due to compensation and legal liabilities, and maintain organizational reputation. Proactive safety measures foster a culture of compliance and improve overall productivity by minimizing downtime.

Safety performance in mining is measured using both lagging and leading indicators to provide a comprehensive view of risk management.

1. Lagging Indicators: These measure past performance based on historical data. Key metrics include the Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR), which calculates the number of injuries resulting in lost time per million man-hours worked, and the Severity Rate, which measures the total days lost due to injuries per million man-hours.
2. Leading Indicators: These are predictive measures used to prevent future incidents. Examples include the number of safety audits conducted, frequency of safety training sessions, number of near-miss reports filed, and the percentage of safety equipment inspections completed on schedule.
3. Safety Audits and Inspections: Regular internal and external audits evaluate compliance with statutory regulations and safety management systems.
4. Risk Assessment Scores: Quantifying the effectiveness of hazard control measures through periodic risk assessment reviews helps identify areas requiring immediate intervention.