Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Hyderabad B.Tech IV MINE HEALTH AND SAFETY ENGINEERING Previous Question Paper (July - 2021 - R15)

Accidents in mining operations are generally classified based on the severity of injury, the nature of the occurrence, and the location of the incident. The main types include:

• Fatal Accidents: Incidents resulting in the death of one or more persons.
• Serious Reportable Accidents: Accidents involving permanent loss of sight or hearing, fracture of any bone, or any injury that causes the permanent loss or injury to any limb or part of the body, or results in enforced absence from work for 72 hours or more.
• Minor Accidents: Injuries that do not result in permanent disability or death but require medical treatment and cause absence from work for less than 72 hours.
• Dangerous Occurrences: Incidents that do not necessarily cause injury but have the potential to cause harm, such as spontaneous heating, outbursts of gas, premature collapse of workings, or fires, which must be reported regardless of injury.

Under the Mines Act, 1952, the purview of reportable accidents covers incidents occurring in, on, or about a mine that result in bodily injury or loss of life. Specifically, the following fall under the statutory reporting requirements:

• Fatal Injuries: Any accident resulting in the death of a person employed in the mine.
• Serious Bodily Injury: Any injury which involves, or in all probability will involve, the permanent loss of any part or use of any part of the body, or the permanent loss of or injury to the sight or hearing, or the fracture of any bone or one or more joints or bones of any phalanges of hand or foot.
• Disabling Injury: Any injury that results in the enforced absence of the injured person from work for a period of 72 hours or more.
• Dangerous Occurrences: As specified under the Mines Rules, certain incidents must be reported even if no injury occurs. These include:
• Ignition of gas or dust.
• Spontaneous heating or outbreaks of fire.
• Premature collapse of any part of the workings.
• Inrush of water or other liquid matter.
• Breakage of winding ropes, chains, or other gear used for hoisting.
• Explosion or failure of any machinery or equipment that could have endangered life.