Monday, March 14, 2011

Health Facilities for Mine Workers

The most common diseases connected with the mining operations are Silicosis, Pneumoconiosis, Manganese Poisoning - Nervous type, Asbestosis, and Cancer of lung or the stomach or the pleura and peritoneum (i.e. Msothelioma).This information has been furnished by Ministry of Labour & Employment (Directorate General of Mines Safety),

On site health facilities for medical examination of persons employed in the mining are provided under Rule 29 B of Mines Rules, 1955. As per the recommendations of 9th and 10th Conference on Safety on Mines, health facilities are also extended to the persons engaged in mining activities. As per Mines Rule 43 depending upon the number of persons employed, health facilities as prescribed, in First-aid Centre are to be provided by the miner. As per Mines Rule 44, the health facilities are mandated for different type of mines such as above ground, opencast and below ground.

Section 25 of Mines Act, 1952 requires that the mine Owner, Agent or Manager to report the diseases of the persons employed in the mining. The violations of the above provision are liable to be punished under Section 66 of the Mines Act, 1952 with fine which may extend up to 1000/- Rupees. Total number of violations detected in occupational health in last one year is 310 in the Central Zone and 220 in the Eastern Zone and details are placed at Annexure

This information was given by the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Mines, Shri Dinsha Patel in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today

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