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Tuesday, Nov 27, 2007
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Protect workers: Oscar Fernandes

Special Correspondent

Calls for mining companies to give thrust to safety budget

NEW DELHI: Minister of State for Labour & Employment Oscar Fernandes on Monday said that safety was not merely a concept or practice but it also recognised the dignity of work and, therefore, all efforts should be made for protection and safety of workers.

Inaugurating the 10th national conference on ‘Safety in Mines’ here in the presence of Minister of State for Mines T. Subbarami Reddy, and Minister of State for Planning M.V. Rajasekharan, Mr. Fernandes said that to work towards the objective of achieving ‘Zero accident potential’, serious introspection and analysis was needed for making an impact.

He said there was a need for resources — for research, subsequent development of new processes, equipment and work method and above all, for training and establishment of a suitable reward system. These actions, he said, must accompany the development and implementation of legislation.

The two-day conference has been organised by the Directorate-General of Mines Safety (DGMS), Dhanbad, an apex body of the Ministry of Labour and Employment.

Mr. Fernandes said the various techniques of risk assessment and risk management contributed greatly towards improving safety during mining operations.

Therefore, these techniques, though in vogue in a piecemeal manner as of now, should be given the due impetus and dynamism that it deserved so as to realise its full potential. He said that investment in safety had a direct bearing on the overall performance of the mining company and mining companies should put adequate thrust on the safety budget to reduce accidents.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Subbarami Reddy said that mining was very important for the growth of the economy and, therefore, all efforts should be made to make mining totally safe for workers.

For this, he said, modern technology should be brought in and “we should also learn from countries like South Africa, Australia and Canada in this regard.” In his address, Mr. Rajasekharan also advocated adequate investment in safety measures and urged the private sector to be more forthcoming. The progress achieved would be meaningless if adequate security was not provided to the workers.

The conference, according to an official release, is to deliberate upon and give recommendations on the following specific issues: (i) Contract workers in mines — problems and issues vis-a-vis safety, health and welfare (ii) Safety issues in unorganised mining sector (iii) Occupational health surveillance and notified diseases (iv) Mechanisation with a view to phasing out manual loading and to improve safety standards (v) Reduction of risks from roof and side fall in Indian coal mines (vi) Below ground communication and tracking system (vii) Safety issues in oil mines (viii) Safety management systems: Strategies for implementation and path forward and (ix) Implementation of ILO Convention 176 in mines.

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