Page 10 - RMAI Bulletin July - September 2021
P. 10

RMAI BULLETIN JULY TO SEPTEMBER 2021


                 though there are safety measures in place, we still come across cases  technology the risks and hazards
                 relating to coal dust.                                       can be mitigated and with proper
             Y   Cave-Ins, Collapses: Sometimes, mining can be catastrophe. The roofs  protocol in place we can see drop
                 or the surface of the mine can collapse due to extreme pressure  in the fatality rates in the mining
                 which can strike miners working or can make the rocks and debris  industry.
                 unstable.
                                                                              Management of Risks
             Y   Electrical Hazards: Many equipment that are used in the mining
                 process works on electricity and are interconnected. Any shock or fire and Hazards:
                 can result in tremendous amount of loss to the corporation.  The mining industry possess
                 Sometimes, the mineral extracted can also conduct electricity which  different safety challenges on the
                 would pose additional risk in the sector.                    field of security. Mine safety is
             Y   Noise: Loud equipment that are used near the mines in a confined  achieved  through  properly
                 places can cause serious damage to hearing capacity or even  analysing the tools and techniques
                 permanent loss of hearing. Machines like roof bolters, bulldozers,  in the field of security, using risk
                 front end loaders etc.                                       matrix and knowledge of the
                                                                              particular area. Safety is an
             Y   Gases and Vapours: Common names and health effects of gases
                                                                              essential part of any industry,
                 occurring in coal mines are listed in the table below:
                                                                              particularly in the hazardous
                                                                              environment with a history of great
              Gas                   Common Name          Health effects
                                                                              potential  to   damage    the
              Methane (CH4)            Fire damp      Flammable, explosive;
                                                                              infrastructure and affect life.
                                                       simple asphyxiation
                                                                              Hence, safety comes hand in hand
              Carbon Monoxide         White damp      Chemical asphyxiation   in these treacherous environment.
              (CO)
              Hydrogen Sulphide       Stink damp        Eye, Nose, Throat     As the mining goes deep and wide,
              (H2S)                                     irritation; Acute     the companies become larger in
                                                      respiratory depression  their operations that include
              Oxygen Deficiency       Black damp            Anoxia            increase in the number of workers,
                                                                              instruments and economic value;
              Blasting by-products    After damp       Respiratory irritants
                                                                              thus the responsibility of providing
              Diesel engine exhaust   After damp       Respiratory irritants;  these resources safety becomes
                                                          lung cancer         primary for the company. This

             Table 1: Gases and Its Health Effects                            challenge has to be met with
                                                                              proper guidance and safety gears to
             Sometimes, the risk cannot be seen and measured in the terms of lives  ensure the security of life and
             lost or the infrastructural damage. These can come as a shock or after  property during the process.
             effects of mining. For Example- Psychological, Biological, Physical injury
             etc. which develops over time and cannot be easily diagnosed.    For many years now, the
                                                                              Government is also putting stress
             In all India has recorded 377 death in the last 3 years, as per data tabled  on the safety of workers in such
             in the LokSabha in 2019. Also, India is now heading towards sea bed  sectors. It is trying to develop
             mining for extracting seabed minerals and gases.                 better    understanding     of
                                                                              Occupational safety and health
             Nevertheless, mining does not have to be always unsafe. With the  needs of the mining sector to
             introduction of proper management techniques and advancement in  minimize or prevent accidents.

             “You don't have to believe in coincidences because they happen every day. The trick is
             to be able to discern when something is more than coincidence.”
                                                                                                - Glenn Jones


                                                            8
   5   6   7   8   9   10   11   12   13   14   15