Standards of Illumination in Opencast Metalliferous Mines

0&I I I jl0 1 7 All Owners, Agents and Managers of Metalliferous Mines Subject: Standards of illumination in opencast metalliferous mines Sir, In pursuance of Regulation 148(2) of Metalliferous Mines Regulations, 1961, the standards of illumination to be provided during working hours at different places or areas where natural light is insufficient in opencast metalliferous mines have been specified vide Government notification no. GSR-618(E), dated 28th April, 2017, published in the Gazette of India dated 21st June, 2017, Part II Section 3(i).

The said Notification is reproduced below for guidance and strict compliance in ail opencast metalliferous mines.

" Notification Dhanbad, the 28th April, 2017 G.S.R. No. 618(E).-— In exercise of the powers conferred on me as Chief Inspector of Mines, under clause (b) of sub-regulation (2) of Regulation 148 of the Metalliferous Mines Regulations, 1961, I, in supersession of Notification No. GSR-829, dated 18Eh June 1975, published in the Gazette of India Part II, Section 3{i) on 5th July 1975, hereby specify that the standards of lighting to be provided during working hours at different places or areas, where natural light is insufficient in opencast metalliferous mines shall be in the manner as specified in the following table and in conformity with the general guidelines for illumination mentioned thereunder;

STANDARDS OF ILLUMINATION IN OPENCAST METALLIFEROUS MINES FRcT THcfjR Government of India m ^ TfcFTTT W cFT Ministry of Labour & Employment TIFT >pST FblfT^TIcHif Directorate General of Mines Safety No. DGMS (Legis.) Circular No. o3 of 2017 Dhanbad, dated To Abbreviations-V; Vertical; H; Horizontal Serial No.

Place/Area to be illuminated Minimum standards of illumination to be provided (in lux)

Work place of Heavy Machinery 15 H, 25 V (so as to cover depth and height through which the machine operates.)

^ T Drilling operations (i)Area where drilling rig works 25 V (so as to illuminate full height of the drilling rig)

(ii)Area where drill holes exists 15 H Places where manual work is done 15 H, 25 V Places where loading, unloading or transfer, loading of dumpers, trucks or train is carried on (including OB Dump and Mineral/Ore Stack Yard)

15 H, 15 V Operators cabins of machines or mechanisms 50 H at all places of operation Haul roads for Trucks and Dumpers 10 H Rail haulage track in the pit 10 H Roadways and footpaths from bench to bench 10 H Permanent paths for use of persons employed etc.

10 H In-pit Crusher/Feeder Breaker 40 H Hand Picking Points 50 H Conveyors

(a) Transfer points and drive/tail end area 40 H

(b) Along conveyor 20 H Mineral/Ore Handling Plant

(a) Places of crushing, screening, segregation and loading/unloading 40 H

(b) Operation points 50 H

(c) Other places (in general)

20 H Pumping Station 40 H

(i) Electrical Sub-station 100 H, 50 V

(ii) Other places of operation of electrical apparatus/equipment 20 H, 20 V First Aid station 50 H Rest shelter 30 H Workshop 100 H, 50 V Parking Yard 50 H Genera! working areas as determined by the Manager in writing 10 H at the level of surface to be illuminated Guidelines for mine illumination:

1.

The mine lighting should be designed and installed with proper lamps and fixtures in regard to height, orientation, spacing and reflectors or other accessories, so as to secure a uniform distribution of light on the work area for visual comfort and avoiding objectionable shadows, sharp contrasts of intensity, glare, light clutter (excessive groupings of light) and light pollution to prevent strain on the eyes of the workmen, work fatigue and medically defined stress.

2.

Portable lighting shall be provided at places, where the permanent/fixed lighting is not possible.

3.

At strategic locations like electric substation, and any other places as determined by the Manager, emergency lighting arrangement by separate source shall also be provided.

4.

in case of haul roads, orientation of light fittings should be kept so adjusted as to have emittance of light across the road and not along the road. Where the width of haul roads is more, the lighting arrangements shall be provided either by rows of lights erected on both sides of the road or by a centrally erected row over the divider, so as to maintain illumination as per standard.

5.

Lighting arrangement at working places of heavy machineries, dump/stack yard and other ioading/unloading areas shall be such that the formation of dark zone is avoided.

6.

Considering high mobility of hydraulic excavators, the faces/benches worked by such machineries shall, as far as practicable, be illuminated by light source of matching mobility so as to avoid chances of lag for want of shifting.

7.

Dump/stack yards shall be illuminated by suitable numbers of high mast towers/light source. It shall also be ensured that adequate light reaches up to edges of the active dump.

8.

For better implementation of these standards, the manager of every mine shall formulate a detailed written “illumination Scheme'1, which may include an “Illumination Plan” and duties and responsibilities of Key officials for the purpose.

9.

In respect of any particular place or operation in a mine, where due to existence of some special conditions the manager is of the opinion that compliance as per stipulated minimum standard is not reasonably practicable, he may provide illumination in variance thereof, if he has indicated the modified minimum illumination to be provided for such place or operation, as the case may be, in the “Illumination Scheme” with proper justification for the same and submitted a copy thereof to the Regional Inspector.

A S

10. illumination Survey:

(i)

The manager of every mine shall arrange to conduct Lighting Survey once at least in every month to ensure adequacy of illumination.

(ii)

While making such survey, the measurement of lighting shall also be taken at the point farthest from the source of light lying within the limit of the work place or in haul road or travelling or haulage roadway, as the case may be.

(iii) A record of every such survey shall be maintained and signed by the competent person making the survey and countersigned and dated by the manager.

11. Illumination Plan:

(i)

The manager of every mine shall ensure that an Illumination Plan, indicating the location of places, type of illuminating devices, fixtures, lamps, supports, any other devices for illumination and showing required as well as measured value of light at various places to be illuminated, is maintained. Where any area of the mine is not in use or not needed to be lighted, the same shall be clearly marked and demarcated on the plan with reasons to be recorded. The plan shall be kept signed and dated by the surveyor and the official authorized for maintaining the Sighting standard and countersigned and dated by the manager.

(ii)

The Illumination Plan shall be brought up to date in every month based on the monthly illumination survey and considering the current status of workings.

(File No Z-20041 /02/2017/S&T(HQ)]

Prasanta Kumar Sarkar, Chief Inspector of Mines '' This Circular supersedes all the earlier Issued Circulars on Standards of illumination in opencast metalliferous mines.

( \ \sj } Sarkar)

(Prasang Directop^eneral of Mines Safety