Emergency response and evacuation plan for mine disasters

Government of India Ministry of Labour & Employment Directorate General of Mines Safety No. DGMS (Tech.) (DMRS)/Circular No. 04 To, Dhanbad dated 19 / 010/2025 All Owners, Agents, & Mangers of Coal, Metalliferous & Oil Mines Subject: Emergency response and evacuation plan in case of emergency and fire arising out 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 of any disaster and other exigencies affecting life and safety in mines —reg.

In case of emergency arising out of any Disaster & other exigencies affecting mines and employees, it is mandatory to be prepared for dealing with such eventuality and able to save the life of the person employed in the mine and also people residing surrounding the mines. Provision have been made in Regulation 252 of the Coal Mines Regulations, 2017, Regulations 190A of the Metalliferous Mines Regulations, 196& Regulation 102 of Oil Mines Regulation 2017 for the emergency response and evacuation plan in Coal and Metal Mines respectively. However, following are some additional important guidelines/ advisories to combat with such situation: - Rapid Response team (RRT) shall be constituted at mine/area level, Zonal/Regional level in consultation with the concerned Inspector of Mines (Mining), to attend any emergency.

The aforesaid RRT shall be comprising of rescue experts, Fire Expert, Doctors/Occupational Health expert dedicated mine officials, and local authorities/ residents if required at mine /Area level, The 'Rapid Response Team' shall always be on alert mode and the activities shall be coordinated by the respective DDMS/DMS of respective Zones/Regions.

All rescue stations and rescue rooms shall be compulsorily manned by required number of rescue trained persons and adequate number of First Aiders round the clock(24 x 7).

All Hospitals/ Dispensaries/nearby ESIC hospitals shall be geared up to attend emergency with additional stock of emergency medicines and facilities.

All Rescue Stations/Rescue Rooms and First Aid Rooms/First Aid Station shall be alerted and additional facilities for providing First Aid shall be arranged and made available 24 X 7. Adequate numbers of First-Aid Kits shall be made available.

6.0 7.0 8.0 9.0 10.0 11.0 12.0 13.0 14.0 15.0 16.0 Adequate arrangements of fire-fighting equipments / Fire-Tenders and other firefighting materials shall be kept ready.

Fire Fighting and first aid awareness programs shall be organized to educate work persons and for persons residing near by the mines areas.

Storage of explosives shall be kept minimum at Explosives Magazines of mine and adequate arrangements shall be made to deal with emergency like fire/ external threat and evacuation & disposal plan of explosives shall be prepared.

The details of Persons handling explosives shall be displayed on the notice board of the mine and their credentials shall be verified. Only Persons authorised by Mines Manager shall be deployed for handling of Explosives. Strict vigil shall be kept to stop any type of pilferage of explosive.

Feasibility of the use of underground galleries / Inclines / Decline as temporary bunkers may be explored where persons residing nearby area may take shelter in case of exigencies. These identified underground galleries shall be adequately supported, ventilated and illuminated. Arrangements for sitting and potable drinking water shall also be provided and maintained in the underground galleries identified as temporary bunkers.

Properly constructed rest shelters shall be maintained in the mine to take refuge in case of emergency.

Mines located in border areas shall be identified with respect to the possible threats/dangers and shall be included in mock drill and remain constantly vigilant.

All mine owners operating Opencast mines shall have their own Rapid Response Team.

Machineries like excavator, dumper, dozer, grader etc shall be maintained in readiness for engagement in Rescue & Recovery work. Workshops shall also be kept in readiness to support any kind of maintenance work of the HEMM'S during Emergency.

Mock drills for CMP (Crisis Management Plan) and mock drills to withdraw persons and shut down mining activities in case of any emergency shall be done as per pre- established protocol, regularly involving the Rapid Responsive Team and records shall be maintained thereof.

Nothing mentioned above shall prevent the 'Rapid Response Team' to take any other necessary precaution/ action based on the emergent situation to save the life of persons and equipment in the mines and infrastructure.

Hence, planning and preparation as well as implementation of the above guidelines in letter and sprit shall be vital in the interest of persons employed in the mine and residents surrounding the mines.

Yours S rely Dire ral of Mines Safety DGMS, Dhanbad