Preventive measures against rising mine accidents

of India Ministry of Labour & Employment Directorate General of Mines safety Dhanbad, datedØo/ 03/2026 No. DGMS(Tech) Circular (SOMA)/ To All Mine Owners, Agents and Managers.

Subject: Increasing Trend of Accidents in Coal and Non-Coal Mines — Immediate Preventive Measures and Strengthening of Safety Management System — regarding.

Sir, It has been observed that an increasing trend in mine accidents has occurred during the period from 2022 to 2025. Analysis of accident data from 2022 to 2025 reveals that a majority of accidents are associated with the operation of trackless machinery, deployment of Heavy Earth Moving Machinery (HEMM), ground movement incidents, handling and use of explosives, and fall of persons from height and are as follows:

ii.

v.

vi.

vii.

Total Fatal accidents occurred and number of persons killed (Figure inside the bracket)

in coal and Non-coal mines during the period are 142 (170) & 144 (184) respectively.

Fatal accidents occurred due to trackless machinery in coal and non-coal mines during the period are 32% & 18% respectively.

Fatal accidents occurred due to fall of persons from height in coal and non-coal mines during the period are 20% & 24% respectively.

Fatal accidents occurred due to ground movement incidents in coal and non-coal mines during the period are 15% & 26% respectively.

Fatal accidents occurred due to deployment of Heavy Earth Moving Machinery (HEMM)

in coal and non-coal mines during the period are 17% & 10% respectively.

Fatal accidents occurred due to handling and use of explosives in coal and non-coal mines during the period are 3% & 10% respectively.

Analysis of accidents during the period from 2022 to 2025 reveals that in coal mines, 69% of the total accidents were collectively attributed to trackless machinery, fall of persons from height, and Heavy Earth Moving Machinery (HEMM). Further, in metalliferous mines, 68% of the total accidents were caused by three major factors, namely ground movement, fall of persons from height, and trackless machinery.

The analysis further revealed that:

i. There has been a rising trend in accidents involving contractual workers, highlighting an urgent need to address the issue. The number of contractual workers killed in coal and non-coal mines during the years 2023, 2024, & 2025 were 56% and 45%, 65% and 32%, & 53% and 37%, respectively.

Page : 1/2 ii. Analysis of accidents further revealed that even competent persons and statutory officials were involved in accidents resulting in fatal injuries Investigation in to the above accidents and analysis further revealed that all these accidents were preventable through adherence to and proper implementation of the provisions of the statutes and the Circulars/Guidelines issued by DGMS from time to time in this regard.

Therefore, this office is of the opinion that, the following additional measures shall also be implemented in letter & spirit to prevent occurrence of such accidents in mines.

i. Ensuring specialized training for HEMM and trackless machinery operators, blasting assistants, maintenance personnel, and personnel engaged in work-at-height activities, and maintaining an additional pool of trained persons to substitute for regular employees as required.

ii. Ensuring periodic conduct of refresher and special training programmes, particularly for accident-prone operations, for all work-persons, competent persons, and statutory supervisors.

iii. Ensuring that all contractual personnel receive proper training relevant to their assigned work. The training includes basic job knowledge, safety practices, site- specific hazard awareness, and the correct use of equipment. A system is to be established to assess and periodically evaluate the skills and competency of contractual personnel.

iv. Recording all near-miss incidents and conducting enquiries into such incidents to determine the causes and circumstances leading to their occurrence, implementing appropriate corrective measures, and discussing all near-miss cases in Pit Safety Committee meetings.

v. Strengthening behavior-based safety initiatives at all levels of work-persons and supervisors.

vi. Using only ergonomically designed machines, equipment, and tools that accommodate the specific needs of users and ensure suitability for the intended procedures and operations.

Therefore, identifying thrust areas in every mine based on analysis of past accidents, near- miss incidents, unsafe conditions, and unsafe acts, with special emphasis on high-risk operations such as deployment of HEMM/trackless machinery, ground stability, working at height, blasting operations, electrical safety, and transportation; preparing and implementing a targeted action plan to address the identified thrust areas, including risk assessment, strengthening of supervision, competency enhancement, and strict compliance with statutory provisions, with the objective of preventing accidents and achieving sustainable mining operations, ultimately aiming for Zero Harm.

(Ujjwal Ta )

Director General of Mines Safety Page : 2/2