Coal cos asked to introduce Zero Harm concept

NEW DELHI: Concerned over increasing accidents in the state-run and Tata Steel's coalamines, the government on Wednesday asked them to immediately replace outdated machinery and introduce the concept of Zero Harm in their mines.

Addressing the meeting of the standing committee on safety in coal mines, minister of state for coal Dasari Narayana Rao said introduction of mechanised equipments would reduce accidents and increase productivity of the mines.

Safety statistics reveal that the number of fatalities in CIL, SCCL, NLC and Tata Steel have increased in 2006 compared to 2005. This trend conveys that we need to be more analytical in understanding the root cause of such accidents and addressing the same, he said.

Expressing concern on increasing accidents in the Open Cast Mines (OCM) due to dumper movements Rao asked the coal companies to expressly introduce the concept of Zero Harm in their mines by applying good safety system.

"Operating managers have to clearly understand the precious value of lives of work persons deployed in the mines. Safety issues should not be left only to safety officers of under managers of collieries. It requires involvement at the highest level...," the minister pointed out.

Rao said these companies should follow best practices in the mining industry besides adopting the concept of risk management to minimise accidents.

Addressing the meeting, chairman and managing director Coal India Limited P S Bhattacharya assured that the PSU would make due efforts to replace the outdated machinery by the end of next year.