I – SAFETY CONFERENCE

One of the few major disasters in the history of the Indian coal mining occurred in the shape of an explosion in Chinakuri Colliery in February- 1958, resulting in 175 deaths. As a result of the Chinakuri disaster, the Government of India convened the First Conference of Safety in Mines in 1958-59. The first conference on safety in mines had recommended that two general inspections of mines should take place every year, special inspections should be made with reference to a particular object in view, i.e. general supervision, ventilation, coal dust, support in depillaring areas etc., mines where conditions are unsatisfactory should be placed under frequent inspections until the mine has been brought to a certain standard, a number of surprise inspections should be made in the afternoon and night shifts.

[The National Conferences on Safety in mines discuss the emerging safety issues in mines to identify the thrust areas for improvement in the safety standards in Indian mines and are attended by different stakeholders from mining industry of the country. The conferences review the status of safety in mining and adequacy of existing measures in improving working conditions in mines in a spirit of mutual cooperation.

This National Conference is the highest tripartite forum at the national level for deliberation on issues connected with safety and health in mines. CEOs of the mining companies as employers' representatives, the leaders of the Central Trade Unions as workers' representatives, representatives of the Central and State Governments, professional institutions, academic and research institutes and members of Parliamentary Standing Committee of the Ministry of Labour and Employment participate as delegates in the conference.]