Oscar Fernandes to open 10th National Conference on Safety in Mines

Union Labour Minister Oscar Fernandes will inaugurate the 10th National Conference on Safety in Mines here today.

New Delhi, Nov 26 : Union Labour Minister Oscar Fernandes will inaugurate the 10th National Conference on Safety in Mines here today.

The two-day conference is being organised by the Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS), Dhanbad, an apex body of the Ministry of Labour and Employment.

The emerging safety issues in mines will be dwelt upon by different stakeholders of the country to identify the thrust areas for improvement in the safety standards in Indian mines.

The conference will review the status of safety in mining and adequacy of existing measures in improving working conditions in mines in a spirit of mutual cooperation.

In this changing perspective, important issues like safety of contractor's workers in mines, mechanization in underground coal mines to reduce exposure of manual workers in hazardous areas, measures to reduce accidents due to roof and side fall, occupational health surveillance, implication of ratification of ILO Convention 176, safety issues in oil mines and introduction of safety management system in mines are going to be deliberated.

It is expected that after detailed deliberations, the conference will come out with important recommendations suggesting measures for further improvement in safety, welfare and health of mine workers of the country.

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 will participate as delegates in the conference.

Sudha Pillai, Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment alongwith other senior officials from the Ministry and M.M. Sharma, Director-General of Mines Safety will also be present during the inaugural session of the conference.

ANI