Q. 1. What is the role of DGMS relating to safety in mines?
A. 1. The mission of DGMS is to reduce the risk of occupational diseases and injury to persons employed in mines.

Q. 2. How does DGMS carry out its mission?
A. 2. In order to fulfil its mission, DGMS performs the following functions: Periodic inspections of mines to keep vigil over the status of safety. Investigations into accidents, dangerous occurrence and complaints. Granting statutory permissions for specific mining operations and laying down precautionary measures while working. Developing Safety Legislation and Standards. Undertaking safety promotional initiatives through safety campaigns, awareness programmes and workers? participation in safety management.

Q. 3. Then, why do accidents take place in mines?
A. 3. Accident causation is a complex process. But generally these are caused due to Unsafe Acts and Unsafe conditions . A combination of factors at the same moment may lead to accident causing injury or persons may escape without any injury.

Q. 4. Should the DGMS not be made to account for the accidents in mines?
A. 4. Working the mines, obtaining mineral and ensuring protection of their Human Resource is primarily the management functions. Management makes necessary provisions for the purpose keeping in view the profitability of operations and statutory provisions in this regard. Just as profits from the operations go to the managements, any consequences in the process including accidents must also be the responsibility of the management.

Q. 5. Why DGMS should also not be held responsible for accidents?
A. 5. As an arm of the Ministry of Labour, the role of DGMS is to act as a watch dog to see that the mine management comply with the statutory provisions relating to occupational safety and health in mines. DGMS officers make periodic inspections to make sample checks. Keeping in mind, the limited resources available by way of inspecting officers and associated infrastructure, it is humanely impossible for them to ensure compliance by management at all times and at all work places.