THE GOAN NETWORK
PANAJI
The Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS) has stressed the need for a proactive and preventive approach to mine safety in Goa, with greater participation of workers and contractors in identifying and eliminating hazards before they lead to accidents.
The emphasis came at a Tripartite Safety Committee Meeting organised by Fomento Resources Private Limited on Thursday to discuss implementation of the recommendations of the 12th National Conference on Safety in Mines.
The meeting brought together DGMS officials, mine management, workers and contractors’ representatives from the Kalay Mineral Block and Advalpal–Tivim Mineral Block. It was chaired by DGMS Deputy Director General, Western Zone, Nagpur, Bipul Bihari Satiar.
During the meeting, DGMS officials underlined the importance of regular risk assessment, effective supervision, continuous safety training and active participation of workers and contractors in the mine safety management system.
The discussions covered hazard identification and risk assessment, continuous safety monitoring, worker training, use of personal protective equipment, safe transportation and material handling, emergency preparedness, electrical and mechanical safety, supervision and reporting of unsafe conditions and near-misses.
The meeting also provided a platform for workers and contractors to flag operational-level safety challenges. The participants stressed that mine safety was a collective responsibility requiring the involvement of every person associated with mining operations.
Fomento Resources said the recommendations of the 12th National Conference on Safety were being implemented at both mineral blocks and reiterated its commitment to strengthening safety systems, statutory compliance and safety culture at its two mineral blocks- Kalay Mineral block and Advalpal-Tivim Mineral block.
The meeting began with a tribute to miners who lost their lives in the course of their duties, followed by a Safety Oath taken by participants. It concluded with a collective reaffirmation by the regulator, mine management, workers and contractors to maintain high standards of occupational safety and ensure the safety of those working in and around mines.
Rajiv Kumar, nominated owner of the two mineral block delivered the welcome address while mineral block agent Sandeep Morajkar highlighted the implementation of recommendation of mine safety at those mineral blocks.
