President of India Presents National Safety Awards (Mines)

The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee presented the National Safety Awards (Mines) for the Years 2011 and 2012 at a function organized by Ministry of Labour & Employment today (March 20, 2015) in Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi.

Speaking on the occasion, the President said that in the sphere of safety, a multi-pronged strategy - comprising legislation; self-regulation; worker participation in safety management; and introduction of safety management systems based on risk assessment of workplace - has resulted in a steady decline in fatality rates. Yet, there are emerging challenges to face. With expanding scale of mining operations, intensification of mechanization and extension of mining activities to adverse geo-mining conditions, the management of occupational health and safety (OHS) issues are likely to become more complex. OHS challenges have to be dealt at both the mine level as well as business level. Mitigating these challenges call for enhanced application of information technology solutions. Introduction of state-of-the-art technology in mining activity can lead to improvement in safety, besides productivity and financial gains. Another important factor that can elevate safety standards and prevent accidents is training of the mining workforce.

The President said that Government initiatives to augment mineral production ought to have a large skilled manpower which calls for modern training facilities. Concerns about worker safety should engage attention at the highest corporate level. He expressed hope that the National Safety Awards (Mines) would continue to be the catalyst in enhancing occupational health and safety standards among our mine workers.

This release issued at 1840 hrs.