National Workshop on Occupational Health Services in Mines: Challenges and Solutions

Udaipur: A national workshop on the topic 'Occupational Health Services in Mines - Current Scenario, Challenges, and the Way Forward' was organized by the Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS) of the North-Western region in Udaipur, under the auspices of the Udaipur Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The Chief Guest, Ujjwal Tah, Director General of Mines Safety, and Guest of Honour, Bhagwati Prasad, Director of the Mines and Geology Department, Rajasthan, were present. The workshop was also graced by R.T. Mandekar, Deputy Director-General of Mines Safety, North-Western region, Arun Mishra, CEO of Hindustan Zinc Ltd., and Mangilal Lunawat, President of the Udaipur Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The workshop was attended by officials from the Directorate General of Mines Safety, representatives from trade unions, doctors and scientists from various occupational health institutions, officials from different departments of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, and representatives from various mining companies.

Experts including Dr. P.K. Sisodia, Expert Consultant, Government of Rajasthan, Dr. R.R. Tiwari, Director, NIREH, Dr. D. Kolekar, Director (Medical), Dr. B.B. Mandal, Associate Professor, IIT Kharagpur, Dr. S.K. Suman, Associate Professor, ESIC Medical College, Dr. Pradeep Kaswan, Associate Professor, Dr. Mihir Rupani, Scientist, NIOH, Dr. S.K. Bhandari, HOD Medical, Messrs JK Laxmi Cement, Dr. Debashish Niyogi, and Dr. Deepak Gautam from Hindustan Zinc Limited, along with Dr. S.K. Chaudhary, CMO Cement Ltd., were among the prominent speakers.

In the inaugural session, Ujjwal Tah, Director General of Mines Safety, stated that it is essential to detect, treat, compensate, and rehabilitate occupational diseases of miners working in unorganized sector mines. He emphasized that a collaborative approach involving institutions like the Directorate of Factories Advice Service & Labour Institute, Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), state government’s Mines and Geology Department, Chief Medical and Health Officer’s office, National Institute of Occupational Health, and various trade unions is needed to formulate an effective policy for the unorganized mining sector. This workshop would provide necessary guidance in this regard.

Bhagwati Prasad, IAS, Director of Mines and Geology, emphasized the significant role of the mining sector in the country’s infrastructure, energy, and industrial development. He specifically highlighted Rajasthan's vital contribution to the nation's mineral wealth. Bhagwati Prasad also pointed out the risks associated with mining and stressed the importance of prioritizing the occupational health and safety of miners. He reiterated the need to ensure the welfare of those working in this crucial sector and called the workshop an important step toward ensuring the welfare of miners in Rajasthan.

The workshop also saw participation from Dr. H.L. Tabiya, CMHO Banswara, Dr. Shankar Bamaniya, CMHO Udaipur, A.K. Nandwana, Mines and Geology Department Udaipur, D.P. Gaur, TA Mines and Geology Department, Dr. Narendra Yadav, Deputy CMHO Rajsamand, and special guests such as Kalyan Singh Shekhawat, Chief Secretary Hindustan Zinc Workers Federation. 

Experts from various renowned institutions, including the Directorate General of Mines Safety, Directorate of Factories Advice Service & Labour Institute, Employees State Insurance Corporation, National Environmental Health Research Institute, National Institute of Occupational Health, Indian Institutes of Technology, and distinguished doctors from mining companies, shared their views on the relevant topics during the workshop.

The workshop was coordinated by Dr. Kaushik Sarkar, Mines Inspector (Occupational Health), Directorate General of Mines Safety. The workshop received significant contributions from 191 senior officials and doctors from various mining companies and Mine Owners Associations across the country. Based on the presentations and discussions, consensus was reached to formulate an action plan that will be implemented at the national level to improve the occupational health of workers in the mining sector.