SAFETY MEASURES EN THE USE OF DUMPERS/TRUCK EN THE OPENCAST MINES

摘要

Opencast mining activities including production and productivity in both the coal and metalliferous sectors in India has been progressing steadily during the last few decades. Both production of coal and mineral including the productivity of most of the opencast mines has gone up several times. Such a quantum jump is possible due to the full mechanisation of most of the opencast mines particularly in the organised sectors. But unfortunately this high opencast mining activities has been associated with increased number of accidents in the surface mines. However major share of accidents are due to the heavy earth moving machineries. Statistically it has been seen that around 50percent to 65percent accidents are caused by the operation of dumpers, trucks and other wheel mounted trackless vehicles only. This paper highlighted in details the main reasons of occurrence of accidents due to dumpers/trucks and their remedial measures. This paper also discussed in details regarding the safety items to be incorporated in the dumpers/trucks, and kin the haulage roadways, duties and responsibilities of dumper/truck drivers including some special checks he has to make before driving his vehicle. If a part of the remedial measures and suggestions as proposed can be implemented in the opencast mines has to definitely improve. The management of opencast mines has to prepare themselves right from now to meet the challenges of safety due to mass scale uses of dumpers/trucks.