The Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS) is the Indian government’s regulatory agency under the Ministry of Labour and Employment, responsible for overseeing occupational health, safety, and welfare in the mining and upstream petroleum industries.
Key Responsibilities:
- Legislation Enforcement: Administers the Mines Act and related regulations to prevent hazards and welfare issues.
- Inspections & Investigations: Conducts mine inspections and investigates accidents, dangerous occurrences, and complaints.
- Approvals & Licensing: Approves safety equipment, materials, and appliances, and issues statutory permits or exemptions for mining projects.
- Examinations & Certification: Conducts examinations to grant competency certificates for various mining roles.
- Safety Promotion: Organizes safety weeks, conferences, and the National Safety Awards to promote awareness.
Core Legislation:
The DGMS primarily enforces and administers:
- The Mines Act
- The Indian Electricity Act (as it pertains to mining operations) link –https://www.dgms.gov.in