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    Praful Rathi
    The President of India gave a speech at the presentation ceremony for the National Safety Awards (Mines) for 2011 and 2012. He congratulated the award winners for their outstanding performance in improving mine safety standards. He noted that while mining production has increased, meeting growing demand sometimes comes at the cost of safety investments. A culture of prevention rather than reaction is needed. Strategies like legislation, worker participation, and safety management systems have improved safety, but challenges remain with the expanding scale of mining operations. Training and new technologies can help raise safety profiles and prevent accidents. Health and safety of workers must be a shared priority for all mining stakeholders.

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    1 Speech PDF

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    Praful Rathi
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    The President of India gave a speech at the presentation ceremony for the National Safety Awards (Mines) for 2011 and 2012. He congratulated the award winners for their outstanding performance in improving mine safety standards. He noted that while mining production has increased, meeting growing demand sometimes comes at the cost of safety investments. A culture of prevention rather than reaction is needed. Strategies like legislation, worker participation, and safety management systems have improved safety, but challenges remain with the expanding scale of mining operations. Training and new technologies can help raise safety profiles and prevent accidents. Health and safety of workers must be a shared priority for all mining stakeholders.

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    The President of India gave a speech at the presentation ceremony for the National Safety Awards (Mines) for 2011 and 2012. He congratulated the award winners for their outstanding performance in improving mine safety standards. He noted that while mining production has increased, meeting growing demand sometimes comes at the cost of safety investments. A culture of prevention rather than reaction is needed. Strategies like legislation, worker participation, and safety management systems have improved safety, but challenges remain with the expanding scale of mining operations. Training and new technologies can help raise safety profiles and prevent accidents. Health and safety of workers must be a shared priority for all mining stakeholders.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    376 views4 pages

    1 Speech PDF

    Uploaded by

    Praful Rathi
    The President of India gave a speech at the presentation ceremony for the National Safety Awards (Mines) for 2011 and 2012. He congratulated the award winners for their outstanding performance in improving mine safety standards. He noted that while mining production has increased, meeting growing demand sometimes comes at the cost of safety investments. A culture of prevention rather than reaction is needed. Strategies like legislation, worker participation, and safety management systems have improved safety, but challenges remain with the expanding scale of mining operations. Training and new technologies can help raise safety profiles and prevent accidents. Health and safety of workers must be a shared priority for all mining stakeholders.

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    of 4

    SPEECH BY THE PRESIDENT OF INDIA, SHRI PRANAB

    MUKHERJEE AT THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF


    THE NATIONAL SAFETY AWARDS (MINES) 2011
    AND 2012
    Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi: March 20, 2015

    ****
    1.

    It gives me great pleasure to be present amidst you to recognize the


    outstanding performance of award winners of the National Safety
    Awards (Mines) for the years 2011 and 2012. These awards were
    instituted in 1983 to promote a competitive spirit amongst mine
    operators to improve safety standards in mines. I would like to
    congratulate all the outstanding performers in the field of mine
    safety who have been awarded today.
    Ladies and Gentlemen:

    2.

    The Indian mining industry has undergone significant change over


    the last few decades. Intensive mechanization and use of new
    technology has driven production to high levels. Despite a subdued
    performance in recent years, coal production was estimated at 492
    million tonne and iron ore at 133 million tonne in 2013-14. The total
    value of production of all minerals, including fuel, metallic and nonmetallic minerals, was estimated at Rs. 2.3 lakh crore for 2013-14.
    Robust output in the mineral sector has contributed to the
    achievement of our growth objectives in no small measure.

    3.

    To meet the growing demand for coal and other minerals, core
    mining operations are increasingly being outsourced to mining
    operators. The business model in this sector requires them to run
    on thin profit margins. Sometimes, investments in safety standards
    are ignored for short term gains. In the absence of adequate safety
    precautions, mining which is a hazardous industry, constantly
    challenged by nature - becomes prone to accidents.
    1

    4.

    A safe and decent work environment is a sine qua non of industrial


    progress. Effective prevention of work-related accidents, injuries
    and occupational diseases could render sizeable socio-economic
    benefits. Organizations in the mining industry need to proactively
    address potential safety problems through a comprehensive
    approach. A culture of prevention rather than a culture of reaction is
    required in the mining industry as a value-driven commitment
    towards zero tolerance to such incidents.

    Ladies and Gentlemen:


    5.

    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. Moreover, mine safety has benefitted from
    improvements visible in mode of access into mine, transportation
    system for men and materials, strata control, ventilation of
    underground workings, mechanization of operations and use of
    safety gadgets, improved rescue procedures, better training, and
    health surveillance. Though we are yet to reach the goal of zero
    harm, this paradigm shift in approach to mine safety can justifiably
    be termed a silent revolution.

    6.

    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.

    7.

    The

    mining

    industry

    has

    to

    address

    crucial

    aspects

    like

    standardisation of OHS programmes, deployment of effective


    communication tools, measures for enhanced productivity and
    expectations of the society. Mitigating these challenges call for
    enhanced application of information technology solutions. An OHS
    management system can deliver considerable benefits, including
    minimizing operational risks and liabilities, meeting regulatory
    requirements and customer demands, improving corporate image,
    and achieving competitive advantage.
    Ladies and Gentlemen:
    8.

    Introduction of state-of-the-art technology in mining activity can lead


    to improvement in safety, besides productivity and financial gains.
    Mines that have adopted modern technology have expanded their
    businesses by exploiting deposits of lower grades which were
    hitherto considered uneconomic. At the same time, they have
    gained extensively in terms of safety as improved technology has
    raised the safety profile of mining operations.

    9.

    Another important factor that can elevate safety standards and


    prevent accidents is training of the mining workforce. It is necessary
    to have in place an effective industry-wise skill development
    mechanism to achieve accident-free mining. For that, a proper
    understanding is needed about the inter-dependence between
    work-place

    environment,

    technology

    and

    operational

    skill

    requirement.
    10.

    Government initiatives to augment mineral production ought to have


    a large skilled manpower which calls for modern training facilities.
    Along with that, the demand for trainers will also be high. The
    mineral industry should take the lead in filling this gap by setting up
    world-class centres for capacity building and skill development of
    mine workers. Such training should impart real life skills to mine
    workers for identification of hazards and avoidance of dangers in
    routine and non-routine tasks.
    3

    Ladies and Gentlemen:


    11.

    Concerns about worker safety should engage attention at the


    highest corporate level. Safety and employee health should not only
    be a part of a companys mission but also core elements of its
    business plan, inseparable from productivity and profitability goals. I
    urge the apex management in mining companies to usher in an
    effective safety management system.

    12.

    Mahatma Gandhi had said and I quote: The future depends on


    what you do today (unquote). Health and safety of workers should
    become an important shared agenda for all stakeholders in the
    mining industry. Everyone should come together to make mines
    safe for our miners. I am confident that substantial improvement in
    mines safety will occur in the years to come.

    13.

    Let me once again compliment all the award winners and wish
    everyone the very best for their endeavours. With the hope that the
    National Safety Awards (Mines) will continue to be the catalyst in
    enhancing occupational health and safety standards among our
    mine workers, I conclude.
    Thank you.
    Jai Hind.
    ****

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