ACCIDENT DUE TO ROPE HAULAGES

OVERVIEW
Transport operations account for roughly One third of all fatal accidents and one fifth of
all serious Accidents in the Mines. In Underground Mines rope haulage System Accounts
for a major share of the Accidents. Majority of rope haulage System in our Mines suffer
due to the following problems:

Slow in Operation
Labour Intensive
Low Capacity.
Inherently hazardous.

So in this experiment first we listed nine major causes for accidents due to rope haulages
and then did a survey in the Iron ore mines at Tensa owned by Jindal Steel and Power.
TENSA MINES
The mines meet a part of the companys iron ore requirement for its sponge iron plant.
Equipped with fully mechanised techniques, it currently produces about 3.11 MTPA of
sponge grade iron ore. An additional mobile screening unit has been installed to ensure
the availability of high-grade iron ore / fines for its sinter plant at Raigarh (Chhattisgarh).
Mining is done by top slicing method. Ore body (OB) and ore are removed mechanically
with the help of excavator and dumper. Average heights of the benches are maintained as
per the regulations and permissions granted by the Director of Mines Safety, Chaibasa
region. The ROM is fed to the crusher to get the final product of 5 - 20 mm crushed ore.
Haul roads are maintained properly, taking into account width and gradient. Strong
parapet walls all along the haul road have been provided and maintained. Drilling
operation is carried out at the mines with the help of IBH-10 drill machine. A water
injection system has been provided in the drill for wet drilling to suppress the fugitive
dust. Rock breaker has been provided to break the oversize boulders eliminating
secondary blasting.
Sufficient water spraying arrangements have been provided to suppress dust on haul
roads with the help of fixed water sprinkling system and 20 KL capacity water sprinkler
throughout the working shifts. Water sprinkling arrangement has also been provided at all
discharge points of ore processing plant (OPP) along with the atomised sprinkling
arrangement.
Dumpers of 35 MT capacity transport the ROM from mine to crusher through a wellmaintained haul road. The haul road and mine is one of the best in the locality, for which
we have been accorded the best haul road prize and best overall performance award
during the Annual Mines Safety Week Celebration. Besides, MEMC Week Celebration

for mineral consumption and development is being conducted. Proper blending

proportion was maintained to achieve the required quality and simultaneously mineral
conservation is also maintained to achieve the optimum life of the mine. Various steps
are being taken to achieve the optimum costing in mining. Steps are being taken for
diversion of rest of the mines area from forest department.
ANALYSIS AND RESULTS
After the survey we found out that the mine is really well maintained and it was
recognized as the Best mine with overall performance award on 15th Mines environment
and mineral conservation week 2013 by IBM.
During the year span of 1990 to 2013 it had accidents due to:

Uncontrolled movement of tubs.

Set riding, persons riding on the buffer of the tub or the rope.
Traveling along haulage roadways.
Non-provision or non-functioning of Safety devices required statutory.

So I suggested some the measures that I had listed out previously:

Stop blocks, runaway switches, drags, Jazz rail and manholes must be provided
as required.
Strong Buffer at the dip end.
Stop block and runaway switch should be intercoupled.
Unauthorized traveling should be strictly prohibited.
Traveling roadways - short and in intake air, alignment not to be changed
frequently.
Strict Vigil and suitable punishment to the defaulters.
Highlight such persons name.
Suitable warning system during the uncontrolled Movement.
While lowering tubs, the drum of direct rope haulage should not be unclutched.