Evaluation of Safety Management Systems in Coal Mining Operations in India

Coal mining constitutes a major component of India’s industrial and energy infrastructure, contributing substantially to electricity generation and economic development. Despite technological advancement, mining operations continue to remain highly hazardous because of geological uncertainties, operational complexities, and unsafe working conditions. The present study evaluates the effectiveness of Safety Management Systems (SMS) implemented in Indian coal mining operations through analysis of hazard identification procedures, risk assessment techniques, accident frequency, and severity indices. The study emphasizes the importance of systematic safety planning, proactive hazard control, worker training, and regulatory compliance under the Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS). Comparative evaluation of four coal mines was conducted using safety performance indicators including Accident Frequency Rate (AFR) and Severity Rate (SR). Results indicate significant variation in safety performance among mines, primarily due to differences in implementation efficiency, worker awareness, emergency preparedness, and management commitment. Mine D demonstrated superior safety performance with the lowest AFR and SR values, while Mine C exhibited poor safety outcomes due to inadequate hazard mitigation measures. The research concludes that integration of advanced technologies such as IoT-based monitoring systems, real-time gas detection, and simulation-based training can substantially improve mine safety performance. The study provides practical recommendations for strengthening safety culture and establishing sustainable accident prevention strategies in Indian coal mines.