(1)In taking preventive and protective measures, the owner shall arrange for regular assessment of the risk and dealing with it in the following order of priority:-(a)eliminate the risk;(b)control the risk at source;(c)minimize the risk that include the design of safe work systems; and(d)in so far as the risk remains, provide for the use of personal protective equipment, having regard to what is reasonable, practicable and feasible, and to good practice and the exercise of due diligence.(2)Owners shall take all necessary measures to eliminate or minimize the risks to safety and health of persons employed in mines under their control and shall-(a)ensure that the mine is designed, constructed and provided with electrical, mechanical and other equipment, including a communication system, to provide conditions for safe operation and a healthy working environment;(b)ensure that the machine is commissioned, operated, maintained and de-commissioned in such a way that workers can perform the work assigned to them without endangering their safety and health or that of other persons;(c)take steps to maintain the stability of the ground in which persons have access in the context of their work;(d)where practicable, provide from every underground workplace, two exits each of which is connected to separate means of egress to the surface;(e)ensure the monitoring, assessment and regular inspection of the working environment to identify the various hazards to which the workers may be exposed and to assess their level of exposure;(f)ensure adequate ventilation for all underground working to which access is permitted;(g)in respect of zones susceptible to particular hazards, draw up and implement an operating plan and procedures to ensure a safe system of work and the protection of workers;(h)take measures and precautions appropriate to the nature of a mine operation to prevent, detect and combat the start and spread of fires, explosions and inundations;(i)ensure that, when there is serious danger to the safety and health of workers, operations are stopped and workers are evacuated to a safe location;(j)ensure that corrective actions are taken immediately, when manager or other officials report non-compliance with safety and health regulations or code of practice by any person.(3)The owner shall ensure preparation of an emergency response plan specific to each mine for reasonably foreseeable industrial and natural disasters.(4)Where workers are exposed to physical, chemical or biological hazards, the owner shall-(a)inform the workers, in a comprehensible manner, of the hazards associated with their work, the health risks involved and relevant preventive and protective measures;(b)take appropriate measures to eliminate or minimize the risks resulting from exposure to those hazards;(c)where adequate protection against risks of accident or injury to health including exposure to adverse conditions is not possible to be ensured by other means, provide and maintain at no cost to the worker, suitable protective equipment, clothing as necessary and other facilities as defined by these regulations;(d)provide workers who have suffered from an injury or illness at the workplace with first aid, appropriate transportation from the workplace and access to appropriate medical facilities.(5)The owner shall ensure that-(a)adequate training and re-training programs and comprehensible instructions are provided for workers, at no cost to them, on safety and health matters as well as on the work assigned;(b)adequate supervision and control are provided in each shift to secure the safe operation of the mine;(c)a system is established so that the names of all persons who are employed belowground can be accurately known at any time, as well as their probable location;(d)all accidents and dangerous occurrences are investigated and appropriate remedial actions are taken;(e)the reporting of information and notices specified under regulation 8 is made to the Regional Inspector and to the Chief Inspector on accidents and dangerous occurrences.(6)The owner shall ensure regular health surveillance of workers exposed to occupational health hazards specific to mining operations.
