**Executive Summary**
This document is a response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1990 regarding health issues among coal mine workers. The Minister of Coal and Mines outlines measures taken by Coal Sector PSUs to address health risks, including continuous health studies, healthcare infrastructure, and occupational health services. There are no plans to transition coal workers towards employment in renewable energy sectors. The response was provided on February 11, 2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Health Monitoring and Assessment:**
* Coal Sector PSUs conduct continuous health studies, surveillance programmes, and epidemiological assessments.
* Health conditions, including respiratory and dermatological disorders, are routinely assessed.
* Assessments include Initial Medical Examination (IME), Periodic Medical Examinations (PME), and statutory occupational health surveys.
* Suspected occupational diseases are evaluated by Occupational Disease Boards (ODB) in CIL and SCCL subsidiaries.
* **Healthcare Infrastructure:**
* CIL operates a large healthcare network, including hospitals, dispensaries, occupational health centres, ambulances, and mobile medical vans.
* SCCL operates area hospitals and dispensaries.
* NLCIL has an integrated Occupational Health Services model.
* All medical services, including those for contractual workers, are provided free of cost.
* **Occupational Health Services (OHS):**
* A structured OHS framework is functional across CIL and SCCL subsidiaries.
* OHS Wings are led by trained Occupational Health Physicians.
* Regular broncho-pulmonary medical camps are conducted by CIL and SCCL.
* Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) awareness programmes are organised to promote proper usage of respirators and protective devices.
* **Disease Incidence:**
* No confirmed cases of occupational respiratory or dermatological diseases have been reported in CIL and SCCL in the last five years based on consolidated medical records and ODB evaluations.
* Continuous monitoring is carried out for early detection and timely intervention.
* **NLCIL Mines:**
* NLCIL mines are open cast and fully mechanised, minimizing occupational related illness.
* **Transitioning to Renewable Energy Sectors:**
* There are no plans for transitioning coal workers towards employment in renewable energy sectors.
**Impact Analysis**
**Coal Mine Workers**
* **Impact:** Coal mine workers are directly impacted by the health risks associated with mining activities. The measures outlined aim to prevent, detect early, and effectively manage these risks.
* **Action Required:** Coal mine workers should participate in health monitoring programs, utilize PPE correctly, and attend awareness programs.
**Coal Sector PSUs (CIL, SCCL, NLCIL)**
* **Impact:** The Coal Sector PSUs are responsible for implementing and maintaining the health monitoring, healthcare infrastructure, and occupational health services for their workers.
* **Action Required:** Coal Sector PSUs must continue to conduct health studies, provide medical services, operate OHS frameworks, conduct medical camps, and organize PPE awareness programs.
**Ministry of Coal**
* **Impact:** The Ministry of Coal is responsible for overseeing the health and safety of coal mine workers and ensuring that the Coal Sector PSUs are taking adequate measures.
* **Action Required:** The Ministry must continue to monitor the health of coal mine workers, review the effectiveness of the measures taken by the Coal Sector PSUs, and address any emerging health risks.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Coal: Primary subject and government body responsible for addressing the health issues among coal mine workers.
Coal India Limited (CIL): Major coal producer whose subsidiaries implement the health programs discussed.
Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL): Major coal producer whose subsidiaries implement the health programs discussed.
Occupational Health Services (OHS): Framework implemented by CIL and SCCL subsidiaries for the health of coal mine workers.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COAL
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1990
ANSWERED ON 11.02.2026
HEALTH ISSUES AMONG COAL MINES WORKERS
1990. DR. GUMMA THANUJA RANI:
Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:
(a) whether a recent study has highlighted severe health issues linked to mining pollutants among
coal miners including respiratory and skin diseases and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government has taken any action to mitigate these health risks among
coal workers; and
(c) if so, the details thereof including any plans for transitioning coal workers
towards employment in renewable energy sectors?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF COAL AND MINES
(SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)
(a): The Coal Sector PSUs undertake extensive and continuous health studies, surveillance
programmes and epidemiological assessments to monitor disease patterns in coal mining regions.
Health conditions related to mining exposure, including respiratory and dermatological disorders
are routinely assessed through a structured framework comprising Initial Medical Examination
(IME), Periodic Medical Examinations (PME) and statutory occupational health surveys.
Suspected occupational diseases are evaluated through Occupational Disease Boards (ODB),
functional in all subsidiaries of Coal India Limited (CIL) and Singareni Collieries Company
Limited (SCCL).
Based on consolidated medical records and ODB evaluations, no confirmed cases of occupational
respiratory or dermatological diseases have been reported during the last five years in CIL and
SCCL. Continuous monitoring is, however, carried out for early detection and timely intervention.
NLCIL mines are open cast mines and are fully mechanised. As such no manual labours are used
in direct mining activities and hence, they are at minimal risk in acquiring occupational related
illness.(b) and (c): The Coal Sector PSUs have taken extensive preventive and mitigating measures to
address health risks associated with mining activities. Details are as under:
(i) Coal Sector PSUs have developed a strong health care infrastructure. Coal India Limited (CIL)
operates one of the largest industrial healthcare networks in the country comprising 64 hospitals,
300 dispensaries, 69 Occupational Health Centres, 3,769 beds, 1,054 doctors, 939 nurses, 2,301
paramedical staff, 500 ambulances and 19 mobile medical vans, supported by 523 empanelled
super-speciality hospitals. All medical services, including for contractual workers, are provided
free of cost.
SCCL operates 7 area hospitals, 21 dispensaries with 821 beds, supported by empanelled super-
speciality hospitals. All medical services, including for contractual workers, are provided free of
cost.
NLCIL has an integrated Occupational Health Services model supported by a 350-bedded hospital,
providing comprehensive clinical and occupational health services including pulmonology,
dermatology, psychiatry, industrial hygiene and medical sociology.
(ii) A structured Occupational Health Services (OHS) framework is functional across all
subsidiaries of CIL and SCCL, with dedicated OHS Wings led by trained Occupational Health
Physicians.
(iii) Regular broncho-pulmonary medical camps are conducted by CIL and SCCL through
empanelled hospitals for early detection and management of dust-related respiratory conditions.
(iv) Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) awareness programmes are organised across CIL
subsidiaries and SCCL to promote correct selection and usage of respirators and other protective
devices.
These measures collectively aim at prevention, early detection and effective management of
mining-related health risks among coal mine workers. There are no plans for transitioning coal
workers towards employment in renewable energy sectors.
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