Bilaspur: South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) successfully hosted a one-day workshop on the safe installation and maintenance of electrical & mechanical equipment and Heavy Earth Moving Machinery (HEMM) at its headquarters in Bilaspur. The event was held under the aegis of the Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS).
Inauguration and Key Leadership Messages
The workshop was formally inaugurated with a ceremonial lamp lighting by Mr. Harish Duhan, CMD of SECL. Distinguished guests included Mr. N. Franklin Jayakumar, Director (Technical–Operations); Mr. Ramesh Chandra Mohapatra, Director (Technical–Project & Planning); DGMS officials from the Western Zone, Nagpur—Mr. T. Srinivas, DMS (Electrical); Mr. P.K. Jain, DMS (Mechanical); and Mr. Gaurav Ladha, DDMS (Electrical). Representatives from the SECL Safety Committee, including Mr. B. Dharmarao (AITUC), Mr. I.D. Chauhan (CITU), and Mr. G.S. Prasad (CMOAI), were also present.
In his address, Mr. Duhan emphasized SECL’s dedication to boosting both safety and operational performance through technological interventions, advocating the replacement of manual systems with mechanized operations wherever possible. He said that updating machinery and embracing new technologies is vital to maintaining the highest standards of workplace safety.
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Driving a Culture of Zero Harm
Mr. Jayakumar underscored the importance of practical, hands-on workshops in elevating safety standards across mines and workshops. Meanwhile, Mr. Mohapatra reaffirmed SECL’s commitment to “Zero Harm”, urging all participants to safeguard every piece of equipment, every worksite, and every worker. He also emphasized the importance of the “Take-5 Rule”, calling it a fundamental pillar of SECL’s safety culture.
Technical Sessions Led by DGMS Experts
Nearly 300 participants attended the workshop, including engineers, supervisors, technical staff, inspectors, foremen, and workers from SECL’s electrical, mechanical, and excavation divisions.
The workshop featured three technical sessions:
- Mr. T. Srinivas (DMS–Electrical) spoke on topics like fault current, earthing systems, and coordination of electrical grading.
- Mr. Gaurav Ladha (DDMS–Electrical) elaborated on current grading systems, current transformers, and industry-specific technical terminology.
- Mr. P.K. Jain (DMS–Mechanical) provided guidance on the responsibilities of engineers, the maintenance of logbooks and statutory records, adherence to SOP/SMP/JSA, and accident-prevention strategies.
Collaboration with OEMs and Focus on HEMM Safety
The programme began with a welcome address from Mr. Prakash Rai, SECL’s General Manager (Safety & Rescue), who underlined the company’s commitment to a strong safety culture and collective participation. Mr. Deepak Kumar, General Manager (Excavation) offered operational and safety perspectives on HEMM, and representatives from leading OEMs L&T and Komatsu briefed attendees on the latest safety features in heavy machinery.
The workshop was smoothly facilitated by Mr. Sheikh Zakir Husain, Chief Manager (Environment), and Mrs. Mitali Tiwari, Senior Manager (E&M), and it concluded with a vote of thanks by Mr. Srikant Das, General Manager (Electrical & Mechanical), who expressed gratitude to all the dignitaries, DGMS officials, and participants.
About SECL
South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) is a key subsidiary of Coal India Limited (CIL), focused on coal mining operations in central India. The company prioritises mine safety, technological innovation, and sustainable practices to ensure efficient and responsible coal production.
