As per Section 46 of the Mines Act, 1952, no woman can be employed in any part of a mine which is below ground or above ground except between the hours of 6 A.M. and 7 P.M. Relaxing this provision, the Ministry of Labour and Employment has, in a recent notification dated 29th January, 2019 exempted women from this restriction if the conditions given below are followed:
- Written consent is obtained from woman employee/s who are willing to work between 7 pm and 6 am.
- Adequate facilities and safeguards regarding occupational safety, security and health are provided to women working during night shifts.
- Standard Operating procedures are framed and followed on the basis of the guidelines issued in this regard by the Chief Inspector of Mines from time to time;
- Women are deployed in a group of not less than three in a shift.
Source: Ministry of Labour and Employment
