(1) The size of an overman's district shall be so arranged that:

(a) the number of persons of all categories under the charge of the overman does not exceed
100,
(b) the distance between the first and the last working face is ordinarily not more than 750 m.
(2,500 ft.) measured along the inspection route (but not taking into consideration the traveling
done beyond the last ventilating connections for inspecting blind ends);

Provided that when the thickness of the seam is less than 1.5 m. (5 ft.) or when the workings
are steeper than 1 in 5, the said distance may be limited to 450 m. (1.500 ft.); and

(c) the output of the district is not more than 100 tonnes per shift.

Provided that if part of the output is from depillaring area the said limit of output may be
increased to 125 tonnes.

(2) The criteria given in (1) above will not apply to—

(a) A longwall face, which should be under the charge of one overman only in each shift
irrespective of the output and number of men employed at the face; and

(b) The mines in Assam which have specially arduous conditions of work. For these mines
the size of an overman's district shall be determined in consultation with the Joint Director of
Mines Safety.

(3) If any variation of the above mentioned directions becomes necessary in any mine due to
any reason, the case shall be referred to the concerned Joint Director of Mines Safety.

(4) It is expected that the mine management shall not retrench any overman if he becomes
surplus to the requirements of a mine in accordance with the criteria given in para 2 above.
(Cir. 48/1956)

2. Size of Foreman’s District—The size of a foreman's district will, amongst other things,
depend upon type of mine i.e., an opencast or underground mine; degree of mechanisation;
steepness of workings; nature of working whether development drives or sloping district etc.
Taking into consideration different factors, it has been decided that the size of a Foreman's
district, may be determined as follows :

A. OPENCAST MINES
(a) Manually worked or Semi-mechanised A Foreman's district shall comprise of two or more
mate districts subject to a maximum of 4 such districts within a radius of 1 km in a hilly
terrain or 2 km in flat country.

Provided that there shall be not more than 75 persons under the charge of one mate and the
total length of working face in one or different benches in vertical plane shall not exceed 300
m in a mate's district when it is in a hilly terrain or 500 m in flat country as the case may be.

(b) Fully Mechanised

A Foreman's district shall comprise of mechanised working in which not more than two
power shovels are operating with ancillary equipment viz: dumpers, loaders and drills etc.

B. UNDERGROUND MINES

Assuming that a Foreman can look after a mine having working point 2000 m apart
horizontally and 100 m apart vertically at the extreme points, with up to 100 men under his
charge the workload for a Foreman may be determined from the following empirical
formula:—

Workload = DLW = 100 points for Full workload 200000 for a Foreman.
where, D = Vertical distance in meters between extreme working levels,
L = Horizontal walkable distance in meters between extreme working points,
W = No. of workmen underground placed under the charge of a Foreman. Provided, however,
that—
(i) a foreman shall not be asked to supervise work of more than 2 sloping districts;
(ii) at least one Foreman shall be appointed per shift; and
(iii) a Foreman shall supervise the work of not more than 2 mates.

The above criteria are given here for general guidance only. If any variation of the above-
mentioned directions becomes necessary in any mine due to any practical difficulties, the
advice of concerned Joint Director may be sought. At the same time, depending on local
conditions, a Joint Director may stipulate additional number of foremen to be appointed in
the interest of safety of workers, as a special case.

It is expected that no mine management shall retrench any Foreman if he becomes surplus to
the requirements of a mine in accordance with the criteria given above.
(Cir. 34/1974)

CMR 35/MMR 38
1. Continuous employment of surveyor at a mine—Preparation of accurate and upto date
plans and sections are no doubt important functions of the surveyors but what is more
important is that the surveyors should be able to prevent the working from being made either
contrary to the regulations or in a haphazard manner. This can only be achieved if surveyors
visit the workings frequently and direct the course of workings. For this purpose it is essential
that no surveyor is transferred, discharged or dismissed unless he is relieved by a duly
qualified substitute.
(Cir. 22/1961)

2. Duties and responsibilities of surveyors—Under the provisions of Reg. 35(2) of Coal

Mines Regulations 1957, a person appointed as a Surveyor for more than one mine is
required to obtain prior permission from this Directorate. Most of the coal mines re-
constituted after nationalisation consist of more than one mine within the meaning of Reg. 30
of CMR '57 and have more than one Surveyor. A question has been raised whether all the
Surveyors so working in a mine are required to obtain prior permission under Reg. 35(2) of
CMR '57 or it is for the senior most/head Surveyor to obtain such permission.