118 professionals take part in Trade Test, First-Aid contests at Lumshnong
Shillong, Nov 1: Over hundred mining professionals from across the North East had their skills tested during a Trade Test and First-Aid competitions held at Lumshnong, the hub of cement plants in East Jaintia Hills district.
The competitions were organised as part of the 23rd North East Metalliferous Mines Safety Week 2026 under the aegis of the Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS), Guwahati Region.
Nine teams representing different limestone mines across North East took part in the competitions held at Meghalaya Cement Limited and Dalmia Cement (Bharat) Limited.
The Trade Test Competition covered 11 trades, including Mining Mate, Drill Operator, Excavator Operator and Blaster.
The 118 mining professionals were assessed on their practical skills, safety awareness, equipment handling, hazard identification and knowledge of prescribed safety procedures.
The First Aid Competition tested the teams’ ability to respond to workplace emergencies, including their knowledge of first aid, casualty management and emergency response preparedness.
Doctors from Coal India Limited and Oil India Limited served as evaluators.
Prizes were awarded to successful participants and the best-performing teams based on their performance in the respective competitions.
Director of Mines Safety B Dayasagar and Deputy Director of Mines Safety Kamlesh Kumar Verma, both from DGMS Guwahati Region, attended the events along with members of the organising committee and senior mining executives.
Representatives of Dalmia Cement (NE) Limited, this year’s organising host, and senior executives of Star Cement Limited were also present during the first-aid competition.
A company spokesperson said safety in mining operations depended not only on established systems and procedures but also on the skills, awareness and preparedness of workers at mine sites.
The spokesperson said the competitions provided mining professionals an opportunity to demonstrate their practical knowledge, exchange experiences and reinforce safe working practices.
The annual initiative seeks to improve professional competence, promote knowledge-sharing and strengthen compliance with safety standards across mining operations in the North East.
The first-aid competition also focuses on improving workers’ ability to respond promptly and effectively to accidents and medical emergencies at mine sites.
