Section 22 vs 22A: What’s the Difference in Mines Act?

Section 22 vs 22A: What’s the Difference in Mines Act?

• Blogs
• Aug 29, 2025

When it comes to mining safety, the law doesn’t leave things to chance. Inspectors aren’t just desk officers—they have real powers to stop unsafe practices and protect workers.

But here’s the tricky bit: The Mines Act actually has two separate sections that sound very similar—Section 22 and Section 22A. At first glance, both give inspectors the power to shut down work. So why two?

Let’s break it down. 

Section 22: The Catch-All Safety Net

Think of Section 22 as the “in case of emergency, break glass” rule.

It kicks in when:

There’s a danger not specifically covered by the Act. For example: a new machine that behaves unpredictably, a sudden risk of roof collapse, or unsafe work practices no one thought to legislate about.

What can the Inspector do?

- Issue a notice to the mine manager/owner to fix the issue within a specified time.

- If ignored, he can prohibit employment in that area, allowing only essential staff to work until things are fixed.

- In extreme situations (like imminent roof fall, flooding, or fire), the inspector can order an immediate halt to work.

- And here’s the worker-friendly bit: anyone whose employment is stopped gets full wages or alternative work at the same pay.

In short: Section 22 gives inspectors broad powers to tackle unforeseen dangers—things the law didn’t specifically spell out.

Section 22A: When Rules Already Exist

Now, Section 22A is more like the “follow the manual” rule.

It applies when:

The law already has an express provision for safety (like proper ventilation, roof support, or protective gear). But the mine owner/manager isn’t following it.

What happens then?

The Chief Inspector can issue a notice requiring compliance within a deadline.

- If ignored, he can prohibit employment in the mine (except for essential workers).

- Just like in Section 22, affected workers get full wages or alternative jobs.

In short: Section 22A isn’t about new dangers—it’s about enforcing existing safety provisions that someone is neglecting.

The Key Difference

Section 22 = Covers unforeseen or unregulated dangers. (A safety net for the unknown.)

Section 22A = Enforces compliance with already existing safety rules. (No excuses for ignoring the law.)

So, inspectors essentially have two weapons:

- One for when the law hasn’t anticipated the danger (22).

- And one for when the law already has, but the mine is cutting corners (22A).

The Bigger Picture

Mining is inherently risky. Laws like Section 22 and 22A ensure that inspectors don’t have to wait for a tragedy before acting. Whether it’s a brand-new hazard no one saw coming, or a manager ignoring the rulebook, the law makes sure there’s always a way to step in.