NIOSH Mining Safety and Health Research

Escape and Rescue Project: A systematic miner escape and safe rescue strategy is necessary when mine accidents such as fires or explosions occur and lives are in danger. Miners have not always escaped US coal mine accidents and rescuers have not always reached trapped or barricaded miners in time to save their lives. NIOSH is investigating how to help the underground coal industry develop resilient miners who are capable of timely self-rescue under adverse conditions and hazardous atmospheres, first responders and mine rescue teams who are capable of rapid, state-of-the-art safe rescue and management organizations that effectively support these goals.

Miner and Team Training: About 675 underground coal mines and 260 underground metal/nonmetal mines operate in the United States with a total workforce of 53,620 underground miners. Currently, there are 268 company and state operated mine rescue teams available to respond to an emergency, such as a fire or explosion, The Mine Emergency Escape & Response research program goal is to enhance the safety and effectiveness of escaping miners and emergency responders in evacuating miners after an emergency by developing realistic training simulations and improving technology for rescue, exploration, recovery, firefighting, and evacuation.

Mine rescue simulations and in-mine smoke training exercises are being developed, conducted, and evaluated in cooperation with State agencies and mining companies at Lake Lynn Lab and at operating mines. During the underground exercises, rescue teams explore and map smoke-filled passageways, search for missing miners, administer first aid to injured miners, support bad roof by erecting cribs, and reestablish ventilation. Team members also fight liquid fuel fires and conveyor belt fires on the surface with dry chemical powder, high-expansion foam, and waterlines. Improved technologies such as light vests, thermal imaging cameras, communications systems, and lifelines are also evaluated during these exercises. For example, a lighted team lifeline was developed for emergency responders for use in low light areas and in smoky passageways during exploration and recovery operations. The lifeline contains a colored flexible light wire that passes through a 6.4-mm-diam translucent plastic rope. The light wire extends from the team captains position toward the tailpersons position and is battery-powered. The entire length of rope is sheathed with clear polyvinyl chloride tubing. Double-locking snaps and carabineers are attached to both ends of the lifeline for the captain and tailperson. Locking retractors that can extend 36 inches are secured to the lifeline at 7-ft intervals for the remaining team members. Team members attach the carabineers or retractors to their mine belt and have freedom of movement to do activities such as carry stretchers and supplies, erect temporary ventilation controls, and build roof supports. The lifeline also alleviates tripping and falling problems. The lighted wire allows the team members to easily find the lifeline if it tangles around obstacles when exploring in darkness and smoke-filled passageways. A patent application on the lighted lifeline is pending.

The Mine Emergency Response Interactive Training Stimulation (MERITS) is a tool for preparing command center leaders to control mine emergencies. The simulation is set at an underground bituminous coal mine, but trainees from anthracite coal and underground stone have participated in the sessions. MERITS is available on CD or for downloading over the Internet. A new version compatible with current computer operating systems is being programmed now.

SCSR Switchover Procedure and Expectations Training: According to section 2(3)(b)(2)(E)(iii)(IV) of the 2006 MINER Act, each underground coal miner must be trained in the proper procedures for donning self-rescuers, switching from one unit to another, and ensuring a proper fit. Researchers at the NIOSH Pittsburgh Research Laboratory, in partnership with MSHA and original equipment manufacturers, undertook development of a procedure for switching from one SCSR to another and expectations training for teaching miners 1) what to expect from the SCSR unit during an emergency and 2) what to expect from themselves and fellow miners during escape.