Back to The MINER Act of 2006 and Related NIOSH Activities

Overview

When miner's lives are in danger, mine emergency response systems must function rapidly and competently. The hierarchy of response actions begins with self-escape, then first responders and/or fire brigades, and last of all mine rescue teams. If there is a breakdown in self-escape and initial responders are not successful, then the deployment of mine rescue teams is necessary. Just as in fire fighting, team members accept some personal risk to save the lives of others. Hence, it is essential that the nearly 320 United States mine rescue teams are fully equipped with state-of-the-art technology, are professionally trained, and receive guidance from the best available mine emergency response experts.

Overall, the majority of mine rescue teams have performed well during mine emergency responses. However, NIOSH research has found that mine rescue teams possess highly variable levels of readiness, and some do not have the resources to be fully prepared for all types of mine emergency responses. NIOSH research has identified numerous associated issues including the opportunity for realistic training, current skills training practices, standardization of skills and equipment, incident command, mine rescue contests, and coal mine rescue training facilities. NIOSH researchers also conducted an inventory of the United States and international coal mine rescue training practices, contest procedures, technologies, and training facilities to take a closer look at the current skills disparity. The purpose of this research was to identify practices in the United States and around the world that could improve the current underground coal mine rescue system.

NIOSH has concluded an inventory of coal mine rescue training capabilities and facilities across the United States and in several other countries. Current research includes a similar investigation of training practices for underground metal/nonmetal mines. NIOSH is currently analyzing the data from this research to provide guidance that will improve U.S. mine rescue training and evaluate the applicability of international practices. Preliminary findings have identified that realistic skills training for the following basic competencies should be provided to all U.S. mine rescue team members.

Primary Skills:

• basic mine rescue skills and practices (contest and real-life rules, first aid, map reading, mine gases, dust and ventilation, communications, breathing apparatus, rescue and fire-fighting equipment, gas sampling, ventilation control construction, etc.)
• basic mining skills and knowledge (roof and rib control, shoring and cribbing standing support, sources of ignition, the importance of adequate rock dusting, equipment safety, electrical dos and don'ts, etc.)
• advanced first aid and life support systems (e.g., a paramedic on each team),
• specialized fire fighting, ventilation effects of fires,
• gas analysis, sampling, and trend analysis,
• navigation and working under apparatus and in reduced visibility (smoke or dust),
• multiple team rotation procedures,
• incident-command training, and
• problem-solving and decision-making.

Non-typical skills:

• heavy-object lifting or removal,
• vertical-rope rescue or repelling from structures or shafts and raises, and
• still and swift water rescue.

In cooperation with state mining agencies and mining companies, realistic training exercises for mine rescue teams have been developed, conducted, and evaluated at NIOSH's Lake Lynn Laboratory and other supporting mine rescue training centers . These training simulations require teams to make strategic decisions while they explore smoke-filled entries, rescue injured miners, navigate around obstacles such as bad roof and water, conduct equipment checks, and re-establish ventilation controls. Efforts are underway to offer further guidance to mine rescue teams to provide practical and realistic training that will increase readiness and better equip mine rescue teams for any kind of mine emergency response.

NIOSH Projects and Activities

References