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| Decision-making during a simulated mine emergency |
Background
It is often during the first crucial minutes of a mine emergency, such as a fire or an explosion, that the activities and decisions determine the outcome. Inaccurate information and less-than-optimum decision-making contributed to the deaths of 13 miners in a coal mine explosion in Alabama in 2001.
Research is being conducted to gain a better understanding of initial responses during the first critical minutes of a mine emergency and to evaluate outcomes with respect to those responses. Focus groups are being conducted across the country with individuals who have been closely involved in emergency situations at mines to obtain their perspectives on the optimum strategies to pursue. Topics covered include initial communications, available information, judgments, and decision-making. The analysis of the data will result in training protocols and interventions to enhance initial response in the first crucial minutes of a mine emergency.
Potential Outcome
By 2008, this research is expected to result in a better understanding of the appropriate behavior of the mining workforce during emergencies. This will translate into a better understanding of the potential hazards posed by a mine emergency and will enable a quicker response and a more positive outcome to the emergency. Mine operators, government agencies, and emergency responders will be better trained and equipped to plan for emergencies. They will be able to incorporate successful strategies, improve response behaviors, and enhance decision-making skills during mine emergency and rescue operations. This research will thus reduce the exposure of miners to the hazards encountered in these situations. In addition, the sharing of this information on behaviors in the first critical moments of a mine emergency has application to the broader emergency response community.