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| Escape Training using Self-Contained-Self-Rescuers in an underground coal mine |
STRATEGIC GOAL:
Mine disasters |
KEYWORDS:
Self-Contained Self-Rescuers, SCSRs, Long Term Field Evaluation, LTFE, mine escape |
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| RESEARCHER: | Nicholas Kyriazi, NIOSH/National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory, NIOSH, 412-386-6482 |
PURPOSE: To monitor the reliability of Self-Contained Self-Rescuers (SCSRs) deployed in US underground coal mines.
RESEARCH SUMMARY: After an underground mine fire or explosion, the mine atmosphere may become oxygen deficient or filled with smoke and toxic gases. Respiratory protection is necessary for successful escape from the mine. Only closed-circuit breathing apparatus known as SCSRs can provide the life support capacity necessary for emergency escape.
SCSRs have been deployed in US underground coal mines since 1981, and the LTFE began shortly after, as a joint USBM/MSHA project to monitor their reliability and assure their proper functioning in the event of emergency use. Today, the LTFE collects and tests nearly 200 SCSRs per year.
As a result of LTFE investigations, many problems with SCSRs have been discovered, ranging from quality control failure, aging, mine environment impact, as well as poor inspection procedures. As a result, about 55,000 SCSRs have been recalled or decertified, and recommended changes in inspection procedures or donning instructions have affected about 70,000 SCSRs. Because of lessons learned from the LTFE design changes have been and are continuing to be made to improve the performance and reliability of SCSRs.
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