Enhancing Mine Workers' Self-escape by Integrating Competency Assessment into Training

Mine workers' self-escape competencies (SEC) need to be better assessed during mine safety training to be sure that every underground mine worker possesses the competencies needed to successfully escape from emergencies that could occur in their mine. In response, NIOSH researchers sought to learn how mine safety trainers are teaching and assessing SEC in mine safety training. To accomplish their objectives, NIOSH researchers completed in-depth interviews with nine coal mine safety trainers about teaching and assessing SEC. Based on the results of these interviews, recommendations are provided in this document for mine safety trainers and mine operators to improve the training, assessment, and maintenance of SEC.