Mine Rescue

Issue 5: PART 49 MINE RESCUE TRAINING

Description of the Issue:

Mine Rescue is an integral part of underground mining.  As long as there are underground mines in the state there will be a need for comprehensive training in mine rescue and mine rescue techniques. The South Central District Manager of the Mine Safety and Health Administration has issued the order that the underground mines in the Kansas City, Missouri area will comply with Part 49, Mine Rescue Training and will provide the proper mine rescue capability to the miners in the area.  We have begun to train the underground mines in the area. This will be an ongoing effort.

We will see an increase in the requests for Mine Rescue Training in FY 1998.  We are not sure as to the amount of increase this will be.

There is a great need for Mine Rescue due to the underground storage facilities located at and around the mines in the Kansas City area.  The mines themselves need the capability for obvious reasons, but the people who work in the underground storage facilities and factories are at risk due to fire and possible inundation.  Continuation of and possible expansion of this program is a necessity.  We also have a customer base of seven mine rescue teams we train on a regular basis.

Proposed Solution:

Continuation of the present program.

FY 1997 has been a very interesting year for Mine Rescue Training.  We have Worked from the Dallas District Office recommendation to train the St. Louis City Fire Department in Mine Rescue.  We have completed six sessions and the Fire Department has responded well.  There is a tunneling operation being conducted in the St. Louis Metro area which satisfies the need for mine rescue capability in the city of St. Louis.  The Metro Link rail system and the Metropolitan Sewer District has the main responsibility for the protection and rescue capability for trapped employees and passengers.  The Fire Department wants to be able to compete in the Rolla Mine Rescue Contest to be held in October.

Goal:

We will train the miner in the required subjects that will provide him or her the knowledge and ability to perform the duties of a mine rescue team member.

Objective:

Provide training that will enable the miner to aid in the rescue and recovery of trapped miners or those miners caught in an emergency situation.

Outline:

1. Introduction to Mine Rescue. (20 hours) This training will comply with the course of instruction as prescribed by MSHA's Office of Educational Policy and Development
2. The use, care and maintenance of the type of breathing apparatus used at the mine.
3. Wearing and use of the breathing apparatus used at the mine.
4. Use and care of the mine rescue equipment found at the mine.
5. Mine map and ventilation procedures at the mine.
6. Training from the MSHA Mine Rescue Modules
   1. Surface Organization  2201
   2. Mine Gases  2202
   3. Mine Ventilation  2203
   4. Exploration  2204
   5. Fires, Firefighting and Explosions  2205
   6. Rescue of Survivors and Recovery of Bodies  2206
   7. Mine Recovery  2207
7. Work from the Mine Rescue Activity Book 2208
8. Layout and run through of practice problems.
9. Judge and critique of practice problem run through.
10. Consultation

Time:

Discussions will cause the time devoted to each segment to fluctuate.  Each topic will be presented with the type of mining procedure used and availability of equipment taken into consideration.

20 hours will be devoted to the introduction to mine rescue.
40 hours of refresher units will be held annually. Four hours per month or eight hours bi-annually
Four hours training under oxygen and underground will be conducted semi-annually.