MINE EMERGENCY MINE EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PREPAREDNESS
Systems to Assist
“In the Critical Minutes
Following an Incident
The Safety of the
Underground Workers
is Largely Influenced
by Their Own Actions”
Must the training be hands on instruction Must the training be hands on instruction possibly supported by mobilization exercise or possibly supported by mobilization exercise or realistic simulation?realistic simulation?
Is it practicable to provide training, which Is it practicable to provide training, which emulates the stresses and breathing emulates the stresses and breathing limitations of using self-contained self-rescuers limitations of using self-contained self-rescuers in an emergency evacuation situation?in an emergency evacuation situation?
Is the current standard of evacuation training Is the current standard of evacuation training given to workers to precondition them for a real given to workers to precondition them for a real escape actually effective?escape actually effective?
Can this type of training really simulate the Can this type of training really simulate the effects of airways choked with potentially lethal effects of airways choked with potentially lethal combustion products?combustion products?
Are the systems to assist mine emergency Are the systems to assist mine emergency evacuation appropriate and will they actually be evacuation appropriate and will they actually be used?used?
Is it possible to provide training to respond to Is it possible to provide training to respond to emergenciesemergencies
All persons underground at the time of
an
Incident shall be trained, equipped
and able
to make an escape to the surface, or
place
of safety, if physically capable.
Self Rescuers (belt worn)Self Rescuers (belt worn)
Refuge emergency basesRefuge emergency bases
Change over stationsChange over stations
Self rescuers (long Self rescuers (long duration)duration)
Robust Communication Robust Communication SystemsSystems
*Emergency notification
*Request for help
*Location and status of workers
*To give direction and guidance
The Availability ofThe Availability ofEffective Guidance SystemsEffective Guidance Systems
Overcome problems of disorientationOvercome problems of disorientation
Low visibilityLow visibility
Guidance to a place of safetyGuidance to a place of safety
AVAILABILITY OF AVAILABILITY OF TRANSPORT SYSTEMSTRANSPORT SYSTEMS
To exit the mineTo exit the mine
To refuge/emergency bases To refuge/emergency bases (more expeditiously)(more expeditiously)
Basic Respiratory SystemsBasic Respiratory Systems
A. Self-RescuersA. Self-Rescuers
B. Self Contained Self RescuersB. Self Contained Self Rescuers
Preference for apparatus that has a self-starting Preference for apparatus that has a self-starting Mechanism for an initial supply of oxygenMechanism for an initial supply of oxygen
WeightWeight Ease of donningEase of donning
Level of protection (duration, quality of oxygen supplied)Level of protection (duration, quality of oxygen supplied)
Size and ergonomicsSize and ergonomics
Availability of training modelsAvailability of training models
Robustness of the case (etc.)Robustness of the case (etc.)
Factors affecting Oxygen ConsumptionFactors affecting Oxygen Consumption
Body mass index – an indicator of fat levels – mostBody mass index – an indicator of fat levels – mostimportant factor that influences oxygen consumption.important factor that influences oxygen consumption.
Age – mechanical disadvantage for older workers.Age – mechanical disadvantage for older workers.
Fitness – fitter people require less oxygen.Fitness – fitter people require less oxygen.
Anxiety – an anxious person will have an increased Anxiety – an anxious person will have an increased pulse rate and rapid shallow breathing.pulse rate and rapid shallow breathing.
Heat and Humidity – people who work in hot and humidHeat and Humidity – people who work in hot and humidatmospheres will experience an increase in pulse rate,atmospheres will experience an increase in pulse rate,but noting that acclimatization is a factor.but noting that acclimatization is a factor.
Mine conditions that may be encountered, gradients, roadMine conditions that may be encountered, gradients, roadsurface, obstructions, etc.surface, obstructions, etc.
Mine site trial to determine realistic travelling distancesMine site trial to determine realistic travelling distancesand spacing.and spacing.
Fitness capability of workers.Fitness capability of workers.
Reassessing and updating as the mine situation changes.Reassessing and updating as the mine situation changes.
In good conditions (good visibility In good conditions (good visibility andandbeing able to travel standing being able to travel standing upright)upright)the following applies:the following applies:
60 min SCSR on average person 60 min SCSR on average person can travel 2.5 km.can travel 2.5 km.
30 min SCSR on average person 30 min SCSR on average person can travel 1.25 km.can travel 1.25 km.
Poor visibility reduces travel distancesPoor visibility reduces travel distancesby 60% of that travelled in good by 60% of that travelled in good visibility.visibility.
OPEN CIRCUITOPEN CIRCUIT
COMPRESSED AIR
REFUGEREFUGE
EMERGENCYEMERGENCY
BASESBASES
PERMANENTPERMANENT
REFUGEREFUGE
CHAMBERSCHAMBERS
MOVEABLEMOVEABLE
REFUGE /REFUGE /EMERGENCYEMERGENCY
BASESBASES
Oxygen generationOxygen generation
Carbon dioxide (COCarbon dioxide (CO22) removal) removal
Climate control (humidity & moisture removal)Climate control (humidity & moisture removal)
Communication systemsCommunication systems
First aidFirst aid
Self sufficient power supplySelf sufficient power supply
Potable waterPotable water
Chemical toiletChemical toilet
Mobile and can be relocated easilyMobile and can be relocated easily
ROBUST COMMUNICATION ROBUST COMMUNICATION SYSTEMSSYSTEMS
What form of communication will survive an explosion, fire ground fall or incident.
How will local conditions affect the function and scope for deploying emergency communications technology?
Can the equipment be designed such that no action or minimum action is required to activate and deploy the system?
Can the equipment be designed to communicate through the strata or through the overburden?
Is it possible to reliably broadcast a mine wide emergency warning? Can an independent communications system be deployed which
functions in underground environments, offers a range of kilometres and does not rely on existing communications or cable infrastructure in the mine if this is damaged?
COMMUNICATIONCOMMUNICATION
ISIS
VITALVITAL
To provide communications from permanent andmoveable emergency bases.
To provide communications to workers trapped by falls of ground, fire or inundations.
To provide communications between the incident control centre and fresh air base(s).
The fresh air base(s) and rescue team(s).
To provide data communications from environmentalmonitors at locations in the mine affected by theemergency.
To broadcast a mine-wide early warning in the event of an emergency.
THE AVAILABILITY OF EFFECTIVETHE AVAILABILITY OF EFFECTIVEGUIDANCE SYSTEMSGUIDANCE SYSTEMS
Long length, single-entry Long length, single-entry headingsheadings
Continuous mining sectionsContinuous mining sections
Roadways having hot and humidRoadways having hot and humidconditions and/or steep gradientsconditions and/or steep gradients
Extensive room and pillar Extensive room and pillar operationsoperations
Behaviour during exposure to a Behaviour during exposure to a major incident is associated with major incident is associated with disorientation, loss of direction disorientation, loss of direction and possible delays in donning and possible delays in donning respiratory protection.respiratory protection.
These elements create These elements create uncertainty, confusion and uncertainty, confusion and possible panic reactions possible panic reactions increasing risk to evacuees.increasing risk to evacuees.
Miners must be trained & re-trained in the Miners must be trained & re-trained in the fundamentals of the mine emergency escape fundamentals of the mine emergency escape plan, and required competency levels of plan, and required competency levels of understanding.understanding.
Self rescuer training and re-training on short Self rescuer training and re-training on short and long durations units must continue to and long durations units must continue to establish and reinforce levels of confidence and establish and reinforce levels of confidence and competence.competence.
In particular the change over of SCSRs in hostile In particular the change over of SCSRs in hostile atmosphere is critical. This cannot be rehearsed atmosphere is critical. This cannot be rehearsed too often.too often.
We must build on the strengths we have already We must build on the strengths we have already developed.developed.
Meeting pointMeeting point
Communication centreCommunication centre
Self rescuer exchange, long durationSelf rescuer exchange, long duration
First aid stationFirst aid station
Emergency equipment storageEmergency equipment storage
Fresh air supply etc.Fresh air supply etc.
Continue with the discussion and introduction of the Continue with the discussion and introduction of the refuge/mobile emergency base. System which refuge/mobile emergency base. System which allows:allows:
Short distance to travel from the Short distance to travel from the workplaceworkplace
Simulations repeatedly Simulations repeatedly show areas for show areas for improvement.improvement.
We all know the costs in We all know the costs in this area are high.this area are high.
We have not yet We have not yet reached best practice.reached best practice.
TheThealternativesalternatives
are farare farworse!!!worse!!!
REMEMBER
REMEMBER
THAT THAT
ANYTHING IS
ANYTHING IS
POSSIBLE
POSSIBLE
Largest & richest silver mine in USLargest & richest silver mine in US
Sunshine Mine - Kellogg, IdahoSunshine Mine - Kellogg, Idaho
This ship builder thought his design could not sink
This mayor thought his levees would hold
This mayor thought his levees would hold