Advanced Mine Rescue Training Coal Mines U.S. Department of Labor Mine Safety and Health Administration National Mine Health and Safety Academy Instruction Guide Series IG7 Revised 2 0 1 3 Visit the Mine Safety and Health Administration website at www.msha.gov CONTENTS Introduction Your Role as an Instructor Overview Module 1 – Surface Organization Module 2 – Mine Gases Module 3 – Mine Ventilation Module 4 – Exploration Module 5 – Fires, Firefighting, and Explosions Module 6 – Rescue of Survivors and Recovery of Bodies Module 7 – Mine Recovery Page Intentionally Left Blank Introduction Throughout history, miners have traveled underground secure in the knowledge that if disaster strikes and they become trapped in the mine, other miners will make every possible attempt to rescue them. This is the mine rescue tradition. Today’s mine rescue efforts are highly organized operations carried out by groups of trained and skilled individuals who work together as a team. Underground coal mine rescue team members must be trained according to the requirements under 30 CFR 49.18. Under Section 49.18(b)(4), this training must consist of advanced mine rescue training and procedures, as prescribed by MSHA's Office of Educational Policy and Development (EPD). This guide is designed to be used with the material in IG-7a, Advanced Skills Training, and both guides are needed to satisfy the advanced mine rescue training requirement. This guide is divided into self-contained units of study called “modules.” Each module covers a separate subject and includes suggestions, handouts, visuals, and text materials to assist you with training. Since regulations, policy and mining technology can change, be sure to check for information that could supersede this material. Visit MSHA’s website at http://www.msha.gov for additional information and updates. Your Role as an Instructor You are about to assume an important responsibility – that of building and maintaining a capable mine rescue team. What your team members learn during these training sessions could very well help to save their lives and the lives of their fellow miners. Keep this in mind as you proceed: be sure to let your trainees know that this program has been developed with their health and safety in mind. These training materials are as complete and self-contained as possible. Study the module before teaching the class so that you’ll be familiar with the material. Also, take time to review applicable regulations. Be flexible: take time to tailor the material to your team’s needs. Where a training exercise encompasses another mine rescue training requirement in Part 49, such as the requirement to wear an apparatus while in smoke, you may credit the team members under each requirement. Remember, the key to effective instruction is to be familiar and comfortable with the content. Overview The modules in this IG include: x Surface Organization x Mine Gases x Mine Ventilation x Exploration x Fires, Firefighting, and Explosions x Rescue of Survivors and Recovery of Bodies x Mine Recovery The modules are organized exactly the same way to help guide you logically through the lessons. Each module includes: x Training Objectives x Course Materials x Notes To Trainer x Instructional Text x Suggested Training Activities x Visuals and Handouts x Demonstration Checks x General Review Questions x Glossary NOTE TO TRAINER: Take time to thoroughly review objectives and materials in each section before you conduct training activities. Remember to always comply with the manufacturer’s recommendations use care, maintenance, and wearing of an SCBA. A Guide to Mine Rescue Training – Coal Surface Organization Module 1 Page Intentionally Left Blank Table of Contents Course Objectives ............................................................................................. 1-1 Course Materials ............................................................................................... 1-1 Course Outline .................................................................................................. 1-2 Instructor Notes and Suggested Lecture ........................................................... 1-3 Visuals ............................................................................................................. 1-11 Glossary .......................................................................................................... 1-15 1- i Page Intentionally Left Blank Course Objectives The mine rescue team will be able to identify the components of an effective mine res- cue and recovery surface organization and the role the team plays in this structure. Team members will: x Become familiar with the mine’s emergency notification plan. x Understand the importance of establishing a chain-of-command and identify the team’s place in this chain. x Identify various facilities and arrangements normally recommended for carrying out a rescue and recovery operation. x Identify the various personnel and duties normally involved in surface organiza- tion. Course Materials Required: x Handouts and visuals from the back of this module x Pencil and paper for each team member Suggested: x Mine’s Notification Plan x Laptop computer x PowerPoint program x Chalkboard or flipchart NOTE TO TRAINER: In addition to these materials, you are encouraged to incorporate any other up-to-date supplemental mine rescue instructional materials, handouts, and/or methods that will increase the effectiveness and retention of the training. 1-1 Course Outline I. The Mine’s Emergency Notification Plan II. Surface Arrangements A. Suggested facilities and services 1. Command center 2. Waiting area for teams 3. Bench area for apparatus 4. Security 5. Information center 6. Waiting area for families and friends 7. Press room 8. Food and sleeping quarters 9. Laboratory 10. Medical facilities 11. Temporary morgue III. Establishing a Chain-of-Command IV. Other Essential Duties and Personnel 1. Mine superintendent 2. Mine foreman 3. Mine clerk 4. Chief electrician 5. Chief mechanic or mechanical foreman 6. Outside foreman a. Check person 7. Safety director 8. Chief engineer 9. Supply clerk 10. Other company personnel 1-2 Instructor Notes and Suggested Lecture The Mine’s Emergency Notification Plan Each mine must have an Emergency Notification Plan for notifying necessary personnel when there is an emergency at the mine. This plan lists the various supervisors, administrators, and government officials who must be notified in case of an emergency. Federal regulations require mines to have and post a Mine Rescue Notification Plan for notifying all the mine rescue team members that will be needed to assist in the rescue and recovery operation (30 CFR Section 49.19). The mine’s notification plan should also include any other people or services that will be needed at the mine site such as police officers, supply clerks, telephone operators, medical personnel, ambulances and other emergency vehicles. NOTE TO TRAINER: Show the team a copy of their mine’s notification plan, if there is one available. Or you can use the sample emergency notification plan (Visual 1). Surface arrangements Surface arrangements cover a wide range of activities and require the coordinated efforts of many people. They include such tasks as establishing a command center where all the decisions are made, providing an adequate information center from which all public information is released, and obtaining and distributing necessary supplies and equipment. Command Center The Command Center is the hub of rescue and recovery operations and is typically staffed and controlled by a mine emergency “command group.” This group is generally comprised of mine management personnel, federal and state officials, and union representatives. The Command Center receives a tremendous amount of information and will require secure communications equipment connected to underground phones and to other surface phones; this will enable the command group to communicate vital information during the rescue/recovery operations. All decisions concerning the mine rescue teams (scheduling, assignments, tracking, rotations, and methods of exploration or firefighting are made by the Command Center. The decision process of the command group is sometimes time-consuming, but it is important to understand the impact a single decision will have on the entire operation. A hasty or wrong decision could mean disaster and the loss of life. 1-3 Security Having good security at the mine is important in order to keep the roads open and to ensure that curious bystanders do not hinder the mine rescue effort and are not injured while on the mine property. All roads and paths leading to the mine should be secured and guarded by assigned company personnel or police officers. Incoming traffic on the roads leading to the mine property should also be regulated by authorized personnel to keep unnecessary vehicles off the roads so that they can remain open for needed personnel, supplies, and emergency vehicles. Waiting Area for Teams When the teams arrive at the mine site, they should be checked in and assigned to a team area. The mine rescue team coordinators should develop a “rotation schedule” for the deployment of all teams called to the mine site. NOTE TO TRAINER: The rotation schedule should be designed so there is a clear working order and backup teams always available. Time should be allotted for teams to rest and to clean, test, and prepare their apparatus and other equipment. Refer to Visual 2 at the back of this module