Western Canada Mine Rescue Manual Ministry of Energy and Mines Office of the Chief Inspector of Mines
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Western Canada Mine Rescue Manual Ministry of Energy and Mines Office of the Chief Inspector of Mines Victoria British Columbia Canada December 31, 1998 Revised 2014-15 This manuscript is for educational purposes only. Nothing herein is to be regarded as indicating approval or disapproval of any specific product or practice. 1-1 1-2 Foreword Every mine has to maintain a mine rescue team to help ensure the safety of workers and property on mine sites throughout B.C., Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut. This manual has been crafted to demonstrate the basic equipment, procedures, practices, and principles that mine rescue trainees need to know before they respond to incidents at surface and underground mining operations. Mine Rescue teams have bravely responded to incidents and disasters throughout northern and western Canada for more than a century. It is through their training and practice that they have been able to come back safe and sound. Likewise, mine officials must also be familiar with their roles and responsibilities in the event of an emergency. Proper instruction must be complemented by individual and collective efforts to master the skills, equipment, and knowledge needed to execute a mine emergency response. This manual and training course represent the first steps you will take toward being able to answer that call. There are all sorts of incidents and emergencies that Mine Rescue teams can encounter, including electrical fires, gas leaks, avalanches, and motor vehicle accidents. Mine Rescue can be dangerous work, especially if it is not performed properly. Rescuers are responsible first for their safety and the safety of their team, but some responses will also require that they tend to casualties in need of assistance. In consulting the most up-to-date research as well as experts in government and industry, the committee who created this manual have endeavoured to make certain that the information found in these pages is as reliable, applicable, and above all, safe as possible. Your Mine Rescue training will not end when you finish this manual and course. Being a part of a Mine Rescue team means committing to a practice regime with your fellow Mine Rescuers to establish the cohesion, communication, and trust needed to function in the stressful environment of an emergency response. At times you may be called upon to assist in responses at other mining operations or to emergencies off-site. Wherever your Mine Rescue training takes you, wear the “MINE RESCUE” sticker on your hat with the pride and responsibility that it deserves. Al Hoffman Bruce Milligan Peter Bengts Chief Inspector of Mines, Director, Chief Inspector of Mines, Ministry of Energy and Mines Occupational Health and Safety Worker’s Safety & British Columbia Yukon Workers' Compensation Compensation Commission Yukon Northwest Territories and Nunavut 1-3 Contents Chapter 1 Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 1-1 INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................................... 1-2 FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF MINE RESCUE TRAINING ..................................................................... 1-2 REQUIREMENTS FOR MINE RESCUE TRAINING ..................................................................................... 1-2 MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS .................................................................................................................. 1-3 MINE RESCUE CERTIFICATION................................................................................................................ 1-3 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .......................................................................................................................... 1-3 Chapter 2 Mine Rescue Organization ........................................................................................................ 2-1 OBJECTIVES ............................................................................................................................................ 2-2 CONCEPTS AND DEFINTIONS ................................................................................................................. 2-2 THE MINE RESCUE TEAM ....................................................................................................................... 2-2 COMMUNICATION BY TEAM MEMBERS ................................................................................................ 2-5 DECISION-MAKING PROCESSES ............................................................................................................. 2-5 PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT .................................................................................................... 2-7 FRESH-AIR BASE/ZONE ........................................................................................................................... 2-7 FIRST REPSONSE TO HAZARDOUS MATERIALS ...................................................................................... 2-8 PHYSICAL/EMOTIONAL STRESS IN CRITICAL INCIDENTS ........................................................................ 2-8 Chapter 3 Environmental Conditions ......................................................................................................... 3-1 OBJECTIVES ............................................................................................................................................ 3-2 CONCEPTS AND DEFINITIONS ................................................................................................................ 3-2 AVALANCHE RESCUE GEAR .................................................................................................................... 3-4 ICE TRAVEL ............................................................................................................................................. 3-4 THERMAL STRESS ................................................................................................................................... 3-6 Chapter 4 Electrical Hazards ...................................................................................................................... 4-1 OBJECTIVES ............................................................................................................................................ 4-2 CONCEPTS AND DEFINITIONS ................................................................................................................ 4-2 INJURIES CAUSED BY SHOCKS AND ELECTROCUTIONS .......................................................................... 4-5 ELECTRICAL HAZARDS ENCOUNTERED BY SPECIFIC WORK GROUPS ..................................................... 4-8 GUIDELINES FOR ELECTRICAL EMERGENCIES ........................................................................................ 4-9 Chapter 5 Gases and Hazardous Atmospheres .......................................................................................... 5-1 OBJECTIVES ............................................................................................................................................ 5-2 1-2 CONCEPTS AND DEFINITIONS ................................................................................................................ 5-2 ATMOSPHERIC HAZARDS DURING AND AFTER FIRES .......................................................................... 5-21 Chapter 6 Rescue Tools .............................................................................................................................. 6-1 OBJECTIVES ............................................................................................................................................ 6-2 CONCEPTS AND DEFINITIONS ................................................................................................................ 6-2 GENERAL SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS ...................................................................................................... 6-2 ROTATING TOOLS ................................................................................................................................... 6-2 PUSHING, PULLING, AND LIFTING TOOLS .............................................................................................. 6-2 PRYING AND SPREADING TOOLS ............................................................................................................ 6-3 STRIKING TOOLS ..................................................................................................................................... 6-3 CUTTING TOOLS ..................................................................................................................................... 6-4 ENERGY SOURCES .................................................................................................................................. 6-4 HAZARDOUS ATMOSPHERE AND SPILL TOOLS ...................................................................................... 6-5 FIRE APPLIANCES .................................................................................................................................... 6-5 MISCELLANEOUS TOOLS ........................................................................................................................ 6-6 Chapter 7 Gas Detection Instruments ....................................................................................................... 7-1 OBJECTIVES ...........................................................................................................................................