Coal Age

NOV 2014

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and the training of those who use them," he said. "Additionally, we believe that sup- port of competitions reinforces proper technique and the right level of knowledge for miners and mine rescuers to always be prepared." From Dräger's perspective, the biggest benefits to today's mine rescue crews is an unprecedented level of care and more rapid response than ever. "This better response comes from a con- tinuous cycle of learning and practice that allows for constant emergency prepared- ness," he said. "Dräger is always looking at ways to enhance technology to better equip today's mine rescue teams." New requirements and consistently changing safety regulations have resulted in an ever-changing plan of attack, as it were, for operations in terms of safety. While companies are always working goals around safety, the environment, and train- ing, the challenge for Dräger and others in the space is anticipating the changes ahead of time, then exceeding what is needed. Looking at the whole picture, the indus- try is doing well in terms of mine rescue, Armstrong said. "The formation of mine rescue organi- zations are a tremendous step in the sup- port of both miners and the industry as a whole," he said. "Due to a higher level of vigilance after disasters, there has been greater attention paid to safety with bet- ter equipment, more available equip- ment, and more frequent training. There's no question operators are on the right path." "There's [also] been an increase in res- cue competition and MERDs (mine emer- gency response development) exercises continue to allow miners to increase their skills. As long as there continues to be attention paid to knowledge and training, things will continue to get safer." Dräger, which has spent all of 2014 cele- brating its 125 th anniversary, has its widest- ever product solutions portfolio; its mining segments include gas detection and personal protective equipment such as filters and SCBAs; emergency response and planning; escape requirements including rescue and shelter systems; and workforce drug testing. The company also offers training on its products and ser- vices, both online and in person. Tracking Safety from Every Side Strata's well-known battery powered and completely wireless communications and tracking system, CommTrac, meets feder- al requirements for post-accident two- way communications and tracking. Its physical compactness and ease of installa- tion, lends itself perfectly to mine rescue operations. "The system remains operational post- accident and contact with the surface can be very quickly and easily re-established if there is a break in connection at the time of the event," the company said. "Rescue teams can carry in replacement nodes and set them up as they advance into the mine. "Connectivity and communication will automatically be re-established once the nodes are within range of operable nodes underground. Personnel in the central control room will immediately be able to c o m m u n i c a t e w i t h a n d t r a c k m i n e r s trapped underground, as well as watch the progression of the rescue teams." Leveraging the power and flexibility of CommTrac along with the versatility of U.K.-based Trolex Sentro 1 gas detectors, is one of Strata's newest collaborative efforts in the area of atmospheric monitoring. Intrinsically safe, battery-powered and completely wireless Strata/Trolex Sentro 1 detectors can be quickly deployed under- ground at a standard spacing of 1,000 ft along a belt drive, and lesser distances as may be required by individual mines or dictated by ventilation quality. In day-to-day use, detectors measure gas concentrations every second and report data every 90 seconds and the resulting data is then transmitted over CommTrac to a central surface control room. In emergency situations, the moni- m i n e r e s c u e c o n t i n u e d November 2014 www.coalage.com 37 Second Annual Mine Rescue Day The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration com- memorated the second annual Mine Rescue Day on Thursday, October 30, during a meeting of the Holmes Mine Rescue Association (HMRA) at the National Mine Health and Safety Academy in Beaver, West Virginia. The date for Mine Rescue Day was selected because of its historic signifi- cance; on October 30, 1911, the first national mine rescue demonstration was held in the United States, organized by Dr. Joseph A. Holmes, who, in 1910, was appointed as the first director of the U.S. Bureau of Mines by then-President William Howard Taft. Holmes and Taft attended the inaugural event at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh. On this date last year, the newly created national HMRA, which mine emergency response stakeholders overwhelmingly supported, formally came into existence. The HMRA provides support and guid- ance for mine rescue to the more than 13,000 mines throughout the country. It also serves as a vehicle to disseminate guidelines, training and tools to the min- ing community. I n 2 0 1 0 , M S H A b e g a n a n e x t e n s i v e r e v i e w o f m i n i n g c o m m u n i t y ' s m i n e emergency response strategies to identi- f y s h o r t c o m i n g s , a n d t h a t e v a l u a t i o n process has resulted in several actions and improvements, including technolo- gy developments, the addition of a new m i n e r e s c u e r e s p o n s e s t a t i o n i n Madisonville, Kentucky, to service the Midwest states, an upgrade to the agen- cy's mobile response vehicles and com- m a n d c e n t e r e q u i p m e n t , m o c k m i n e emergency events with mining compa- nies, the revision of criteria for mine res- cue team certification (it now includes hands-on skills training), and an over- h a u l o f n a t i o n a l m i n e r e s c u e t r a i n i n g contests. "Mine rescue is among the most risky and challenging rescue work undertaken in this country," said Joseph Main, assis- tant secretary of labor for mine safety and health. "These brave rescuers often travel miles in the dark, navigating underground mine workings filled with debris and poi- sonous and explosive gases after devas- tating mine fires, explosions or cave-ins, trying to find missing miners or recover- ing those who did not survive. We owe these volunteers from the mining com- munity the best training and support available for such high-risk missions. "And on Mine Rescue Day, we especial- ly owe them the recognition they deserve for putting their own lives on the line to help their fellow miners."

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