APSC 150
Engineering Case Studies
Case Study 3:
Mining and the Environment
Part 2: Mine Health and Safety
Lecture 3.5
Mine Rescue
Student Team Competitions
Chilean Mine Rescue
The Rescued Miners
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/12/world/americas/chiles-rescued-miners-facemajor-struggles-a-year-later.html?pagewanted=all
The Rescued Miners - Aftermath






Traveled the world, cruising Greek Islands,
visiting Britain, Israel, L.A., Disney World
Emotional and psychological problems
Most are unemployed and many are poorer
than before
Some receiving sick-leave pay for prolonged
post-traumatic stress
Some others are seeing private therapists
Four have returned to mining
The Rescued Miners - Aftermath





Edison Peña – Elvis impersonator and
runner – appeared on Lettermann
Now is an alcoholic and into drug rehab
Hollywood movie being developed which
may provide future funds
Most suffer from insomnia and nightmares
Chronic post-traumatic syndrome much like
veterans after returning from Vietnam and
Iraq
The Rescued Miners - Aftermath



Chilean mining magnate, Leonardo Farkas,
gave each miner more than $15,000 so they
could rest and recuperate.
Also gave free homes to two who were
marrying
Helped one miner find psychiatric care after
miner found his fiancée with another man
Survival Underground

Essential elements

Mine Refuge Stations located throughout the mine

Availability of Food

Availability of Water

Availability of Air and Ventilation

Lighting (and power)

Communications
Mine Rescue


Requires a team to coordinate all activities
Training is key - conducted on an on-going basis








fundamental principles of mine rescue
standard mine rescue procedures and equipment
legislation governing mine rescue
medical requirements of volunteers
mine gasses
respiratory protection to work in IDLH* conditions
care, use, maintenance, testing and servicing of
primary breathing apparatus (Drager BG4)
Successful completion results in a certificate
* IDHL = immediately dangerous to life and health
Additional Courses
Refresher Training
An active team member must attend 6 refresher
sessions per year
 Sessions include simulated emergencies
conducted in an underground environment
 Apply standardized competency-based mine
rescue practices and procedures

Additional Courses - 2
Advanced Certification

Participants must learn and demonstrate use of





primary and secondary breathing apparatuses
standard equipment
special rescue and extrication equipment
Written test completed on mine rescue functions
and procedures
Participants provided with a seal to attach to
their Mine Rescue certificate
Additional Courses - 3
Supervisory/Management Mine Rescue


Day 1: Supervisory mine rescue training



History of mine rescue, mine gases, breathing apparatus,
underground emergencies
Written exam (70 % required)
Day 2: Management mine rescue training



Designed for individuals likely to oversee mine emergencies
Understanding management roles and responsibilities
Case study analysis, Control Group training, and mine
emergency response workshops
Refresher training needed every 3-5 years
Dräger – technology for life!

Dräger is an international leader in the fields of medical and safety
technology. Founded in Lübeck, Germany in 1889, Dräger has
grown into a worldwide, DAX-listed enterprise in its fifth generation
as a family-run business. Our long-term success is predicated on a
value-oriented corporate culture with four central strengths: close
collaboration with our customers, the expertise of our employees,
continuous innovation and outstanding quality.
Key Equipment
Underground rescue operations require the use of specific
and specialized equipment for mine rescue teams.
Purchasing of equipment is done centrally to ensure
standardization between districts and mines.
All personnel trained in mine rescue must be familiar with
the equipment shown to allow teams to aid and assist each
other without the fear of being unable to adequately
operate rescue equipment.
Whenever a mine rescue operation is required, teams
come from many parts of the country and continent.
Key Equipment
Drager BG4
The Drager BG4 is a closed-circuit
breathing apparatus that provides
up to 4 hours of breathing air. An
electronic monitoring unit allows the
briefing officer to monitor team
members from outside the incident.
Key Equipment
Test-it 6100 Testers
The Test-it 6100 tester measures
the flow and pressure of BG4s.
The tester comes in a suitcase
designed for easy portability.
Key Equipment
CAREVent DRA Automatic
Rescue Ventilator
The CAREvent Ventilator is lightweight
and portable. The unit provides a safe
and effective means of providing
demand breathing or artificial ventilation
to casualties suffering respiratory
difficulties or cardiac arrest. The
ventilator is pneumatic (i.e., no batteries
required) and gives breath by breath
consistency in delivered tidal volume,
frequency, and flow rates.
Key Equipment
iTX Multi-Gas Monitor
The iTX multi-gas monitor is a portable,
battery-powered gas detection device
that can measure up to six different
gases at once. The iTX can log up to
300 hours of survey data at one-minute
intervals.
Key Equipment
SSR 90 M
The SSR 90 M is a selfcontained, oxygen-generating
rescue device for casualties
during rescue operations.
Mine rescue personnel carry
the SSR 90 M underground
and are able to provide the
casualty with at least 90
minutes of breathing air. The
unit weights 10.3 lbs.
CSE Self-Contained Self Rescue
(SCSR) Breathing Apparatus
SR-100
The SR-100 is worn on a belt for quick access in an
emergency. It provides 60 minutes of breathable air.
The SR1-00 is a chemical-based re-breather, which
recycles exhaled breath, chemically removing CO2 and
replenishes it with O2.
It is used in mining, tunnelling, the armed forces,
chemical plants, pulp/paper plants, water treatment
plants and confined space entry situations where
immediate reliable access to O2 is needed.
Weight: 2.6 kg when carried and 2.2 kg in use
Key Equipment
GripTech SP2 Rope Rescue
System
The SP2 is a rope rescue system
that allows rescuers to be lowered
vertically or horizontally from one
level to another, or to raise victims
to a surface area. It requires an
adequate anchor point. The system
is often used for confined space
rescue.
Key Equipment
Enerpac 1250 Self-Contained
Hydraulic Bolt Cutter
Self-contained, high-pressure
cylinder with a guillotine-type cutter
and a rotating head that can
achieve a shearing force of 20 tons.
The cutter does not actually cut the
material, rather it is sheared.
Key Equipment
Darda Hydraulic Splitter
A wedge-type splitter with a splitting force up to 350 tons at 7,100
psi. The splitter consist of two cylinders. The upper cylinder houses
the piston which moves a wedge in the lower cylinder. A control
valve to extend or retract the wedge is operated by a single lever.
When the lever is placed in a forward position, the wedge advances
and the two feathers are forced
against the wall of the hole and, with
100s of tons of pressure, to tear rock
or concrete apart. Depending on
materials, a break may occur in 1060 seconds.
Key Equipment
Maxiforce Lifting Bags
Multi-application, portable inflation
system used to lift and displace
heavy rigid objects. They are
designated for use in emergency
situations such as structural
collapse and containment, vehicular
extrications, industrial entrapment,
and excavation collapse. Since the
air bags contain no spark-producing
parts, they can be used in explosive
environments.
Key Equipment
MSA Thermal Imaging
Cameras
The MSA Thermal Imaging Camera
is a self-contained, battery-operated
unit incorporating a miniature
display monitor. It is intended
primarily for use as a firefighting
aid, giving good quality thermal
pictures through dense smoke
where normal vision is impossible.
Mine Rescue in B.C.




B.C.'s mining laws require trained mine rescue personnel and mine
rescue equipment be maintained at all mines.
Basic mine rescue training courses are conducted at mines across the
province so miners have an opportunity to learn the necessary skills
Many hours of training and practice are needed to develop a
competent mine rescue team to work together and collaborate and
coordinate with other teams to accomplish rescue objectives.
Every year, the Provincial Mine Rescue and First Aid Competition
offers mine rescue and three-person miner first aid teams a unique
opportunity to display their skills.
56th Annual Provincial Mine Rescue and First Aid Competition
June 2011, Revelstoke Community Centre, 600 Campbell Ave., Revelstoke, B.C.
Mine Rescue in B.C.




B.C.'s mining laws require trained mine rescue personnel and mine
rescue equipment be maintained at all mines.
Basic mine rescue training courses are conducted at mines across the
province so miners have an opportunity to learn the necessary skills
Many hours of training and practice are needed to develop a
competent mine rescue team to work together and collaborate and
coordinate with other teams to accomplish rescue objectives.
Every year, the Provincial Mine Rescue and First Aid Competition
offers mine rescue and three-person miner first aid teams a unique
opportunity to display their skills.
56th Annual Provincial Mine Rescue and First Aid Competition
June 2011, Revelstoke Community Centre, 600 Campbell Ave., Revelstoke, B.C.
“Canada’s First University Mine Rescue
Team”
What is Mine Rescue?

Highly trained multi-disciplinary team tasked with
the mission of rescuing trapped miners due to
an incident at a mine
Why do they exist?

Things can go wrong: Human or Nature



US Coal Mines
Chile Mine Rescue
Daily Operations
Safety in the Workplace


If your not working safe, you shouldn’t be
working
“Safety is NOT a Priority, it is a Value”
UBC Mine Rescue Team

Founded to create a culture of safety at
UBC



First for Canada



Develop risk management skills
Enhance skill sets
One of only a few in the world
Corporate Sponsorships
Attended competition in Denver, Colorado
Team Breakdown

6 person team;






1# Captain
2# Ventilation
3# First Aid
4# Specialty Tools
5# Vice Captain
Briefing Officer
Equipment: BG-4

Closed Circuit Breathing Apparatus
Equipment: Stretcher

Dual Purposed
Equipment: Special Tools
 Ropes
 SCSR
 Fire
Equipment
 Thermal Imager
 Splitter/Cutter
 Gas Meter
 Captains Tools
Incident Response
 What
happens when the emergency call comes
in?
Team alerted – Briefing Officer prepares
 Situation outlined
 Travel to site: Under Oxygen
 Proceed to incident as planned
 Carry out rescue/recon
 Report
 Return

Hazards & Risk Management





Asses the situation
Team ensures safety of route – Retreat!?
Ventilation – Gasses
Risk vs. Reward
Team always comes first
Communication & Teamwork



Captain is responsible
Team is complementary
Trust
Impact at UBC



Raised awareness of safety
Established ties with industry
Team member skill development
http://www.9news.com/video/default.aspx?bctid=802512256001&odysse
y=mod#/Mine+safety+training/802512256001
http://www.9news.com/video/default.aspx?bctid=802512256001&odysse
y=mod#/Mine+safety+training/802512256001
UBC Mine Rescue wins 1st Biannual
Inter-collegiate Mine Rescue Competition
8 undergraduates in the Mining Engineering department at UBC won the first
Inter-collegiate mine rescue competition hosted by Colorado School of Mines
last week in Denver.
The competition took place at CSM’s Edgar Mine outside of Denver. Each team
was pushed to their breaking point. Real fires, smoke and patient actors were
used to increase the reality of the simulation and to expose each team to a real
life scenario in a controlled environment.
The UBC team demonstrated incredible teamwork and communication in
rescuing multiple victims and building temporary rock support that led to the
capture of the title.
http://bcminingblog.com/ubcminerescue/2011/03/03/ubc-minerescue-wins-1st-biannual-inter-collegiate-mine-rescue-competition/

Won 1st ever collegiate mine rescue
competition
UBC Mine Rescue Champions - 2011
All-Women Mine Rescue Team

Colorado School of Mines
All-Women Mine Rescue Team

Colorado School of Mines
All-Women Mine Rescue Team
Colorado School of Mines
http://video.denver.cbslocal.com/global/video/flash/popupplayer.asp?vt1=v&clipForma
t=flv&clipId1=5603364&at1=News&h1=Rescuers&rnd=86508038
All-Women Mine Rescue Team
Colorado School of Mines
Conclusion
The best mine rescue team is the
one you never have to use, but
until then…
Questions????