Miners undertaking emergency response training simulations, conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Institute for Occupation Safety and Health (NIOSH), at mine sites and NIOSH’s Lake Lynn Laboratory, chose light vests, laser pointers and directional life lines as the most useful tools for travelling through smoke in underground mine emergencies.

The light vests and laser lights were recognised as the two best devices for identifying other personnel in smoky passageways and the life line and laser light were selected the most beneficial for negotiating travel through smoke and leading personnel to safety.

The simulations are part of NIOSH’s emergency response and research program, which aims to not only enhance the safety and the effectiveness of mine rescue teams and fire brigades, but also to evaluate and prove technology that can be used during rescue, exploration, fire fighting, and escape.

Fire prevention engineer and principal investigator Ron Conti said many of the devices used in the simulations had not yet gained approval for use in underground mines.

“Over the years we realised there wasn’t much technology available to rescue teams,” Conti said.

“We are trying to identify, develop and introduce the technology and to work with U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration to make this technology permissible in underground coal mines where the atmosphere can be explosive. For example, thermal imaging cameras can find a missing person in dense smoke or pinpoint the location of the fire, thus saving lives.”

Simulations are conducted at the Lake Lynn Laboratory where non-toxic smoke can be generated to vary visibility from zero to several feet. Oxygen deficient areas and methane zones can also be created.

Other simulations are done at actual mine sites. Smoke generators are set up in the mine passageways and the participants can travel through a few hundred feet of smoke using only the mine reflectors. Over the next several hundred feet, the participants use technology that NIOSH is evaluating to assist them in escaping through smoky passageways.

Different coloured chemical lightsticks and strobe lights are suspended from the roof and lightsticks are laid on the floor in the mine passageways. A directional life line is mounted on the rib and lighted lines point out possible escape routes. Each miner is given a laser, light vest and cap lamp to negotiate travel in the smoky passageways.

“Historically, underground mine rescue teams have mainly received training in simulated mine environments, usually on the surface, with placards to identify objects and hazards, or in the course of actual emergencies,” he said.

“Although these surface training exercises enhance their skill levels, it is extremely important that team members are provided with adequate exploration equipment and that training simulations are conducted in a realistic manner.”

About 1500 mining personnel have been trained to travel through smoke at NIOSH’s Lake Lynn laboratory and 1700 miners have participated in smoke evacuation training exercises at mine sites over the past five years.