The Glencore Xstrata-managed Hunter Valley longwall mine employs about 280 staff.

Along with the fast-fill stations, Wormald has supplied more than 250 of its Scot Safety Contour 100 self-contained breathing apparatus, which come with 6.8 litre carbon fibre tanks.

The breathing apparatus has a shoulder-mounted pressure gauge, a high-pressure cylinder connector and a Vision 3 face mask.

The SCBA’s are stored in moveable storage pods that are located at work sites within the mine and easily accessible to work groups in the event of an emergency.

Each pod holds 21 compressed air sets.

The fast-fill stations contain banks of compressed air cylinders that operate in an automatic-cascade system, based on the pressure in the cylinders.

These stations let users easily refill their breathing apparatus during escape without having to remove the cylinder.

Four users are able to connect to the stations at any one time.

Ravensworth’s Tony Galvin said ready access to safety equipment was vital.

“The breathing apparatus and systems supplied ensure that, in the event of an emergency, our miners have access to enough air to escape,” he said.